:.      •  ' 


LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


977.3375 


UNIVERSITY  OF 

ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 

AT  UR2AIMA-CHAMPAIGN 

ILL.  HIST.  SURVEY 

I  .H.S. 


RECORDS 


OK, 


FIFTY  YEARS  ON  THE  PRAIRIES. 


KMBRACING 


SKETCHES   OF  THE  DISCOVERY,   EXPLORATION   AND 
SETTLEMENT   OF  THE   COUNTRY, 


TICK 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTIES  OF  PUTNAM  AND  MARSHALL, 
INCIDENTS  AND  REMINISCENCES  CONNECTED  THERE- 
WITH,   BIOGRAPHIES    OF    CITIZENS,    POR- 
TRAITS AND   ILLUSTRATIONS. 


BY    SFE3STOER.    ELLSWORTH. 


LACON,  ILL. 

HOME  JOURNAL  STEAM  PRINTING  ESTABLISHMENT. 

MDOCCLXJCX. 


Q 


PREFACE. 


In  the  following  pages  we  have  endeavored  to  trace  the  early  settle- 
ment of  that  portion  of  our  State  embraced  in  the  counties  of  Putnam 
and  Marshall,  gathering  up  the  forgotten  records  of  each  township  and 
neighborhood,  and  telling  for  the  benefit  of  their  descendants  the  story  of 
the  brave  men  and  women  who  wrested  their  homes  from  the  savage,  and 
turned  a  desert  into  the  fairest  land  that  beams  beneath  the  sun. 

It  is  not  a  "history,"  and  does  not  claim  to  be,  nor  should  it  be  judged 
as  such,  but  in  its  pages  we  have  sought  to  tell  in  plain,  simple  language, 
the  story  of  our  ancestors'  lives,  and  string  together  for  the  amusement 
and  instruction  of  their  descendants  1he  hiddenls  and  happenings- 
solemn,  grotesque  or  ludicrous  as  they  were — that  made  up  the  warp  and 
?woof  of  their  daily  existence. 

The  old  settlers  are  fast  passing  away.     Many  prominent  actors  in 

the  scenes  here  depicted  have  paid  the  debt  of   nature,  and  the  story 

of  their  lives  is  well  nigh  forgotten.     But  a  few  years  more,  and  we 

shall  see  the  last  of  that  noble  band  carried  to  their  final  home.    Much 

that  is  valuable  has  already  passed  into  oblivion,  and  to  rescue  what 

'remains  has  been  our  study.    The  faithfulness  with  which  it  has  been  per- 

;  formed  can  best  be  judged  by  the  public. 

At  the  outset  of  our  task  it  was  found  that  to  reconcile  dates  and 
even  statements  of  the  same  occurrence  was  impossible.    Our  sole  depend- 
I  ence  was    restricted  to  the   uncertain  memory  of  a  few  feeble  men  and 
women,  who  had  reached  the  stage  of  life  when  the  "grasshopper  is  a  bur- 
den," and  forgetfulness  is  courted  rather  than  deprecated.    Human  nature 
r  is  weak,  and  forty  years  of  slowly  revolving  time  dims  the  brightest 
,  images  graven  on  the  tablets  of  the  mind.     At  first  we  strove  to  reconcile 
-  these  conflicting  variations  and  strike  a  balance  of  probabilities,  but  the 
task  was  so  hopeless  that  it  was  abandoned,  and  the  plan  adopted  of  giv- 
ing each  statement  as  received  and  allowing  it  to  pass  for  what  it  was 


worth.  Circumstances  have  compelled  a  more  hurried  preparation  of  the 
literary  portion  of  the  work  than  was  intended  or  desirable,  but  such  as 
it  is  we  send  it  forth. 

Success  in  life  is  not  the  effect  of  accident  or  of  chance;  it  is  the  result 
of  the  intelligent  application  of  certain  fixed  principles  to  the  affairs  of 
every  day.  Each  man  must  make  this  application  according  to  the  circum- 
stances by  which  he  is  surrounded,  and  he  can  derive  no  better  assistance 
or  encouragement  in  his  struggles  than  from  the  example  of  those  whose 
advantages  were  meagre  and  worthless  compared  witli  ours.  He  who 
peruses  the  records  of  those  early  pioneers  will  surely  find  principles  which 
he  can  safely  cairy  into  his  own  life  and  use  for  his  own  advancement. 

In  these  latter  days,  when  every  acre  nearly  is  appropriated  by  the 
husbandman  or  covered  with  thriving  towns  and  cities,  it  seems  strange 
to  read  of  the  trials  of  those  who  first  broke  the  soil  and  opened  the  way 
for  them  that  followed.  It  seems  so  far  back  when  these  incidents  oc- 
curred that  one  can  hardly  imagine  it  was  only  the  fathers  of  the  people 
of  to-day  of  whom  we  write. 

With  every  comfort  the  mind  of  man  can  devise,  with  every  want 
supplied  by  the  creations  of  these  later  years,  we  look  back  upon  the 
lives  of  our  nearest  ancestors  as  tales  of  an  olden  time,  coeval  almost  with 
the  days  when  "Adam  delved  and  Eve  span."  But  those  deeds  of  hero- 
ism, those  days  of  toil,  those  nights  of  danger  were  all  experienced,  were 
all  accomplished  by  the  sires  whose  descendants  we  are. 

There  lives  to-day  but  a  remnant  of  that  pioneer  band,  fast  drifting  on 
to  the  confines  of  time,  where  they  shall  leave  behind  forever  the  recol- 
lections of  those  early  days,  and  pass  beyond  into  the  glorious  rewards  of 
their  trials  and  sorrows.  But  their  good  deeds  will  live  after  them;  they 
will  not  be  "interred  with  their  bones."  The  record  of  their  lives  is  the 
property  of  their  descendants,  and  in  the  pages  of  this  volume  we  shall 
endeavor  to  tell  their  story  so  that  "he  who  runs  may  read,"  and  take 
some  useful  lessons  from  the  experience  of  those  gone  before. 

In  conclusion  we  desire  to  thank  all  who  have  aided  in  furnishing  the 
information  desired.  Everywhere  we  met  nothing  but  kindness,  and 
gladly  would  we  name  them,  were  it  not  that  it  would  involve  another 
volume  to  contain  them  all.  Individually  they  are  due,  and  we  desire  to 
thank  J.  G.  Armstrong,  who  industriously  assisted  in  collecting  and  col- 
lating our  information ;  the  Revs.  J.  G.  Evans,  Price  and  Bruce ;  John 


Bettis,  of  Truckee,  Cal.;  Jas.  G.  Allen,  of  Omaha;  Thomas  Judd,  of 
Evans;  Nathaniel  Smith,  of  Nineveh,  N.  Y.;  and  the  Hon.  G.  L.  Fort; 
also  Frank  B.  Hazleton,  of  Chicago,  overseer  of  the  mechanical  part,  who 
has  patiently  and  faithfully  performed  his  work ;  and  finally  the  com- 
positors, one  and  all,  who  assisted  in  its  preparation.  We  desire  likewise 
to  express  our  indebtedness  to  Henry  A.  Ford's  "History  of  Marshall  and 
Putnam  Counties,"  "Ford's  History  of  Illinois,"  N.  M.  Matson's  "Reminis- 
cences of  Bureau  County,"  Baldwin's  "History  of  La  Salle  County,"  and 
A.  N.  Ford  for  access  to  his  newspaper  files. 

As  regards  the  literary  value  of  the  work  we  have  nothing  to  say,  and 
do  not  now  expect  to  see  it  appreciated ;  but  there  will  assuredly  come 
a  time  when  the  information  laboriously  sought  and  perhaps  clumsily 
gir-en  will  be  valued,  and  then  our  labors  will  be  appreciated. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


DISCOVERY    OF    AMERICA.  PAOES. 

CHAPTER  [.—Christopher  Columbus— His  Theory,  Plans  and  Difficulties— First  and  Second  Voyage*,  and 
Discovery  of  the  West  Indies— Other  Exph.rtrf,— Tbiid  Vojage  of  Columbus— Americus  Vespucci— 
Honor  to  whom  honor  is  due  17—  19 

CHAPTER  II.— Evidences  of  Former  Discovery— Icelandic  Explorations  from  A.  D.  986  to  1437-Herjnlfson, 

Lief  Erickson.  I  horwald  Erickson,  Thorfin  Karlsefne— Belies  of  Icelandic  Occupancy ' 20—  21 

THE   VALLEY    OF    THE   MISSISSIPPI. 

CHAPTER  III.— The  Garden  Spot  of  the  World— The  Father  of  Waters  Discovered  by  the  Spaniards— Ex- 
plorations of  Ponce  de  Leon,  Narvaez  and  De  Soto— Other  Spanish  Expeditions 22—26 

SETTLEMENT    OF    CANADA. 

CHAPTER  IV.— French  Fishermen  in  Newfoundland— French'Explorations— Cortereal,  Cartier,  Le  Jenne, 
Marauette,  Nicolet— Discovery  ot  the  St.  Lawrence— Founding  Catholic  Missions— Voyage  down  the 
Mississippi  and  up  the  Illinois 27—  36 

CHVPTEHV.— Cavalier  de  La  Salle  and  his  explorations— Hospitality  of  the  Natives— Dangers  and  Hard- 
ships Encountered — Father  Hennepin,  his  Relijious  Zaal  and  latreput  Courage 36 —  42 

CHAPTER  VI.— Further  Explorations  of  La  Salle— Down  the  Mississippi  to  its  mouth— A  mid-winter  trip 

through  Illinois- Starved  K«ck  fortified 43-48 

PRE-HISTORIC    RACES. 
CHAPTER  VII.— The  Mound  Builders— Evidences  of  their  Civilization.  Occupations  and  Characteristics 

—  Mounds  and  Earthworks  in  Putnam  and  Marshall  Counties 49 —  51 

ABORIGINES    AND    EARLY    SETTLERS. 

CHAPTER  VIII.— The  Indians— Their  Habits,  Customs,  Characteristics,  Religion  and  Superstitions— In- 
dians of  Putnam  and  Marshall  Counties 52—  58 

CH  VP  PER  IX.— First  Permanent  settlement  of  lllionis— Early   French  Settlers— Kaskaskia  in  1763-The 

County  of  Illinois— Mikts  and  Jtkes— Peoria  in  1778 59—65 

CHAPTER  X.— The  Massacre  at  Fort  Dearborn— Gen.  Hull  orders  the  Fort  evacuated— Implacable  Hostility 

of  the  Indians — Heroism  of  the  Women — Murder  of  the  wounded  after  the  surrender 66—  70 

CHAPTER  XI.— Destruction  of  Peoria— Isolated  condition  of  the  People— Dastardly  Conduct  of  Capt. 

Craig  and  his  "  Troops"— Hospitality  of  the  Indian  Chief  Gomo 71-   73 

CHAPTER  XII.- Extermination  of  the  Buffalo— Frozen  by  thousands  and  Suffocated  in  Droves— Father 

Buche'n  Description  of  a  Buffalo  Hunt  and  his  Narrow  E-usipe  from  Death 74—76 

ILLINOIS    BECOMES  A  STATE. 

CHAPTER  XI11-— The  Compact  of  Freedom— Indian  Territory  and  the  "Vinsain  Legislator"— The  Territory 
of  Illinois— First  Legislature  and  First  Governor— Admi-wion  as  a  State—  The  Randolph  County  Cove- 
nanters—The nrst  Wedding , 76—78 

PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

CHAPTER  XlV.-Earliest  Settlers— First  Houses— Boundaries  of  the  County— Location  of  the  County  Seat 
—First  Election  -County  Offices  and  Incumbents— Court  House  and  Jail— Ferry  and  Ferry  Kates- 
Revenues,  Surveys,  etc.,— Division  of  the  County— Early  Records 79—  97 


THE   BLACK   HAWK  WAR.  PAOES. 

CHAPTER  XV.— The  Treaty  of  1804— Character  of  Black  Hawk- Beginning  of  Hostilities— Fruitless  Cam- 
paign of  General  Gainea— A  Brief  Peace  and  Renewal  of  Hostilities 98—104 

CHAPTER  XV I. -Disastrous  Defeat  of  Major  Stillman— Narrative  of  E.  S.  Jones— Particpanta  in  the  Still- 
man  Campaign  sinoe  Famous—  Incident*  of  the  Defeat— Shaubena'a  Friendly  Warning— Savage  Cru- 
elty of  the  Indians,  and  Shameless  Indignities  upon  the  bodies  of  murdered  Females 106-112 

CHiPTER  XVII.— The  Captivity  of  Sylvia  and  Rachel  Hall— Their  Treatment  by  the  Indians,  and  Final 

Ransom  -Other  Fiendish  Murderi  and  Outrages  by  the  Indians 115—120 

CHAPTER  XVIII.— The  Militia  called  out- Muster  Rolls  of  Putnam  County  Volunteers— Measures  taken 

for  Local  Defenae-The  Murder  of  Elijah  Phillips— Death  of   Adam  Payne 121—127 

CHAPTER  XIX.— Continuation  of  the  Campaign -Murder  of  8.  Vrain— Attack  by  Blank  Hawk  upon  Apple 
River  Fort,  and  its  vigorous  and  successful  defense  by  the  brave  little  garrison— Battle  of  Pecatonica 
—Instances  of  Individual  Heroism 128—138 

CH  U'TK  K  XX.— OH  plain  Stephenson's  Desperate  Skirmish . .  A  Spirited  Campaign  Inaugurated— Black  Hawk 
Driven  Northwest— Burnt  Village — I  he  Bad  Lands  of  Wisconsin— Improvidence  of  the  Volunteers- 
Operations  Suspended  to  Procure  Supplies 187—142 

CHAP1ER  XXI. -A  New  Disposition  of  Forces—  Insubordination  at  the  Outeet— Treacherous  Guides— i 
Forced  March— Rapid  hetreat  of  the  Indians,  and  a  Vigorous  Pursuit — Brought  to  Bay  and  Badly- 
Whipped— Indians  Retreat  by  Night  across  the  Wisconsin  River— Pursuit,  and  Battle  of  Bad  Axe — 
Treaty  of  Peace  Signed— Death  of  Black  Hawk 143^164 

HENNEPIN    TOWNSHIP. 
CHiPTEB  XXII.— Topography -The  City  of  Hennepin -Old  Time  Records-Pioneers— The  Ferry— Stage 

Lines— Religous  Organizations— Schools— Benevolent   Societies— Bnel  Institute  -  Mills 165—176 

CHAPTER  XXItl.— Incidents  and  Anec  lotes— Great  Suows-OJd  Characters- A  Negro  gold  under  the  Vag- 
rant Act- Hard  for  Bachelors— A  Preacher  Atihwi  rid  -  Out  of  Mfat— A  Wolf  Story— A  Still  Hunt— A 
Starved  Recruit— Jail  Burned— A  Pioneer  Express— Indians  Outwitted  —Fastidious  Travelers— The 
Indian's  Ride 177—191 

CHAPTER  XXIV.— A  Noted  Burglary— Discovery,  Pursuit  and  Capture  of  the  Burglars— Brazen  Conduct 

ot  Molly  Holbrook— Escape  and  Re-capture  of  the  Pris-iners 192—197 

CHAPTER  XXV.- Union  Grove— First  Bettlein-Schools—  An  Early  Bible  Society—  A  Pioneer's  Story— The 

First  Church— The  Village  of  Florid— Fort  Cribs- Newspapers  of  Putnam  County 198—20* 

MAGNOLIA    TOWNSHIP. 
CHAP  TEB  XXVI.— General  Description— Railroads— The  Earliest  Settlers— The  Village  of  Magnolia— The 

Society  of  Friends— The  Old  School  House-Jeremiah  Strawn's  Fort 207—217 

CHAPTER  XXVII.-The  Good  Old  Times— Joys  and  Sorrows  of  Pioneer  Life-Social  Customs  and  Domes- 
tic Economy— Wages  and  Cost  of  Living— Strawn's  Prairie—  Robbery  of  Jerimiah  Strawn  —Birch's  Con- 
fession— Aaron  Payne  -  Pioneer  Plows— Recollections  of  Mrs.  Geo.  Hiltabrand 218—231 

CHAPTER  XXVIII.  -Benjamin  Lundy,  Philanthropist  and  Abolitionist— Efforts  in  Behalf  of  Universal 
Emancipation— Old  Time  "Shivarees"— Stealing  a  Squaw— Indian  Neighbors— An  Indian  Sign  of 
Peace— A  Girl  who  wanted  to  Marry 232—245 

CHAPTER  XXIX.— Ox  Bow  Prairie— Early  Settlers— David  Boyle's  Primitive  Cabin- Hard  Times— Indian 

Alarms— Game— Wolf  Hunts— The  Devil  Turned  Informer— Misplaced  Confidence 246—251 

C'HAPTCR  XXX  —Old  Mills  of  Magnolia  and  Vicinity— The  First  Orchard— The  Great  Snow— Incidents  of 
the  Sudden  Freeze— An  Underground  Railway  Station— Hunting  Stories— Home-made  Cloth— The 
Village  of  Mt.  Palatine— Churches— Accidents  and  Incidents— An  Immense  Pigeon  Roost 252—265 

SENACHWINE   TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XXXI.-  Topography  and  General  Description— Early  Settlers- First  Religious  Services-Senach- 
wine's  Indian  Village— Indians  at  Senachwine's  Grave — How  a  Woman  Shot  a  Deer—  Senachwine 
Branch  U.  G.  Railway-The  Murder  of  McKee— Sickness-  Old  Time  Surgery 266—275 

GRANVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XXXII.-Topograpby— First  Settlers-The  Village  of  Granville— Churches— Labors  in  behalf  of 
Education— (Jranville  Academy-Old  School  Houses— An  Obliging  Tramp— The  Hopkin's  Tragedy— 
The  Ramsay  Tragedy— Lynching  of  "  Joe  Smith  "—Harder  of  Dowhower— Lost  on  the  Prairie— Anec- 
dotes. Incidents,  Etc 276—304 


MARSHALL    COUNTY.  pAl}Eg> 

CHAPTER  XXXIII.- Organization  of  the  County— Selecting  a  County  Seat- -Topography  of  the  County— 
Election  ot  County  Officers — County  Commissioners'  Court — Attempt  to  Impeach  County  Clerk  dban- 
non— Revenue  from  Taxes— Organization  of  Townships— Early  Records— Court  Houses  and  Jails 307—319 

CHAPTER  XXXIV.— The  Western  Air  Line  Railroad-Miserable  Failure  of  a  Grand  and  Meritorious  Pro- 
ject—Liberal Local  Investments  in  the  Capital  Stock— President  Schenck's  Mission  in  Europe— The 
Enterprise  linineo.  by  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 320 — 321 

LACON    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XXXV.— Topography  and  General  Description— The  City  of  Lacon,  its  Location  and  Surround- 
ings—Business Beginnings— Early  Settlers— Flouring  Mill  Built— Ferry  Established— Pork  Packing- 
Educational  Interests— Lacon  Woolen  Mill— The  Ferry 822—344 

CHAPTER  XXXVI.—!  irganization  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Licon,  and  List  of  Original  Members— 
M.  E.  Church  Organized — Successive  Pastors  of  Lacon  Circuit  and  Lacon  Station — The  Baptist  Church 
of  Lacon— Catholic  Cnurch— Congregational  Church— Episcopal  Church— Benevolent  Societies— News- 
papers— The  Bar— Lacon  in  the  War 345—356 

CHAPTEK  XXXVII.— Crow  Creek  and  Vicinity— First  Settlers— Crow  Creek  Mills— Crow  Creek  Council— 
"  Free  State  '<—  *n  Old  Pioneer—  In  Incident  of  the  Black  Hawk.War— Wild  Hogs— An  Indian  Riot- 
Frozen  to  Death— Cy  Bowles  and  Big  Bill  Hoover 357-370 

HENRY    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII.--General  Description— Pioneers  of  the  Township— The  Town  of  Henry— Early  Im- 
provements—Religions  Organizations  of  Henry— Educational  Institutions— Benevolent  Societies— 
Ni-wspapers  of  Henry— Crow  Meadow  Prairie — Dorchester— Webster— Hooper  Warren— Incident*  and 
Items 371-390 

HOPEWELL    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX.-  General  Description— Pioneer  Settlors— The  First  School  House— Saw  and  Grist  Mills 
—An  Old-time  Preacher— Friendly  Neighbors— Mrs.  White's  Long  Tramp — Garni—  Incidents  and  Mis-    " 
cellaneous  Items 393—402 

ROBERTS    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XU.— Topography— Shipping  Facilities— Early  Settlers— Varna— Churches  of  Varna— Lyons- 
Jesse  T.  Roberts— James  Hoyl— Shaw's  Point— Chicago  as  a  Grain  Market  in  '29— Pioneer  Fruit  Cul- 
ture—Forts— Frozen  to  Death— Tuefts  and  Robberies— ADen  of  Wolves— A  Night  of  Terror— Snakes- 
Ague— Incidents 403—421 

BELLE   PLAIN    TOWNSHIP. 

CH  VP  PER  XLl.— Description  and  Origin  of  the  Name— Old  Settlers— The  First  Schools— La  Rose— Pattons- 
burg— Churches  of  l':ittonsburu — Births,  Deaths  and  Marriages— Indians— A  Horse  plays  Detective- 
Hydrophobia— Horse  Stealing— Accidents  and  Incidents 422—433 

BENNINGTON    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XLII.— Organization  and  Topography— Rutland— Antioch  Church— Geological  Puzzles—  V  Tor- 
nado— A  Deer  Hunt  Daring  the  Deep  Snow  of  1854— Losing  a  Midwife 434-  439 

EVANS    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAP  I  EH  XLIII.— General  Description— Pioneers— Survev  of  Lands— Other  Pettlers— Valuable  Improve- 
ments—  Thoroughbred  Cattle  and  Blooded  Horses — Sandy  Precinct— Politics— Churches— Schools— 
Wenona— Schools  of  Wenona — Benevolent  Societies — Churches  of  Wenona — Wenona  Union  Fair — 
Evans  Station— Incidents  and  Items— Newspapers i 440—463 

HIGHLAND    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XLIV.— Topography— Round  Prairie— First  Settlers— Col.  John  Strawn— Bell's  Tavern- Early 
Schools— Phelps  Chapel— The  Barnes  and  Dever  Fort— John  Wier— The  Murder  of  McNeil— First 
Funeral  in  Marshall  County— Kapid  Growth  of  Timber— Nathan  Owen's  Grave  Yard— Anecdotes  and 
Inciden-s 464-490 

LA    PRAIRIE    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XLV.— Description— The  Banner  Township— H,.w  Named— First  Settlers-Schools-Edwin  S. 
Jones— Churches  of  the  Township — The  Town  Hall— Stages— Lawn  Ridge — Chambersburg— Troy  City 
— Lost  and  Frozen  in  the  Snow — Mystery- of  Mike  W.vle> — Sad  Death  of  Widow  Evaus — Mysterious 
Disappearance  of  Willis— Wolf  Hunting— The  D.  G.  R.  B.— A  Scotchman's  Apostacy— Patriotic  Citi- 
zens—Accidents and  Incidents 491—516 


SARATOGA     TOWNSHIP.  pAOEg 

CHAPTER  XLVI.— Topography  and  General  Description— Saratoga  Lake— First  Settlers— War  Record  of 

Saratoga  Township— A  Mirage  on  the   Prairie— Centreville 517—621 

WHITEFIELD    TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XLVII.— General  Description— Fir«t  Settler*- Religious  Societies— Schools— Reeves,  the  Outlaw, 
and  his  dang— Their  Expulsion  and  Subseqent  History— The  Harder  of  James  Shine— Incidents  and 
Miscellaneous  Items 522—538 

STEUBKN  TOWNSHIP. 

CHAPTER  XLTIII.-How  Named— Description  of  the  Township— Early  Settlers— The  Old  Schools— Relig- 
ious Iteins — Indians  of  Sparland  anu  Yicinitj — Scalped  by  Indians — Doc.  Allen — Anecdotes  and  In- 
cidents   539-654 

TH3:    UNDERGROUND      RAILROAD. 

CHAPTER  XL1X.— Slavery  in  the  Colonies— Early  Efforts  ti  Extinguish  the  System— Rapid  growth  of  Pub- 
lic Sentiment— Pioneers  in  the  Cituse  of  EniHncipation — Anecdotes  and  Incidents — The  "Agents"  of 
the  Road 655—573 

THE   INDIANS. 
CHAPTER  L.— Black  Partridge— Illinois  Indians  in  the  vVar  of  1812-The  Hunter  Hermit  of  Crow  Creek— 

Shick  Shack  and  his  Tribe— Indians  making  Sugar 574-  584 

THE    ILLINOIS    RIVER. 

CHAPTER  LI.- Early  Steamboating— Terror  with  which  the   first  Steamboat  Inspired  the  Indians— Keel 

and    Flatboating 685—587 

THE     GRAVES    TRAGEDY. 

CHAPTER  I.H.— The  Reed  and  Donner  Party— Overwhelmed  in  a  Snow  Storm  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  Moun- 
tains—Death of  John  Snyder— Other  Deaths  from  Starvation  and  Exposure— A  Forlorn  Hope 588—601 

CHAPTER  Llll.-Contmuation  of  the  Narrative  of  the  Graves  Tragedy— Horrible  Suffering  at  Starved 

Cainp—  A  Relief  Party  organized  for  the  Rescue  of  the  Survivor? 602—610 

CHAPTER  LIV.— The  Narrative  of  the  Graves  Tragedy  continued— A  Mother  at  Starved  Camp 611-618 

CHAPTER  LV.— Continuation  of  the  Narrative  of  the  Graves  Tragedy— The  Rescue— Arrival  of  Capt.  Fal- 
lon's  Relief  Party— The  Awful  Spectacle  which  met  their  sight— Keseburg's  Statement— The  Sur- 
vivors   619—632 

BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 

Hennepin  Township.  Putnam  County 635 — 653 

Magnolia  "  "  "        654-662 

Grmville  "  '  "        •. 663-670 

Senachwine  "  "  '"        671—680 

Lacou  "  Marshall      "         : 681-695 

Henry  "  "  "        696-707 

Evans  "  "  "       708-728 

Hopewell  "  "  "        729-733 

Roberta  ••  "  " 734-737 

BellePlain  "  "        738-789 

Bennington  "  "  "        ' 740-741 

Riciiland  "  "        742-743 

LaPrairie  "  "  "        744—750 

Stenben  "  "  "        761—756 

Saratoga  "  "  "        757—758 

Whitefield  "  "  '   "        759-763 

APPENDIX.— Sandy  Creek  O.  S.  Baptist  Church— Clear  Creek  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church— Eman- 
uel  Church  of  Granville  -  Mt.  Palatine  Congregational  Church— First  Baptist  Church  of  Lacon— Cum- 
beiland  Presbyterian  Church  of  Evans  Township -Bethel  Church,  Steuben— Sparland— Additional 
Biographies 766 — 771 

ERRA.T4 '. 772 

xvi. 


n      "TliLr  T~  ""1 " 

L  ZEE  ID 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME; 


• 

]?ifTY 


-OR,- 

ON  THE 


DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

VOYAGES    OF    COLUMBUS. 

the  14th  of  October,  1492,  Christopher  Columbus,  a  Genoese 
mariner  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Spain,. while  sailing 
westward  in  search  of  a  new  route  to  the  Indies,  discovered 
the  island  of  San  Salvador,  then  believed  to  be  a  new  con- 
tinent. This  voyage  of  Columbus,  in  its  results  of  so  vast 
importance  to  the  civilized  world,  was  inspired  by  a  firm 
belief  in  the  theory  of  the  earth's  rotundity,  and  an  enthusi- 
astic desire  to  demonstrate  its  correctness;  for  though  in 
the  year  1356,  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  years  before,  Sir  John  Mande- 
ville,  in  the  first  English  book  ever  written,  had  advanced  this  idea,  and 
clearly  proved  its  correctness  by  astronomical  observations  and  deductions 
of  rejnarkable  accuracy ;  and  though  others  had  vaguely  entertained  a 
similar  belief,  none  possessed  the  hardihood  to  attempt  its  practical  demon- 
stration. For  ten  years  Columbus,  an  enthusiast  upon  the  subject,  (aban- 
doning his  profession,  had  traveled  from  court  to  court  throughout  Europe, 
seeking  a  patron  of  intelligence,  enterprise  and  means,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  securing  for  his  plans  the  earnest  sympathy  and  approval  of  the  noble 
Isabella,  Queen  of  Castile,  and  her  husband  Ferdinand,  King  of  Spain, 
through  whose  material  aid  he  was  enabled  to  test  the  correctness  of  his 
views. 

Immediately  upon  the  result  of  this  wonderful  expedition  becoming 
known,  different  nations  vied  with  each  other  in  endeavors  to  advance 
their  knowledge  of  this  strange  land,  and  each  sought  to  secure  to  itself 


18  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

t 

the  greatest  possible  advantages  to  be  derived  from  conquering,  subduing 
and  colonizing  the  new  world.  To  Columbus  was  due  the  honor  of 
finding,  if  not  the  lost  and  long  soxight  Atlantis,  what  was  of  greater 
consequence,  —  vast  coiintries,  destined  in  time  to  contain  half  the  popula- 
tion of  the  whole  earth.  While  he  discovered  San  Salvador,  Ciiba,  Hayti 
and  Jamaica — the  rich  West  Indies — he  merely  got  a  glimpse  of  South 
America,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Orinoco,  and  never  saw  any  portion  of  the 
northern  half  of  the  continent,  the  future  seat  of  empire  of  the  new  world. 
Though  he  was  the  actiial  discoverer  of  the  Western  Hemisphere,  to  which 
his  name  should  have  been  given,  he  was  denied  that  honor.  He  first 
landed  upon  San  Salvador,  after  which  he  visited  Conception,  Cuba  and 
Hayti.  On  the  shores  of  the  Bay  of  Caracola,  in  the  last-named  island, 
was  erected  out  of  the  timbers  of  one  of  his  vessels  a  fort,  the  first  stnic- 
ture  built  by  white  men  in  the  new  world. 

While  correct  in  his  opinions  regarding  the  figure  of  the  earth,  Colum- 
bus made  a  great  mistake  in  his  estimate  of  its  size,  believing  it  to  be  not 
more  than  ten  or  twelve  thousand  miles  in  circumference;  and  upon  this 
assumption  he  was  confident  that  by  this  route  he  could  reach, — if,  in- 
deed, he  had  not  already  reached  —  China  and  the  East  Indies.  Encour- 
aged by  his  partial  success,  in  September  of  1493  he  sailed  on  a  second 
voyage,  which  resulted  in  the  discoveiy  of  the  Windward  group  of  islands. 
On  this  voyage,  also,  he  established  a  colony  in  Hayti,  appointing  his 
1  >rother  Governor. 

After  an  absence  of  three  years,  he  returned  to  Spain,  to  find  himself 
the  victim  of  jealousies  and  suspicions,  but  so  far  overcame  them  as  to 
organize  another  expedition.  On  this  third  voyage  he  discovered  Trinidad 
and  the  main  land  of  South  America  at  the  mouth  of  the  Orinoco.  Sailing 
thence  to  Hayti,  he  found  his  colony  in  disorder,  his  brother  deposed,  and 
was  himself  seized  by  Bobadilla,  the  usurping  Governor,  and  sent  to  Spain 
in  irons.  A  disgraceful  imprisonment  followed,  but  through  the  influence 
of  friends  he  was  liberated  and  sent  on  his  fourth  and  last  voyage.  He 
coasted  along  the  main  shore  of  South  America  for  some  time,  but  disap- 
pointed in  the  object  of  his  search  —  a  route  to  the  East  Indies — he  re- 
turned to  Spain,  and  soon  after  died,  a  broken-hearted  old  man. 

After  Columbus,  the  work  of  discoveiy  was  prosecuted  with  untiring 
energy.  One  of  his  captains  was  Americas  Vespucci,  who  in  1499  visited 
the  main  land  and  coasted  along  its  shores  for  several  leagues;  but  beyond 
demonstrating  that  the  land  to  the  west  of  the  Windward  group  of  islands 


NAMING  THE  NEW  WORLD.  19 

was  not  connected  with  them  or  with  the  Bahamas,  he  accomplished  veiy 
little.  He  was  a  pompous  man,  with  a  plausible  way  of  expressing  himself, 
and  on  his  return  gave  glowing  accounts  of  his  achievements,  in  which  he 
adroitly  omitted  all  reference  to  Columbus,  and  took  the  credit  to  himself 
of  having  discovered  the  new  continent,  likewise  ignoring  the  fact  that  it 
was  the  genius  of  Columbus  which  had  organized  the  first  expedition,  his 
courage  that  sustained  the  enteiprise,  brought  the  voyage  to  so  successful 
a  teraiination,  and  rendered  further  discoveries  an  easy  matter.  It  was 
Columbus  who  demonstrated  that  the  earth  was  round,  and  that  islands, 
and  even  continents — yes,  a  hemisphere,  was  to  be  frmnd  in  the  world  of 
waters  toward  the  setting  sun.  The  wily  Spaniard  undermined  the  worthy 
Genoese,  and  won  the  honor  due  alone  to  him.  The  New  World  was 
named  America,  but  the  great,  the  lasting  fame  of  its  discovery  remains 
with  him  whose  prow  first  ploughed  the  Western  seas. 

While  the  adventurous  of  all  nations  participated  in  the  exploration  of 
the  New  World  during  the  succeeding  century,  the  Spaniards,  disappointed 
in  their  thirst  for  gold  and  plunder  among  the  natives  of  North  America, . 
their  rapacity  inflamed  by  glowing  accounts  of  the  wealth  of  the  Incas, 
and  doubtless  also  influenced  by  the  more  congenial  climate,  directed 
their  attention  almost  wholly  to  Mexico  and  South  America,  inflicting 
upon  those  countries  to  this  day  the  enervating  heritage  of  their  own 
indolent,  lawless  and  revolutionary  propensities.  Important  discoveries 
within  the  territory  now  embraced  by  the  United  States  were  made  by 
Spanish  explorers,  of  which  brief  mention  will  be  made  in  their  proper 
connection,  but  the  colonization  and  development  of  North  America  was 
fortunately  left  almost  wholly  to  hardy  pioneers  from  the  more  northerly 
European  countries. 


20  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


CHAPTEK     II. 

• 

ANCIENT    EXPLORERS. 

*HILE  to  Spain  is  accorded  the  honor  of  having  discovered 
the  new  world,  there  is  a  strong  probability  that  the  little 
sea-girt,  ice-bound  island  in  mid-ocean  between  Greenland 
and  Norway,  appropriately  named  Iceland,  may  justly 
dispute  this  distinguished  claim.  Away  back  as  far  as 
A.  D.  986,  an  Icelandic  navigator  named  Herjulfson,  who 
had  made  a  few  voyages  for  trading  purposes  between  his 
country  and  Greenland,  while  heading  toward  the  land  of 
the  Esquimaux,  was  caught  in  a  storm  and  driven  on  the  coast  of  Lab- 
rador. He  saw  there  a  low  outline  of  rocky  and  wooded  shore,  far 
different  from  that  of  Greenland.  Although  sufficiently  near,  a  heavy 
sea  prevented  him  from  landing,  and  he  coasted  along  until  a  favorable 
wind  bore  him  homeward  to  tell  to  incredulous  ears  the  wonderful  story. 

Fourteen  years  afterward  Lief  Erickson,  another  Icelander,  inspired  by 
the  story  of  Herjulfson,  determined  to  test  its  truth,  and  gathering  a  crew 
of  hardy  Norse  sailors,  embarked,  and  in  the  spring  of  1001  touched  the 
coast  of  Maine,  and  thence  drifted  southward.  Here  he  saw  wonderful 
woods  and  flowers  and  wild  game  such  as  he  had  never  before  beheld,  be- 
sides strange  red  men,  wholly  unlike  the  Esquimaux.  _  This  to  him  was  a 
tropical  clime,  a  region  of  enchanting  loveliness,  and  his  crew  were  loth 
to  leave  it. 

His  brother  Thorwald  came  in  the  following  season,  and  died  near 
Fall  River,  Massachusetts.  Afterward  others  followed,  including  Thorfin 
Karlsefne,  who,  with  a  crew  of  150  men,  explored  the  entire  coast  of  the 
New  England  States,  entered  New  York  Harbor,  and  established  friendly 
relations  with  the  Indians,  giving  the  region  the  name  of  Vinland. 

From  time  to  time  as  late  as  1437,  Icelandic  explorers  visited  the 
north-eastern  shores  of  this  continent,  but  failed  to  establish  permanent 
commercial  relations  with  the  Indians,  having  little  to  exchange,  and  small 
demand  for  what  the  aborigines  had  to  barter.  The  gradually  increasing 


ICELANDIC    EXPLORATIONS.  21 

severity  of  the  arctic  climate  finally  caused  all  Icelandic  voyages  hither  to 
cease;  but  the  story  of  their  adventures  and  discoveries  exists  in  legend 
and  histoiy,  and  the  claim  that  they  first  discovered  America  has  a  sub- 
stantial basis  of  fact  to  rest  upon. 

Subsequently,  in  various  places  along  the  New  England  coast  have 
been  found  relics  of  a  strange  race,  such  as  spears  and  shields,  helmets, 
lances,  battle  axes,  and  other  weapons  of  war  siich  as  the  Northmen  iised 
in  the  Eighth,  Ninth  and  Tenth  centuries.  Culinary  utensils  have  like- 
wise been  found  of  the  exact  pattern  of  those  of  ancient  Norway. 

The  people  of  Iceland,  unlike  the  Esqiiimaux,  are  clearly  Europeans, 
in  form,  habits,  religion  and  color,  and  their  resemblance  to  their  neighbors 
of  Norway,  six  hundred  miles  eastward,  is  unmistakable.  Between  Iceland 
and  the  northernmost  point  of  Scotland  the  distance  is  about  five  hundred 
miles,  with  the  Faroe  Isles  intervening  midway.  But  there  seems  little 
question  of  the  Norwegian  descent  of  the  Icelanders.  They  connect  them- 
selves by  their  chronicles  with  the  former  country,  which  they  left  in  open 
boats  ages  ago.  They  have  old  legends,  religious  beliefs  and  superstitions 
and  ancient  traditions  in  common  with  the  mother  country,  and  trace 
themselves  to  European  ancestry.  Their  chronicles  of  the  discovery  of 
America  are  equally  clear  and  credible.  That  they  could  have  crossed 
from  Norway  500  or  600  miles  of  sea,  in  open  boats,  with  island  resting 
places  between  shores,  is  no  longer  doubtful,  since  only  recently  the  broad 
Atlantic  was  crossed  in  a  frail  craft  navigated  by  a  single  daring  mariner 
and  his  adventurous  wife. 

A  few  years  ago,  beneath  a  rock  near  the  coast  was  found  the  skeleton 
of  a  man  encased  in  armor;  and  an  ancient  paper  among  the  archives  of 
Iceland  tells  how  a  sailor  was  killed  in  a  skirmish  with  the  natives,  and 
his  remains  buried  where  he  fell,  at  the  foot  of  a  precipice. 


22 


RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE    GARDEN   SPOT    OF   THE   WORLD. 

discovery  of  America  was  an  event  of  great  consequence 
to  Europe.  It  not  only  marked  out  a  new  career  for  many 
of  her  people,  but  changed  the  destinies  of  whole  nations. 
The  safety  of  a  tyrant  lies  in  the  ignorance  and  supersti- 
tion of  his  subjects.  Knowledge  is  not  only  power,  but 
freedom  itself.  The  people  were  becoming  enlightened, 
and  in  proportion  as  they  advanced  in  wisdom,  so  the 
chains  of  political  servitude  became  more  galling,  and  far-off 
America,  with  her  grassy  plains,  broad  savannahs,  leafy  woods  and 
crystal  streams,  loomed  up  before  the  oppressed  as  a  land  of  promise. 
Monarchy  was  in  danger  when  the  spirit  of  freedom  was  aroused,  and  it 
became  a  question  of  Revolution  or  Emigration;  and  both  the  people  and 
their  rulers  saw  in  the  latter  the  surer,  safer  course. 

The  people  who  first  settled  here  found  a  wonderful  contrast  between 
the  sterile  soil  of  the  old  world,  where  the  fanner  forced  a  scanty  subsis- 
tence from  land  not  his  own,  and  the  broad  forest  regions  of  New  England 
or  the  mountainous  declivities  of  Virginia  or  North  Carolina;  for  the  land, 
though  hilly,  was  rich  virgin  soil ;  and  above  all,  it  was  free.  Whatever 
the  farmer  raised  was  his  own  beyond  the  reach  of  rapacious  tithes-gath- 
erers. To  fell  and  clear  these  vast  forests  and  remove  from  the  sunny 
hillsides  the  stone  was  joyful  work,  since  it  was  to  make  free  homes  for 
free  men  and  their  children  forever.  This  labor  of  love  would  cause  the 
wilderness  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 

Luckily,  the  hardy  pioneers  who  cleared  the  bleak  hills  of  New  Eng- 
land little  dreamed  of  the  far-off  Eden  of  the  West,  made  by  nature  ready 
for  the  plow, — the  richest,  freest  soil  under  the  sun.  For  thousands  of 
years,  ever  since  man  began  to  till  the  soil  to  get  from  it  his  bread,  it  had 
lain  untamed,  waiting  the  white  man's  coming.  No  soil  had  heretofore  been 
found  so  rich  as  to  require  no  dressing.  No  farm  was  believed  possible 
until  some  one  cut  down  the  trees  and  removed  the  stumps  and  roots,  or 


THE    VALLEY    OF    THE   MISSISSIPPI.  23 

dug  up  and  carried  away  or  sunk  out  of  sight  and  reach  of  the  plow  the 
larger  stones  that  cumbered  the  surface.  To  tell  the  Puritans  of  a  land 
still  more  perfect  than  their  own  was  to  insult  their  judgment  with  a 
fictitious  impossibility! 

And  yet  here  lay  this  broad,  beautiful,  unsurpassably  rich  garden  spot 
of  the  world.  Here,  extending  from  the  copper  mines  and  along  the 
southern  shore  of  the  largest  fresh  water  lake  in  the  world — Lake  Su- 
perior,—  stretching  around  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  thence 
eastward  to  the  AUeghanies  and  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  enclosing 
the  mightiest  lakes  and  the  longest  livers  of  the  world — the  peerless 
Mississippi,  the  turbulent  but  even  larger  Missouri,  the  Platte,  the  Ohio, 
Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Arkansas,  Tennessee,  and  many  others,  forming 
together  a  perfect  system  of  drainage  and  fertilization, — lay  this  grand 
country,  the  great  Mississippi  Valley,  the  richest  agricultural  region  under 
the  sun,  so  far  as  human  knowledge  goes. 

A  great  discoveiy  was  that  of  this  grand  central  plain,  once  the  basin 
of  a  vast  inland  sea  long  ages  ago,  when  hideous  monsters  of  the  coal 
period  disported  themselves  among  the  luxuriant  weeds  that  grew  as  trees, 
and  gigantic  saurians  hid  beneath  their  branches  or  lazily  wallowed  in  the 
oozy  marsh.  Long  cycles  of  time  have  passed  since  this  great  inter-conti- 
nental ocean  between  the  rising  hills  of  the  East  and  the  frowning  moun- 
tains of  the  West  subsided  its  flood  and  slowly,  by  degrees  marked  by 
centuries,  the  finished  world  emerged  from  its  Chaotic  beginning.  During 
that  vast  intermediate, space  what  mighty  throes  of  nature  has  it  witnessed, 
what  Titanic  convulsions  has  it  experienced?  Then  came  great  floods  of 
water  and  intense  heat,  followed  by  the  glacial  or  cold  period,  when  for 
centuries  fields  of  ice  hundreds  of  feet  in  depth  ploughed  up  the  surface 
and  harrowed  down  the  hills  till,  after  eons  of  ages,  came  man- — not 
historic  man,  with  his  progressive  faculties,  but  the  pre-historic  first  attempt 
of  nature  toward  the  genus  homo,  — the  dweller  in  caves,  possessing  an  abun- 
dance of  low  cunning,,  and  fighting  his  way  with  sticks  and  stones  among 
the  swarming  monsters  .of  earth  and  sea.  Then  came  the  mound-builders 
and  what  is  known  as  the  Stone  Age,  supplemented  "by  what  are  termed 
the  Bronze  Age  and  the  Iron  Age.  Whether  these  periods  resulted  from 
gradual  progress,  or  were  rudely  broken  off  by  long  intervals  of  time,  is 
not  certain.  History  tells  that  after  the  fall  of  Greece  and  Rome  came 
the  Dark  Ages,  and  man  seemed  to  have  degenerated  thousands  of  years. 
So  between  the  strongly  marked  characteristics  of  pre-historic  races  there 


24  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

may  have  been  wide  gaps  of  time,  and  nations  rose  and  fell  unnoted  and 
unknown. 

The  Indians  whom  our  ancestors  found  here,  in  arts  and  sciences  were 
far  behind  the  ancient  people  who  once  inhabited  this  country.  They  did 
not  have  the  sagacity  to  provide  for  inclement  weather  or  old  age.  Each 
day  was  for  itself;  and  so  their  lives  ran,  either  a  feast  or  a  famine.  They 
had  no  traditions  of  former  races,  and  knew  nothing  of  their  own  previous 
history.  The  numerous  mounds  that  covered  the  country  excited  neither 
interest  nor.  enthusiasm,  and  the  red  man  is  best  described  by  Pope  in  the 
following  lines : 

"  To  be,  contents  his  natural  desire ; 
He  asks  no  angel's  wing  nor  seraph's  fire, 
But  thinks,  admitted  to  that  equal  sky, 
His  faithful  dog  shall  beat  him  company." 


THE    FATHER    OF    WATERS. 


The  Mississippi  River  was  first  discovered  by  the  Spaniards,  in-  the  year 
1541,  at  a  point  near  its  entrance  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Two  years 
later  Father  Hennepin  voyaged  down  the  Illinois  River  to  its  confluence 
with  the  Mississippi,  and  launching  his  craft  upon  its  rapid  current,  jour- 
neyed to  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  returning,  went  as  far  southward  as 
the  thirty-third  parallel,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas.  These  long 
voyages  were  prompted  by  Utopian  dreams,  the  Spaniards  seeking  the 
fabled  fountain  of  eternal  youth,  and  the  French  a  shorter  route  to  China. 

In  1512,  Juan  Poncj  de  Leon,  Spanish  Governor  of  Porto  Rico,  one  of 
the  West  India  Islands,  rich  and  avaricious,  but  growing  old,  fitted  out  a 
fleet  and  sailed  in  search  of  the  fabled  spring.  On  ths  27th  of  March,  he 
came  upon  the  coast  of  a  wonderful  land,  abounding  in  limpid  springs  and 
wood-crowned  hills,  gay  with  gorgeous  flowers,  and  tenanted  by  gaudy 
plumaged  bii'ds.  He  named  this  enchanting  country  Florida,  "  the  land  of 
flowers."  Landing  near  the  site  of  what  is  now  the  city  of  St.  Augustine, 
the  oldest  town  built  by  white  men  on  this  continent,  and  claiming  the 
country  for  the  King  of  Spain,  he  promptly  organized  and  vigorously  prose- 
cuted his  search  for  the  fabulous  fountain.  After  many  weeks  of  fruitless 
exploration  among  the  everglades  and  flower-laden  groves,  he  turned 
southward,  discovered  and  named  the  Tortugas,  doubled  Cape  Florida,  and 
returned  to  Porto  Rico.  The  king,  to  compensate  him  for  the  discovery, 


NARVAEZ DE  SOTO PONCE  DE  LEON.  25 

made  him  Governor  of  Florida,  and  sent  him  to  establish  a  colony.  He  re- 
turned in  1521,  to  find  the  natives  intensely  hostile,  instead  of  friendly  and 
hospitable  as  before,  and  had  scarcely  landed  ere  they  fell  upon  him  in 
overwhelming  numbers  and  drove  his  men  to  their  ships,  Ponce  de  Leon 
himself  being  so  severely  wounded  that  he  died  soon  after  reaching  Cuba, 
for  which  point  his  expedition  sailed  in  precipitate  haste. 

In  A.  D.  1528,  Narvaez  was  appointed  Governor  of  Florida  by  the  King 
of  Spain,  and  sailed  for  that  province  with  a  force  of  two  hundred  and 
sixty  footmen  and  forty  horsemen.  He  landed  at  Tampa  Bay  in  April, 
and  went  northward  in  search  of  gold  and  conquest;  but  where  he  hoped 
to  find  ancient  cities  and  vast  empires  abounding  in  wealth,  he  discovered 
only  morasses,  lagoons  and  savages.  After  weeks  of  peril  and  hardship 
they  reached  the  coast,  built  light  barges,  and  put  to  sea,  but  were  driven 
by  storms  again  upon  the  shore.  Here  Narvaez  died.  His  lieutenant, 
De  Vaca,  at  length  reached  the  Spanish  settlements  in  Mexico  with  a 
handful  of  men,  having,  as  some  historians  allege,  discovered  the  Mississippi 
on  his  way.  As  he  seems  not  to  have  claimed  that  honor,  however,  and 
failed  to  formally  take  possession  of  it  in  the  name  of  the  King  of  Spain, 
as  other  Spanish  discoverers  were  wont  to  do,  his  government  never  accred- 
ited him  with  that  achievement. 

In  1537,  Ferdinand  de  Soto,  a  distinguished  cavalier  of  Spain  and  bosom 
friend  of  Pizarro,  who  as  conqueror  of  Peru  had  just  returned  loaded  with 
the  wealth  of  the  Incas,  was  made  Governor  of  Florida,  and  came  with  six 
hundred  men  to  conquer  and  subdue  the  country,  expecting  to  find  it  a 
second  Peru  in  wealth.  His.  men  were  representatives  of  the  nobility  of 
Spain,  clad  in  knightly  armor,  and  they  came  with  all  the  pomp  and  cir- 
cumstance of  conquerors,  bringing  shackles  for  slaves,  bloodhounds  for 
hunting,  and  priests  to  conduct  their  religious  exercises.  In  June,  1539, 
they  first  caught  sight  of  land,  but  instead  of  the  wondrous  beauty  deline- 
ated in  Ponce  de  Leon's  painting,  they  beheld  but  a  silent  beach  of  marshy 
waste  and  gloomy  morass.  Somu  of  the  mon  deserted  and  returned  to 
Cuba.  Landing. with  the  remainder  of  his  forco,  DJ  Soto  marched  north- 
ward, wading  swamps,  .swimming  rivers,  and  fighting  the  Indians  who 
hovered  about  his  line  of  march,  harrassing  his  column  and  seeking  to  im- 
pede his  progress.  They  wintered  in  the  country  of  the  Apalachiana,  on 
the  left  bank  of  Flint  River,  and  in  the  spring  of  1540  resumed  their 
tedious  journey,  wandering  through  the  interminable  wilderness  until  about 
April  or  May  of  1541,  when  they  reached  the  lower  Chickasaw  Bluff,  a 


26  KECOEDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

little  north  of  the  thirty-fourth  parallel,  where  they  discovered  the  Missis- 
sippi River.  After  crossing  the  "  Father  of  Waters,"  a  tedious  process, 
requiring  several  weeks'  time,  they  journeyed  to  the  north-west  tlmnigh 
Arkansas  to  the  southern  limits  of  Missouri,  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Mad- 
rid, thence  west  about  two  hundred  miles,  then  south  to  the  Hot  Springs, 
where  they  arrived  in  the  winter  of  1541-2.  They  were  guilty  of  many 
cruelties  to  the  Indians,  who  were  superstitious,  and  became  easy  victims 
to  the  duplicity  of  the  gaudily  attired  Spaniards.  Disappointed  in  finding 
wealth  and  spoils,  they  destroyed  Indian  towns  and  villages  on  their 
route,  and  cruelly  mutilated  their  captives  or  burned  them  alive  in  pun- 
ishment for  real,  imaginary  or  pretended  offences.  But  in  the  mean- 
time De  Soto  and  his  followers  suffered  terribly,  sickness  and  death  rapidly 
decimating  their  ranks.  At  length  they  turned  eastward  and  again  reached 
the  Mississippi  River,  where  De  Soto,  broken  in  health  and  spirits,  gave 
way  to  melancholy,  succumbed  to  the  malarial  fever  incident  to  the  climate 
and  country,  and  finally  died.  His  body  was  taken  to  the  middle  of  the 
stream  by  his  sorrowing  companions,  a  requiem  was  chanted,  and  in  a  rustic 
coffin  enclosing  them,  the  remains  of  Ferdinand  De  Soto  were  buried  be- 
neath the  rolling  waters  of  that  mighty  river  whose  discovery  was  the  only 
important  result  of  all  his  weary  wanderings.  His  companions,  after  many 
months  of  further  desultory  travel  over  Texas,  again  reached  the  Missis- 
sippi, near  the  mouth  of  Red  River,  where  they  built  seven  brigantines. 
In  these  they  floated  down  the  river  to  its  mouth,  whence  they  steered 
southwesterly  across  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  after  fifty-five  days'  buffeting 
the  terrible  coast  waves,  three  hundred  and  eleven  survivors  of  this  ill-fated 
expedition  reached  a  Spanish  settlement  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  of  Palms. 
Other  Spanish  expeditions,  notably  those  of  Lucas  Vasquez  de  Ayllon, 
Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  and  Pedro  Melendez,  visited  portions  of  North 
America  now  comprised  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  mainly  in- 
stigated by  greed  and  characterized  by  atrocious  cruelties,  but  devoid  of 
important  results.  Spain  retained  possession  of  Louisiana,  Florida  and 
Texas,  the  former  until  the  year  1800,  when  it  was  ceded  to  France  and  in 
turn  purchased  by  the  United  States;  Florida  until' Feb.  22,  1819,  when  it 
was  likewise  purchased  by  the  United  States;  and  of  Texas  until  1821,  when 
it  passed  into  the  nominal  possession  of  Mexico,  only,  however,  to  raise 
the  standard  of  insurrection,  achieve  speedy  independence  and  sue  for  ad- 
mission to  the  glorious  sisterhood  of  States  when  the  galling  hand  of  des- 
potism bore  too  heavily  upon  the  rights  and  liberties  of  her  people. 


FRENCH   EXPLORATIONS.  27 


SETTLEMENT  OF  CANADA. 
CHAPTER  IV. 

EXPLORATIONS    OF    THE    FRENCH. 

|  8  EARLY  as  1 504,  fishermen  from  the  north  of  France  sought 
the  shores  of  New  Foundland  to  ply  their  trade.  A  well 
executed  map  made  in  1 50ft,  and  found  among  the  archives 
of  the  nation,  defines  the  outlines  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence and  the  fishing  grounds  very  accurately.  In  1508 
two  Indians  picked  up  at  sea  were  carried  to  France  and  edu- 
cated, afterward  becoming  very  serviceable  as  interpreters. 
In  1501  Gaspar  Cortereal,  a  Portuguese  seaman,  sailed 
on  a  voyage  of  discovery,  and  striking  the  continent  somewhere  near  the 
latitude  of  Maine,  coasted  northward  a  distance  of  seven  hundred  miles, 
until  near  the  fiftieth  parallel,  when  floating  ice  stopped  further  progress. 
Returning,  he  captured  about  fifty  Indian  fishermen,  and  took  them  to 
Portugal,  where  they  were  sold  as  slaves. 

In  1523  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  France,  consisting  of  four  small 
vessels,  three  of  which  were  wrecked  in  a  storm  before  leaving  the  coast, 
but  the  fourth,  the  Dolphin,  reached  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  from 
whence  the  commander  sailed  northward  as  far  as  New  Foundland,  where 
he  landed  and  took  possession  of  the  country  in  the  name  of  the  king,  his 
master,  and  named  it  New  France. 

In  1534  France  sent  a  new  and  successful  explorer  to  further  view  her 
new  possessions  here,  in  the  person  of  James  Cartier,  who,  after  cruising 
about  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Foundland,  went  north  and  westward,  enter- 
ing the  estuaiy  of  a  broad  river,  which  he  named,  in  honor  of  his  patron, 
St.  Lawrence.  He  sailed  up  this  great  river  past  the  island  of  Orleans, 
and  extending  his  journey,  reached  a  beautiful  village  at  the  foot  of  a  hill 
in  the  middle  of  an  island,  the  location  of  which  had  been  described  to  him 
by  captive  Indians.  Ascending  the  hill  and  discovering  the  surroundings 
fully  confirmative  of  what  had  been  described  by  his  Indian  guides,  he 
named  the  place  Mont  Real,  and  with  the  usual  ceremony  took  possession 
in  the  name  of  the  King  of  France. 


28  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

In  1541,  about  the  date  of  De  Soto's  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
Cartier  organized  a  new  expedition  from  France.  The  fabulous  stories  of 
great  wealth  to  be  had  without  labor  in  the  new  world  were  now  exploded, 
and  the  spirit  of  adventure  was  dying  out;  volunteers  were  slow  to  offer 
their  services,  and  the  king  being  appealed  to,  opened  the  prisons,  filled 
with  vei-rain  from  all  parts  of  Europe,  and  proclaimed  a  free  pardon  for 
all  who  enlisted,  excepting  only  such  as  were  under  sentence  for  coun- 
terfeiting or  treason.  By  this  means  Cartier's  complement  was  speedily 
made  up,  and  with  a  crew  of  thieves,  robbers  and  cut-throats,  the  future 
founders  of  a  western  empire,  he  reached  the  present  site  of  Quebec,  where 
he  passed  the  winter. 

For  the  next  fifty  years  the  French  seem  to  have  made  no  effort  to 
colonize  New  France,  or  to  explore  its  territory.  In  1(503  De  Monts  was 
appointed  Governor  of  the  country  from  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia  to 
one  degree  north  of  Montreal.  In  1604  he  arrived,  and  after  some  reverses 
of  fortune,  in  1  (505  founded  a  permanent  settlement  on  the  northwest  coast 
of  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  whole  countiy  and  surrounding  islands,  with  the 
mainland  as  far  south  as  the  St.  Croix  River,  was  named  Acadia. 

In  1(508  Champlain,  discoverer  of  the  lake  which  bears  his  name,  fore- 
seeing in  the  fur  trade  of  that  region  a  profitable  business,  susceptible  of 
unlimited  expansion,  established  trading  posts  for  the  advancement  of  that 
industry,  and  founded  Quebec.  He  vigorously  prosecuted  this  industry, 
the  new  world's  contribution  to  commerce,  yearly  extending  it  up  the 
river. until  1(524,  when  Fort  St.  Louis  was  completed,  securing  the  French 
in  their  permanent  occupancy  of  the  St.  Lawrence  Valley. 

During  this  period  the  Jesuits  of  France  were  turning  their  attention 
to  the  far-off  region  of  the  then  Northwest  in  America,  with  a  view  to 
planting  the  cross  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  converting  to  its  tenets  the 
inhabitants  of  this  benighted  wilderness.  While  priests  had  accompanied 
every  expedition  here,  none  had  come  as  missionaries;  but  in  1(532  Paul 
La  Jeune,  De  None,  and  a  lay  brother  named  Gilbert  sailed  from  Rouen 
for  "that  miserable  country,"  as  they  called  it,  arriving  at  Quebec  in  the 
month  of  July. 

Le  Jeune's  first  missionary  effort  was  made  while  seated  on  a  log,  an 
Indian  boy  on  one  side,  arid  a  little  negro,  an  attache  of  the  garrison,  on 
the  other.  As  neither  understood  the  language  of  the  others,  their  pro- 
gress in  spiritual  mattere  must  have  been  small. 

After  learning  the  Indian  language,  he  was  better  satisfied  with  his 


MARQUETTE PRIEST    AND    EXPLORER.  29 

labors.  Others  joined  him,  ambitious  young  missionaries  from  the  mother 
country,  and  sometimes  folowing,  more  often  preceding  the  fur  traders  up 
to  and  around  the  chain  of  the  great  lakes,  they  founded  posts  and  missions 
throughout  the  far  North-west  to  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 
Brave,  resolute  and  self-sacrificing  men  were  those  pioneer  missionaries. 
Voluntarily  forsaking  home,  friends  and  country,  they  went  out  into  the 
far-off  wilderness  before  untrodden  save  by  savage  feet,  devoting  their 
lives  to  the  propagation  of  their  religious  faith.  Sublime  faith,  indeed, 
which  prompted  these  heroic  apostles  of  Christianity  to  place  their  lives  in 
momentary  jeopardy,  with  death  in  its  most  terrible  fomi  a  continual 
menace.  The  death  of  Jean  De  Brebeuf,  the  founder  of  the  Huron  Mis- 
sion in  Canada,  together  with  his  companion,  Lalemont,  was  horrible  be- 
yond description,  and  has  never  been  exceeded  in  brutal  ferocity  or 
intensity  of  suffering.  Savage  ingenuity  in  torture  could  no  farther  go 
than  in  the  horrible  maiming,  flaying  alive  and  burning  of  these  martyr 
pioneers. 

In  1632,  four  years  before  the  missions  were  formed  among  the  lake 
tribes,  a  grand  council  of  Indian  tribes  was  held  at  the  falls  of  St.  Mary, 
at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior.  In  1660  Mesnard  established  a  station 
near  the  lake,  but  perished  in  the  woods  soon  after.  In  1668  Claude 
Dablon  and  James  or  Jacques  Marquette,  afterward  a  leading  character  in 
the  history  of  Western  exploration,  established  the  mission  of  Sault  Ste. 
Marie,  and  two  years  later  Nicholas  Perrot,  agent  for  M.  Talon,  Governor 
General  of  Canada,  explored  Lake  Michigan  (then  Lake  Illinois)  to  its 
southern  limits,  or  near  the  present  site  of  Chicago.  Marquette  also 
founded  a  mission  at  Point  Saint  Ignace,  across  the  Strait  of  Mackinaw. 

During  Marquette's  residence  in  that  region  he  learned  of  the  existence 
of  a  great  sea  or  river  away  to  the  west,  the  Indian  descriptions  of  which 
varied  greatly;  also,  that  great  tribes  of  Indians  inhabited  this  far  off 
region,  among  them  the  Winnebagoes,  or  sea  tribe,  who  had  never  seen 
the  face  of  white  man,  nor  heard  of  the  Gospel. 

In  1634  Jean  Nicolet,  a  Frenchman  who  had  come  to  Canada  in  1618, 
was  sent  to  the  Green  Bay  country  to  visit  the  Winnebagoes.  He  was  the 
first  white  man  they  had  ever  seen.  To  produce  the  greatest  possible 
effect,  "when  he  approached  their  town  he  sent  some  of  his  Indian  at- 
tendants to  announce  his  coming,  put  on  a  robe  of  damask,  and  firing 
his  pistols,  advanced  to  meet  the  expectant  crowd.  The  squaws  and 
children  fled,  screaming  that  it  was  a  manitou  [god]  or  spirit,  armed  with 


SO  fcECORDS   6F   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

thunder  and  lightning;  but  the  chiefs  and  warriors  regaled  him  with  so 
bountiful  a  hospitality  that  a  hundred  and  twenty  beavers  were  devoured 
at  a  single  feast." 

Paul  Le  Jeune  in  1640  also  wrote  of  the  sea  tribe,  or  Winnebagoes, 
and  their  mighty  water,  or  sea. 

Nicolet  undertook  to  visit  this  far  away  region.  Ascending  Fox  River, 
he  crossed  the  portage  to  the  Wisconsin,  and  thence  floated  down  to 
where  his  guides  assured  him  he  was  "within  three  days  of  the  great 
water,"  which  he  mistook  for  the  sea;  but  he  returned  without  visiting  it. 

Aboxit  this  time  the  Governor  of  New  France,  excited  by  vague  reports 
of  a  great  unknown  river  in  the  far  West,  and  believing  it  might  empty 
into  the  Pacific  or  the  South  Sea,  set  on  foot  an  expedition  to  solve  the 
question  and  open  up  new  territories  for  his  sovereign.  He  cast  about  for 
some  one  qualified  to  undertake  this  expedition,  and  settled  upon  Louis 
Joliet,  a  daring  fur  trader  of  Quebec  and  a  native  Canadian,  educated  by 
the  Jesuits  for  the  priesthood ;  and  to  accompany  him  as  priest,  the  equally 
venturesome  and  brave  Marquette  was  chosen.  Their  outfit  was  simple, 
consisting  of  two  birch-bark  canoes  and  a  supply  of  smoked  meat  and 
Indian  corn.  On  the  17th  of  May,  1673,  they  set  out  from  Mackinaw 
with  five  French  Canadians  as  assistants,  and  passing  the  straits,  and  along 
the  northern  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  reached  Green  Bay  and  sailed 
up  Fox  River  to  a  village  of  the  Miamis  and  Kickapoos.  Here  Marquette 
was  delighted  to  find  a  beautiful  cross  in  the  middle  of  the  town,  orna- 
mented with  white  skins  and  bows  and  arrows,  offerings  of  the  heathen  to 
their  Manitou,  or  god.  The  pioneers  were  regaled  with  mineral  waters, 
and  instmcted  in  the  secrets  of  a  root  which  cured  the  bite  of  the  rat- 
tlesnake. Marquette  assembled  the  chiefs  and  pointed  out  Joliet  to  them 
as  an  envoy  of  France,  while  he  introduced  himself  as  an  embassador  of 
God  to  enlighten  them  with  the  Gospel.  Two  guides  were  furnished  to 
conduct  them  to  the  Wisconsin  River.  The  guides  led  them  across  the 
portage  between  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers,  and  left  them  to  launch 
their  barques  on  its  xuiknown  waters  and  float  to  regions  where  white  men 
had  never  yet  ventured.  As  they  started  on  that  strange  voyage,  they 
remembered  the  warnings  received  at  an  Indian  village  a  few  days  before, 
on  Fox  River,  where  they  tarried.  The  chiefs  advised  them  "to  go  no 
further;  that  the  banks  of  the  great  river  were  inhabited  by  ferocious 
tribes,  who  put  all  strangers  to  death;  that  the  river  was  full  of  frightful 
monsters,  some  of  which  were  large  enough  to  swallow  a  canoe  with  all  its 


DISCOVEKY    OF   THE   MISSISSIPPI.  1 

contents;  that  at  a  high  cliff  by  the  river  side  lived  a  demon,  whose  roar 
was  so  loud  as  to  shake  the  earth  and  destroy  all  boats  passing  up  or 
down  the  stream ;  and  that  the  great  liver  was  full  of  cataracts  and  whirl- 
pools which  would  surely  engulf  and  destroy  them." 

But  Father  Marquette  had  before  starting  put  all  his  tnist  in  the 
"Blessed  Virgin,"  and  made  a  solemn  vow  that  if  he  discovered  the  great 
river  he  would  give  it  the  name  of  "The  Conception,"  in  her  honor.  So 
the  voyagers  floated  on,  and  were  not  afraid.  After  four  days  of  rapid 
sailing  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  on  their  right  lay  the  ter- 
raced plain  afterward  the  site  of  the  fort  and  city  of  Frame  du  Chien.  A 
couple  of  days  they  tarried,  and  then  launched  their  frail  barques  on  the 
broad  bosom  of  the  "Father  of  Waters,"  "with  a  joy  that  could  not  be 
expressed." 

Turning  southward,  they  paddled  down  the  rapid  stream,  their  voyage 
unrelieved  by  the  faintest  trace  of  civilized  life,  but  encountering  at  inter- 
vals and  viewing  with  wonder  great  herds  of  buffalo.  Marquette  describes 
the  fierce  yet  stupid  and  bewildered  look,  the  mixture  of  fear  and  defiance 
of  the  old  bulls  of  the  herds  who  stood  staring  at  the  intruders  through 
the  tangled  manes  of  their  bushy  heads  as  the  canoes  floated  past. 

They  proceeded  with  extreme  caution,  not  knowing  what  moment  the 
savage  war-whoop  might  startle  their  ears,  the  prelude  to  their  capture 
or  speedy  death ;  landing  at  night  to  cook  their  meals,  and  hiding  their 
retreat  as  well  as  they  could,  or  anchored  in  the  stream,  always  keeping  a 
sentinel  on  watch. 

Thus  they  journeyed  a  fortnight  without  meeting  a  human  being,  when 
on  the  25th  of  June  they  saw  foot-prints  of  men  in  the  mud  on  the  west 
branch  of  a  stream.  Joliet  and  Marquette  followed  the  trail  at  a  hazard- 
ous venture  across  a  prairie  two  leagues,  when  they  discovered  an  Indian 
village  on  the  banks  of  a  river,  probably  near  the  present  site  of  Burling- 
ton, Iowa.  Here  they  found  a  tribe  of  Illinois  Indians,  and  were  welcomed 
in  the  fashion  of  these  people.  "An  extensive  feast  of  four  courses  was 
set.  First  came  a  wooden  bowl  of  Indian  meal,  boiled  with  grease,  the 
master  of  ceremonies  feeding  his  guests  like  infants,  with  a  spoon;  next  a 
platter  of  fish,  the  same  functionary  carefully  removing  the  bones  with  his 
fingers  and  blowing  on  the  morsels  to  cool  them  before  placing  them  in  the 
strangers'  mouths.  A  large  dog,  killed  for  the  occasion,  furnished  the  next 
course;  but  not  relishing  this,  a  dish  of  fat  buffalo  meat  ended  the  feast." 


S2  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Next  morning,  escorted  by  six  hundred  of  the  people,  the  Frenchmen  re- 
turned to  the  river  and  resumed  their  journey. 

They  passed  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  discovering  "The  Ruined 
Castles,"  as  they  named  the  fantastic  markings  of  the  rocks  at  that  point, 
produced  by  the  action  of  the  elements.  The  superstitious  fears  of  the 
Canadian  attendants  were  here  aroused  by  the  sight  on  the  face  of  the  rock 
of  a  pair  of  painted  monsters,  "with  horns  like  a  deer,  red  eyes,  and  a  beard 
like  a  tiger;  the  face  resembled  that  of  a  man,  the  body  was  covered  with 
scales,  and  the  tail  was  so  long  that  it  passed  entirely  around  the  body, 
over  the  head  and  between  the  legs,  ending  like  that  of  a  fish."  This  rock 
was  near  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Alton,  and  represented  the  Indian 
manitou,  or  god. 

Soon  after  passing  these  monsters  they  encountered  another  terror,  —  a 
torrent  of  yellow  mud,  rushing  across  the  current  of  the  clear,  blue  Missis- 
sippi, boiling,  surging,  and  sweeping  in  its  course  logs,  branches,  and 
uprooted  trees.  "  This  was  the  great  Missouri  River,  where  that  savage 
streajn,  descending  in  its  mad  career  through  a  vast  unknown  region  of 
barbarism,  potired  its  turbid  floods  into  the  bosom  of  its  gentle  sister." 
Their  light  canoes  were  whirled  on  the  surface  of  the  muddy  vortex  like 
dry  leaves  in  the  eddies  of  an  angry  brook. 

They  passed  the  lonely  forest  which  covered  the  site  of  the  future  city 
of  St.  Louis,  passed  the  mouth  of  the  river  upon  which  the  Indians  be- 
stowed the  well-deserved  name  of  "Ohio,"  meaning  "Beautiful  River," 
and  still  floating  onward,  reached  the  region  of  perpetual  summer,  the 
reedy,  marsh-lined  shores  buried  in  dense  forests  of  cane,  with  its  tall, 
straight  stems  and  feathery  foliage, — the  land  of  cotton  and  siigar. 

Above  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas  they  found  a  tribe  of  Indians  who 
had  evidently  been  in  communication  with  Europeans,  for  they  were  armed 
with  guns,  knives  and  hatchets,  wore  garments  of  cloth,  and  carried  their 
gunpowder  in  bottles  of  thick  glass.  Here  they  were  cheered  by  the  in- 
telligence that  they  were  only  ten  days  from  the  mouth  of  the  great  river, 
when  in  fact  more  than  one  thousand  miles  remained  to  be  traversed  ere 
its  waters  found  an  outlet  and  mingled  with  those  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Floating  down  the  stream  day  after  day,  past  marsh-lined  shores 
covered  with  evergreens,  from  which  depended  long  streamers  of  funereal 
moss,  the  dreary  monotony  and  awful  stillness  almost  frightened  them, 
and  they  grew  strangely  superstitious.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas 
River  they  landed  at  an  Indian  village,  and  found  the  inhabitants  intensely 


MARQUETTE'S  RETURN — TIP  THE  ILLINOIS.  33 

hostile,  threatening  extermination;  but  a  little  strategy  saved  them.  A 
few  days  later  they  encountered  another  tribe  of  naked  savages,  who 
proved  as  hospitable  as  the  others  were  hostile.  They  were  feasted  pro- 
fusely, and  in  return  Marquette  made  them  some  simple  presents  and  set 
up  a  large  cross  on  shore. 

By  this  time  they  were  convinced  the  Mississippi  neither  flowed  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean  nor  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  disheartened  by  reports 
of  savage  tribes  below,  and  wearied  with  their  long  voyage,  Marquette 
determined  on  returning,  and  on  the  17th  of  June  the  voyagers  turned 
their  prows  up  the  stream.  The  fierce  rays  of  the  sun  beat  upon  their 
unprotected  heads,  and  Marquette  was  prostrated  with  dysenteiy,  which 
came  near  ending  his  life ;  but  his  strong  constitution  carried  him  through 
until  a  healthier  climate  was  reached,  when  he  rapidly  recovered. 


VOYAGE    UP    THE    ILLINOIS    RIVER. 

These  intrepid  travelers  had  discovered  the  Mississippi,  and  rode  upon 
its  broad  bosom  from  the  Wisconsin  to  within  a  few  hundred  miles  of  its 
mouth,  passing  successively,  at  the  confluence  of  each  with  the  majestic 
stream  upon  which  they  journeyed,  the  Illinois,  Missouri,  Ohio,  Arkansas 
and  other  mighty  rivers,  and  were  now  about  to  extend  their  discoveries 
by  a  voyage  up  the  Illinois,  whose  limpid  waters  and  wood-crowned  hills 
no  white  man  had  ever  yet  beheld.  They  entered  its  mouth  probably  in 
August,  1673,  and  followed  its  course,  "charmed  as  they  went  with  its 
placid  waters,  its  shady  forests,  and  rich  plains  grazed  by  the  bison  and 
the  deer." 

The  beauty  of  the  river  was  highly  extolled  by  Marquette.  He  says : 
"Nowhere  on  this  journey  have  I  seen  a  more  pleasant  country  than  on 
the  banks  of  that  river.  The  meadows  are  covered  with  wild  oxen,  stags, 
wild  goats,  and  the  rivers  and  lakes  with  bustards,  swans,  ducks  and 
beavers.  We  saw,  also,  an  abundance  of  parrots.  Several  small  rivers 
fall  into  this,  which  is  deep  and  broad  for  sixty-five  leagues,  and  therefore 
navigable  all  the  year  long." 

On  the  way  they  stopped  at  a  place  ever  afterward  famous  in  the 
annals  of  western  discovery,  —  the  great  Illinois  Town  (near  Utica,  in 


34  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

LaSalle  County),  called  "Kaskaskia,"  a  name  afterward  transferred  to  a 
French  village  in  another  pail  of  Illinois.  Here  a  young  chief  with  a 
band  of  warriors  offered  to  guide  the  explorers  to  Lake  Illinois  (now  Lake 
Michigan),  whither  they  went,  and  coasting  its  shores,  reached  Green 
Bay  at  the  end  of  September,  having,  in  an  absence  of  about  four  months, 
paddled  in  their  Jcanoes  a  distance  of  over  two  thousand  five  hundred 
miles,  traversed  the  Wisconsin,  the  Illinois  and  Lake  Michigan,  discov- 
ered the  Mississippi,  and  explored  the  great  valley  for  two-thirds  of  its 
entire  length  from  north  to  south. 

Marque tte  rested  awhile  from  the  severe  strain  to  his  mental  and 
physical  organization  resulting  from  his  long  and  perilous  expedition,  and 
then  resumed  his  labors  among  the  Indians.  He  visited  the  Illinois 
tribes  again,  established  "  missions  "  at  several  places  in  the  Northwest,  and 
finally,  when,  old  and  worn  out,  as  he  was  traversing  the  southern  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan,  death  overtook  him.  Retiring  to  pray,  as  was  his  wont,  and 
being  absent  longer  than  usual,  his  attendants  sought  his  retreat  and  found 
him  dead  upon  his  knees.  His  faithful  Indians  placed  the  remains  in  a  rude 
bark  coffin  and  bore  him  upon  their  shoulders  for  sixty  miles,  to  his  friends, 
where  he  was  accorded  Christian  burial.  Afterward  the  little  chapel  be- 
neath which  he  was  interred  was  burned  down,  the  mission  was  moved 
elsewhere,  and  for  many  years  the  site  of  his  grave  was  lost,  until  acci- 
dent revealed  |it.  Nearly  two  hundred  years  later  a  project  was  set  on 
foot  to  erect  a  monument  to  his  memory,  but  which  has  not  at  this  writ- 
ing been  carried  into  effect. 

It  is  said  that  for  many  years  after  the  death  of  Marquette,  French 
sailors  on  the  lakes  kept  his  picture'  nailed  to  the  masthead  of  their  ves- 
sels, as  a  guardian  angel,  and  when  overtaken  by  storms,  would  pray  to 
him,  beseeching  him  to  calm  the  winds  and  still  the  troubled  waters,  that 
they  might  reach  port  in  safety. 

Joliet,  on  leaving  Marquette  at  Green  Bay,  at  the  conclusion  of  their 
eventful  voyage,  started  to  Quebec  to  make  his  official  report  to  Governor 
Frontenac;  but  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  La  Chine  his  canoe  was  over- 
turned, two  of  his  men  drowned  and  all  his  papers  lost,  himself  narrowly 
escaping.  In  his  letter  to  Count  Frontenac,  he  says  :  "I  have  escaped 
every  peril  from  Indians,  I  have  passed  forty-two  rapids,  and  was  on  the 
point  of  disembarking,  full  of  joy  at  the  final  completion  of  so  long  and 
difficult  an  enterprise,  when  my  canoe  capsized,  and  I  lost  two  men  and 


THE    DEATH    OF    JOLIET. 


35 


my  box  of  papers  within  sight  of  the  French  settlements  which  I  had  left 
two  years  before." 

After  a  long  and  useful  life  in  the  employ  of  his  government,  he  died 
in  1699  or  1700,  and  was  buried  on  one  of  the  Islands  of  Mignon. 


36 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CAVELIER   DE    LA  SALLE. 

1643  was  born  at  Rouen,  France,  Robert  Cavelier,  known  as 
La  Salle.  He  had  wealthy  parents,  and  was  well  educated. 
A  Catholic,  his  training  was  conducted  by  the  Jesuits,  but  he 
seems  not  to  have  been  over-zealous  in  his  religion.  He  had 
an  older  brother  in  Canada,  and  to  him  he  sailed  to  view  the 
new  country  and  carve  out  a  career  for  himself.  Soon  after 
his  arrival  his  genius  began  to  manifest  itself.  The  priests 
of  St.  Surplice,  of  which  order  his  brother  was  a  member, 
desired  to  establish  a  line  of  posts  along  the  great  lakes  to 
the  farthest  limits  of  French  discovery,  to  secure  the  fur  trade  and  control 
the  Indians.  Young  La  Salle  was  chosen  to  lead  this  enterprise.  He  did 
his  work  well,  and  in  the  meantime  mastered  the  Iroquois  and  seven  or 
eight  other  Indian  languages  and  dialects.  He  had  heard  of  a  river  which 
the  Indians  called  the  Ohio,  which  he  was  told  by  them  rose  in  their 
country,  flowing  into  the  sea,  but  its  mouth  was  eight  or  nine  months' 
journey  from  them.  He  concluded  that  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  merged 
into  one,  and,  thus  united,  flowed  into  the  "  Vermillion  Sea"  or  Gulf  of 
California,  and  must  be  the  long-sought  route  to  China.  After  many  de- 
lays, he  succeeded  in  fitting  out  an  expedition,  descended  the  Ohio  to  the 
falls  at  Louisville,  and  returned.  During  the  years  1669-70  and  '71,  La- 
Salle's  whereabouts  seem  to  have  been  an  enigma  to  all  historians.  He 
has  left  records  which  establish  a  possibility  that  he  discovered  the  Illi- 
nois and  even  the  Mississippi  Rivers,  before  Joliet  and  Marquette,  but 
there  is  nothing  positive  to  assure  it.  It  is  agreed  that  he  seceded  from 
an  expedition  of  Jesuits  organized  at  Fort  St.  Louis,  Sept.  30,  1669,  near 
the  head  of  Lake  Ontario,  and,  receiving  the  blessings  of  the  priests,  left 
them,  ostensibly  to  return  to  Montreal.  It  seems  that  he  busied  himself 
in  active  explorations,  kept  a  journal,  and  made  maps,  which  were  in  ex- 
istence in  the  hands  of  his  neice,  Madeline  Cavelier,  as  late  as  1756,  and 
then  disappeared.  It  is  claimed  that  among  these  papers  was  a  statement 
showing  that  after  leaving  the  priests  he  went  from  Lake  Erie  down  the 


THE  EXPLORATIONS  OF  LA  SALLE.  37 

Ohio,  and  thence  followed  the  Mississippi  to  the  thirty-third  parallel ; 
also,  another  statement  that  in  the  winter  of  1(><>9-70  he  embarked  on  Lake 
Erie,  passed  around  to  Lake  Michigan,  crossed  over  to  a  river  flowing 
westward  (the  Illinois),  and  following  it  down,  entered  a  larger  one  flow- 
ing south  (the  Mississippi),  and  descended  it  to  the  thirty-sixth  degree  of 
latitude,  where  he  stopped,  assured  that  it  discharged  itself,  not  into  the 
Gulf  of  California,  hut  that  of  Mexico.  As  he  and  the  prietts  had 
started  on  the  same  mission,  that  of  discovering  the  great  river,  it  may  be 
that  this  report  was  manufactured  so  as  to  take  the  glory  of  this  first  dis- 
covery away  from  them ;  but  La  Salle  was  a  man  of  a  far  higher  order  of 
integrity  and  character  than  this  supposition  would  imply.  That  he  dis- 
covered the  Ohio  is  certain,  but  whether  he  saw  the  Illinois  before  Joliet 
and  Marquette  is  doubtful,  and  the  alleged  voyage  by  him  to  the  Missis- 
sippi is  still  more  so. 

In  1678  La  Salle  seemed  to  have  determined  upon  achieving  what 
Champlain  had  vainly  attempted — the  opening  of  a  passage  across  the 
continent  to  India  and  China,  to  occupy  the  Great  West,  develop  its  re- 
sources, and  anticipate  the  English  and  Spanish  in  its  possession ;  and 
now  that  he  was  convinced  that  the  Mississippi  flowed  into  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  he  would  establish  a  fortified  post  at  its  mouth,  thus  securing  the 
outlet  for  the  trade  of  the  interior,  and  check  the  progress  of  the  Span- 
iards, the  enemies  of  his  king.  Spain  already  laid  claim  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Mississippi  and  what  afterward  came  to  be  known  as  Louisiana,  by 
virtue  of  discovery,  and  the  ambitious  Count  Frontenac,  Governor  Gen- 
eral of  Canada,  determined  to  prevent  an  extension  of  their  territory, 
worked  out  the  plan  before  referred  to,  and  selected  La  Salle  as  the  right 
man  to  execute  it. 

He  chose  his  men  for  the  voyage,  but  when  all  was  in  readiness  Fron- 
tenac had  not  the  necessary  means,  and  La  Salle  was  obliged  to  seek  aid 
in  France.  There,  also,  he  received  nothing  better  than  the  privilege  of 
doing  anything  he  could  for  the  glory  of  France,  at  his  own  expense ! 
Not  only  that,  he  was  limited  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  mighty 
schemes  to  five  years'  time.  His  relatives,  who  were  rich,  finally  helped 
him  to  money,  and  he  sailed  to  Canada  with  thirty  men,  sailors,  carpenters 
and  laborers,  among  whom  was  the  afterward  famous  Henry  de  Tonti,  an 
Italian  officer,  one  of  whose  hands  had  been  blown  off  in  the  Sicilian 
wars,  and  he  wore  a  substitute  of  iron. 

La  Salle  needed  a  priest  for  his  exploring  party,  and  Father  Louis 


38  KECOKDS   OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Hennepin  was  secured  for  that  service.  When  arrayed  for  his  journey 
the  priest  wore  a  coarse  gray  capote  with  peaked  hood,  sandals  on  his 
feet,  the  cord  of  St.  Francis  about  his  waist,  and  a  rosary  and  crucifix 
hanging  at  his  side.  He  carried  a  sort  of  portable  altar  with  him,  which 
he  could  strap  on  his  back  like  a  knapsack.  The  party  rendezvous  was  at 
Fort  Frontenac,  where  Kingston  now  stands.  La  Salle  at  once  dispatched 
fifteeiwmen  in  canoes  to  Lake  Michigan,  to  open  a  trade  with  the  Indians 
and  collect  provisions,  while  La  Motte  and  Hennepin,  with  a  crew  of  men 
in  a  small  vessel,  were  sent  up  the  Niagara  River,  and  after  many  hard- 
ships discovered  the  Great  Falls.  In  the  meantime  La  Salle,  sailing  with 
the  Tinto  to  bring  supplies  to  the  advance  party  at  Niagara,  had  suffered 
the  loss  of  his  vessel,  which  was  wrecked,  and  he  reached  the  rendezvous 
at  Niagara  on  foot.  But  not  discouraged,  he  set  about  the  construction 
of  a  fort  and  palisade,  and  also  a  new  vessel,  the  Griffin.  Leaving  his 
men  at  work,  he  made  his  way  back  to  Frontenac,  a  distance  of  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles,  through  snow  and  over  ice,  for  fresh  supplies.  He 
returned  in  July,  the  Griffin  was  launched,  and  they  sailed  away  Au- 
gust 7,  1679,  in  all  thirty-four  men.  He  made  his  voyage  around  the 
lakes  to  Green  Bay,  and  loading  the  Griffin  with  furs,  sent  her  back  to 
appease  his  clamorous  creditors.  She  foundered  on  the  way,  and  was 
never  more  heard  of. 

La  Salle,  with  fourteen  men  in  four  canoes,  now  started  southward  on 
Lake  Michigan,  and  after  escaping  perils  by  storm  and  suffering  from 
hunger  and  cold,  reached  St.  Joseph,  on  the  southern  shore  of  the 
lake,  in  safety.  Here  Tonti  was  to  have  joined  him  with  twenty  men,  but 
did  not  arrive  until  twenty  days  afterward,  bringing  a  sad  tale  of  disaster 
to  his  men  and  loss  of  supplies. 

On  the  8th  of  December,  1679,  La  Salle,  with  a  party  of  thirty-three 
pei'sons,  ascended  the  St.  Joseph  until  the  well-known  portage  was  reached, 
where  they  dragged  their  canoes  a  distance  of  five  miles  to  the  waters  of 
the  Kankakee,  a  confluent  of  the  Illinois,  down  which  they  paddled. 
While  looking  for  the  crossing  La  Salle  was  lost  in  a  snow  storm,  remain- 
ing out  one  day  and  a  night  before  reaching  camp. 

"The  stream,  which  at  its  source  is  narrow  and  fed  by  exudations  from 
a  spongy  soil,  widens  quickly  into  a  river,  down  which  they  floated  through 
a  lifeless  solitude  of  dreary,  barren  oak  openings.  At  night  they  built  fires 
on  the  ground,  made  firm  by  frost,  and  bivouacked  among  the  rushes.  A 
few  days  brought  them  to  the  prevailing  characteristic  scenery  of  the 


THE  EXPORATIONS  OF  LA  SA1LE.  39 

Illinois.  On  the  right  and  left  stretched  boundless  prairies,  dotted  with 
leafless  groves  and  bordered  by  gray  forests,  scorched  by  the  fires  kindled 
in  the  dried  grass  by  Indian  hunters,  and  strewn  with  the  bleached  skulls 
and  bones  of  innumerable  buffalo.  At  night  the  horizon  glowed  with 
distant  fires,  and  by  day  the  savage  hunters  could  be  descried  roaming  on 
the  verge  of  the  prairies." 

This  soon  changed  to  woody  hills,  which  from  their  summits  disclosed 
a  rolling  sea  of  dull  gray  prairie,  recently  swept  by  fire,  and  everywhere, 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  a  boundless  pasture  for  vast  herds  of  rumi- 
nant animals. 

They'  passed  the  mouth  of  Fox  River,  the  future  site  of  Ottawa,  saw 
Buffalo  Rock  towering  isolated  in  the  valley,  and  below  it  the  far-famed 
Starved  Rock,  a  lofty  cliff,  crested  with  trees  that  overhung  the  rippling 
current,  while  before  them  spread  the  broad  valley  of  the  river,  along 
whose  right  bank  was  the  "Great  Illinois  Town,"  or  chief  village  of  the 
Illinois  Indians,  containing,  according  to  Hennepin,  four  hundred  and 
sixty  lodges.  The  town  was  deserted.  The  people  had  gone  away  on 
their  annual  fall  hunt,  but  La  Salle  supplied  himself  with  corn  from  their 
caches,  and  pursued  his  voyage  to  perhaps  near  the  mouth  of  what  is  now 
Bureau  Creek,  where  he  landed,  and  sent  out  a  party  to  hunt  buffalo— a 
herd  being  seen  a  short  distance  from  the  river.  Two  animals  were  killed, 
when  the  hunters  returned  to  camp.  The  following  day  being  New 
Year's,  Jan.  1st,  1680,  the  voyageurs  went  on  shore  at  a  point  thought 
by  some  writers  to  have  been  in  the  vicinity  of  Hennepin,  where  they 
set  up  an  altar  and  celebrated  mass. 

Re-embarking,  the  party  passed  down  the  river,  through  what  are  now 
Marshall  and  Putnam  counties,  on  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  days  of  January, 
1680,  two  hundred  years  ago,  and  on  January  4th  entered  Lake  Pimiboni, 
"a  place  where  there  are  many  fat  beasts,"  or  Peoria  Lake,  and  thence 
down  to  the  lower  end,  where  La  Salle  proposed  to  erect  a  fort.  The  na- 
tives who  met  him  were  kind,*but  told  of  adjoining  tribes  who  were 
hostile. 

Continuing  their  journey,  and  passing  through  a  somewhat  narrow 
passage,  they  rounded  a  point,  and  beheld  about  eighty  wigwams  along 
the  bank  of  the  river.  The  Indians  crowded  the  shore  at  the  unwonted 
sight,  while  La  Salle  marshalled  his  men,  and  with  the  canoes  abreast 
and  every  man  armed,  pulled  into  the  bank  and  leaped  ashore.  The  In- 
dians were  disposed  to  resent  the  strange  intrusion,  but  La  Salle  held 


40  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

aloft  the  calumet,  the  Indian  sign  of  peace,  and  the  amicable  token  was 
accepted,  and  a  feast  of  welcome  was  spread  for  the  weary  voyagers. 

The  Indians,  as  a  token  of  highest  courtesy,  conveyed  the  food  to 
the  mouths  of  their  guests,  and  rubbed  their  feet  with  bear's  grease. 
When  these  somewhat  extravagant  courtesies  were  over,  and  all  had  eaten 
to  repletion,  La  Salle  told  whence  he  came  and  whither  he  was  going ; 
spoke  of  the  great  king,  his  master,  who  owned  all  the  countiy,  and  gra- 
ciously promised  them  protection  provided  they  remained  his  friends ;  to 
all  of  which  they  assented. 

La  Salle  had  left  behind  him  in  Canada  some  bitter  and  relentless  ene- 
mies, who  had  followed  him  even  to  this  remote  region  in  the  West. 
During  his  first  night  here,  an  emissary  from  them,  a'Mascoutiri  chief,  and 
four  or  five  Miamis,  came  bringing  knives,  hatchets  and  kettles  to  the  Illi- 
nois, and  while  La  Salle  was  in  his  camp,  after  leaving  the  tribe  who  had 
been  feasting  him,  and  whose  friendship  he  thought  he  had  secured,  these 
intriguers  assembled  the  chiefs  in  secret  conclave  and  denounced  La  Salle 
as  a  spy  from  the  Iroquois,  the  deadly  foe  of  the  Illinois. 

Hennepin,  in  his  work  printed  in  1724,  charges  the  Jesuits  with  being 
at  the  bottom  of  this  work,  naming  Allouez,  a  prominent  member  of  that 
order,  and  La  Salle's  enemy,  as  one  of'  the'  prime  movers. 

In  the  morning,  La  Salle  saw  a  change  in  the  countenances  and  be- 
havior of  his  hosts.  They  looked  at  him  askance  and  sullen.  At  length 
one  of  them,  whom  the  day  before  he  had  more  completely  won  over  than 
the  rest,  by  liberal  presents,  came  and  gave  him  the  secret.  La  Salle  saw 
in  this  the  device  of  his  enemies,  and  his  suspicions  were  confirmed  at  a 
feast  given  in  the  afternoon.  The  chief  told  the  Frenchmen,  before  eat- 
ing, that  they  had  been  invited  there  to  refresh  their  bodies  and  cure  their 
minds  pf  the  dangerous  purpose  of  descending  the  Mississippi.  Its  shores 
were  not  only  beset  by  savage  tribes  in  fearful  numbers,  against  whom 
their  courage  would  avail  nothing,  but  its  waters  were  infested  by  ser- 
pents, alligators  and  unnatural  monster^,  while  hidden  rocks,  whirlpools 
and  other  dangers  awaited  them.  La  Salle,  however,  cared  not  for  these; 
he  feared  more  the  secret  machinations  of  his  enemies.  He  astonished 
them  by  a  knowledge  of  the  secret  council  of  the  previous  night,  and 
charged  that  the  presents  given  by  his  enemies  were  at  the  very  moment 
of  his  speech  hidden  under  the  floor  where  they  sat.  He  demanded  the 
presence  of  the  spies  and  liars  who  had  come  in  the  night  to  traduce  him, 


LA  SALLE IIENNEPIN.  41 

and  dare  not  meet  him  to  his  face,  in  the  light  of  day.  This  speech  qui- 
eted the  chiefs,  and  the  feast  went  on. 

Next  morning  LaSalle  found  that  six  of  his  men,  two  of  his  best  car- 
penters, had  deserted  and  left  him.  This  loss,  together  with  the  lurking, 
half  mutinous  discontent  of  o'thers,  cut  him  to  the  heart.  Not  only  this, 
but  an  attempt  was  actually  made  to  poison  him.  Tonti  informs  us,  "that 
poison  was  placed  in  the  pot  in  which  the  food  was  cooked,  but  LaSalle 
was  saved  by  a  timely  antidote. 

Feeling  insecure  in  his  position  he  determined  to  leave  the  Indian 
camp  and  erect  a  fort,  where  he  could  be  better  able  to  protect  himself. 
He  set  out  in  a  canoe  with  Hennepin  to  visit  the  site  for  this  projected 
fort.  It  was  half  a  league  below  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  river,  or 
lake,  and  was  intended  to  be  a  very  secure  place.  On  either  side  was  a 
deep  ravine,  and  in  front  a  low  ground,  which  overflowed  in  high  water. 
It  was  completely  isolated  by  the  ravine  and  ditches,  and  surrounded  by 
lofty  embankments,  guarded  by  a  chevaux  de  frise,  while  a  palisade 
twenty-five  feet  high  surrounded  the  whole.  This  fort  he  called  Creve 
Cceur  (broken  heart).  The  many  disasters  he  had  encountered — the  toil,  suf- 
fering and  treachery,  coupled  with  the  attempt  to  take  his  life,  were  quite 
enoiigh  to  suggest  the  idea  of  a  broken  heart.  After  a  time  he  took  courage, 
"and  not  having  abandoned  his  grand  scheme  of  going  down  to  the  sea, 
collected  and  organized  such  scanty  means  as  he  had  and  began  to  build 
another  ship.  While  engaged  upon  this  work,  he  concluded  that  he  might 
get  more  vahiable  service  out  of  Hennepin  as  a  voyageiir  than  as  a  preach- 
er, and  much  to  that  priest's  surprise,  remonstrance  and  regret,  put  him  in 
a  canoe,  provided  him  with  two  men  as  companions,  gave  him  food  and 
presents  for  the  Indians,  and  instructed  him  to  explore  the  Illinois  River 
to  its  mouth.  Hennepin  wrote,  "Anybody  but  me  would  have  been  very 
much  frightened  at  the  dangers  of  such  a  journey,  and,  in  fact,  if  I  had 
not  placed  all  my  trust  in  God,  I  should  not  have  been  the  dupe  of  La- 
Salle, who  exposed  my  life  rashly." 


HENNEPIN  S    EXPLORATIONS. 


This  intrepid  explorer  was  inspired  by  extreme  religious  fervor,  and 
possessed  a  courage  almost  superhuman.  He  left  an  extensive  accoxmt  of 
his  experience  in  the  wilderness,  but  historians  are  compelled  to  recognize 


42  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

in  him  habits  of  exaggeration  especially  commendatory  of  his  own  lofty 
achievements,  far  above  his  merit.  His  vicious  attempts  to  malign  his 
commander,  LaSalle,  and  defraud  him  of  laurels  justly  won,  have  materi- 
ally detracted  from  an  otherwise  glorious  record. 

He  published  a  book  soon  after  his  return,  and  while  LaSalle  was  still 
alive,  in  which  he  says  he  went  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River, 
and  thence  followed  the  Mississippi  to  the  moiith  of  the  Wisconsin,  where 
he  was  captured  by  Indians.  Fourteen  years  later,  and  after  LaSalle  was 
dead,  he  issued  a  new  edition  in  which  he  makes  a  new  and  surprising 
revelation,  claiming  to  have  explored  the  whole  course  of  the  Mississippi 
to  the  sea,  and  returning  went  up  the  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  captured. 
He  gives  as  a  reason  for  not  divulging  this  before,  that  "his  personal 
safety  required  him  to  keep  silent  while  LaSalle  lived,  who  wished  to  re- 
tain all  the  glory  and  honor  of  the  discovery.  But  the  two  statements 
conflict  so  materially  as  to  dates  and  in  other  circumstances,  and  especially 
improbable  is  the  time  given  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  southern  voy- 
age and  return,  that  he  is  very  justly  disbelieved.  Enough,  however,  of 
both  stories  has  been  gathered  and  corroborated  by  other  testimony  to 
make  it  certain  that  the  party  of  three  men,  of  whom  Accau,  or  Ako  was 
the  leader  (and  not  Hennepin,  as  he  pompously  pretends),  did  proceed 
down  the  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1680,  to.  its  mouth,  and  thence  to  the 
Wisconsin,  where  on  the  llth  or  12th  of  April,  as  they  stopped  one  after- 
noon to  repair  their  canoe,  a  war  party  of  Sioux  swept  down  and  carried 
them  off.  The  prisoners,  after  innumerable  hardships,  were  taken  up  the 
Mississippi  two  hundred  miles  north-west  of  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony, 
and  after  two  years,  were  released  by  a  small  party  of  fur  traders  under 
Greylson  du  Thut,  or  (Du  Luth),  who  obtained  their  freedom,  and  Hen- 
nepin went  to  Canada,  and  thence  to  France,  where  he .  died  at  an  ad- 
vanced age. 

LA  SALLE   RETURNS    TO    CANADA. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1680,  LaSalle,  leaving  Fort  Creve  Co3ur  in  com- 
mand of  Tonti,  with  five  men  embarked  for  Canada.  They  reached  Peoria 
Lake  and  found  it  sheeted  with  ice,  and  had  to  drag  their  canoes  up  the 
bank  and  through  the  forest  lining  its  shores. 

They  constructed  two  rude  sledges,  placed  the  canvas  and  baggage 
upon  them,  and  dragged  them  four  leagues  through  the  woods,  till  they 


LA  SALLE'S  RETURN  TO  CANADA.  43 

reached  an  open  current  above  the  lake.  Launching  their  frail  barks  they 
paddled  on  until  masses  of  ice  too  heavy  to  be  broken  stopped  further  pro- 
gress, again  they  loaded  their  canoes  and  hauled  them  two  leagues  over 
a  frozen  marsh,  where  they  encamped  in  a  rain  storm  in  an  old  Indian 
hut.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  March  they  piirsued  their  way  on  land 
a  league  and  a  half  further,  then  launched  them  and  breaking  the  ice  with 
hatchets,  forced  their  way  up  stream.  Thus  on  land  and  ice  and  in  the 
water  they  plodded  their  weary  way  until  at  length  they  reached  the 
great  Illinois  town,  still  without  inhabitants.  On  the  following  day  Chas- 
sagoac,  the  principal  chief  of  the  town,  and  two  followers,  returned  from 
their  hunt,  and  a  friendly  acquaintance  was  made,  the  chief  promising  to 
send  fresh  meat  to  Tonti  at  Creve  Coeur. 

Here  LaSalle  first  observed  the  remarkable  and  afterwards  historic  cliff 
since  called  "  Starved  Rock,"  and  determined  to  erect  a  fort  thereon,  sending 
word  to  Tonti  of  his  intention,  and  instructing  him  to  make  it  his  strong- 
hold in  time  of  need.  On  the  15th  he  continued  his  journey.  The  trip 
was  a  repetition  of  their  experience  below.  On  the  18th  they  reached  a 
point  near  the  present  site  of  Joliet,  where  they  hid  their  canoes  and 
struck  across  the  country  for  Lake  Michigan.  This  part  of  their  route 
was  even  more  laborious  and  difficult  than  what  had  been  passed.  For 
many  miles  the  country  was  a  vast  morass  covered  with  melting  snow  and 
ice.  A  river  (the  Calumet)  and  innumerable  swollen  streams  had  to  be 
crossed  ere  they  reached  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  around  which  they 
passed,  and  traversing  the  peninsula  of  Michigan,  arrived  at  Detroit,  and 
finally  on  Easter  Monday  reached  Niagara,  after  sixty-five  days  of  severe 
toil.  He  had  in  the  meantime  received  disastrous  news  from  Tonti,  whose 
men,  described  as  "two  faithful  persons  and  twelve  knaves,"  had  revolted. 
"The  knaves," after  destroying  Fort  Creve  Cceur,  had  followed  LaSalle, 
and  having  gained  recruits — now  numbering  twenty  men — had  plundered 
the  magazine  at  Niagara,  and  were  on  the  road  to  waylay  and  murder 
LaSalle.  Hastily  gathering  a  few  brave  men,  he  went  back  to  give  them 
battle.  Taking  position  where  neither  himself  nor  men  could  be  seen,  he 
watched  the  enemy  slowly  approach,  their  canoes  widely  separated.  At- 
tacking them  in  detail,  he  killed  two  men  and  took  the  restprisoners, 
sending  them  to  Fort  Frontenac  for  trial. 


LA  SALLE'S  SECOND  VOYAGE. 


With   characteristic  energy,  La  Salle  prepared  for  another  voyage  of 


44  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

discovery.  With  the  aid  of  friends,  lie  appeased  his  creditors  and  raised 
the  means  to  equip  an  expedition;  and  with  twenty-five  men,  on  the 
10th  of  August,  he  set  out,  taking  his  former  course  around  the  lakes 
and  down  the  Kankakee,  arriving  at  Starved  Rock,  Dec.  1,  1(580,  to 
find  the  great  Indian  town  at  its  base  in  utter  ruin  and  desolation. 
The  Iroquois  had,  only  a  few  days  before,  swept  down  upon  its  people 
and  massacred  them, —  men,  women  and  children,  leaving  their  charred  re- 
mains and  ghastly  skeletons  only,  to  tell  the  awful  tale.  Six  posts  painted 
red,  on  each  of  which  was  drawn  in  black  the  figure  of  a  man  with  eyes 
bandaged,  led  him  to  infer  that  these  represented  Tonti  and  his  party,  as 
prisoners. 

He  pushed  on  down  to  Fort  Creve  Cceur,  which  he  found  demolished, 
though  the  vessel  which  he  had  built  was  entire,  save  the  nails  and  iron 
spikes,  which  had  been  drawn.  Leaving  this,  he  continued  his  voyage, 
until  he  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  the  great  object  of  his 
dreams  and  ambition. 

Leaving  a  sign  and  a  letter  for  Tonti,  he  returned  the  same  way,  to 
Canada. 

LA  SALLE'S  THIRD  VOYAGE. 

Although  failure  and  disaster  had  attended  all  previous  efforts  to 
cany  out  his  grand  scheme,  the  intrepid  explorer  determined  on  another 
effort.  Much  time  was  spent  in  oi-ganizing  a  new  expedition.  He  had 
heard  of  Tonti's  safe  arrival  among  the  Pottawatomies,  near  Green  Bay, 
and  sent  for  him.  He  next  journeyed  to  the  Miami  Village,  at  the  head 
of  the  Kankakee,  made  a  speech  to  the  Indians  there  assembled  in  grand 
council,  and  set  forth  some  of  his  plans,  going  thence  to  Michilimacinac, 
where  he  found  Tonti  and  his  followers,  and  returned  again  to  Port 
Frontenac, 

Some  time  was  spent  in  organizing  another  expedition,  but  in  the  fall 
of  1081  his  party,  consisting  of  twenty-three  Frenchmen,  ten  women, 
three  children,  and  eighteen  Indians  who  had  fought  with  King  Philip 
against  the  Puritans  of  New  England  --  in  all  fifty-four  persons  —  em- 
barked, and  reached  the  present  site  of  Chicago  December  21. 

The  rivers  were  tightly  frozen  up,  arid  constructing  sledges,  they 
loaded  up  their  canoes  and  hauled  them  over  the  ice  and  snow  to  Peoria. 
Dwellers  along  the  river  can  appreciate  the^  hardships  of  transporting  a 


FURTHER    EXPLORATIONS    OF    LA  SALLE.  45 

party  of  fifty-four  persons,  with  clothing,  baggage  and  provisions,  a  dis- 
tance of  two  hundred  miles,  in  mid-winter. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  1682,  LaSalle  and  his  party  entered  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  sailed  down  to  its  mouth.  They  found  a  different  reception 
from  what  was  experienced  upon  former  expeditions,  and  occasionally  had 
to  fight  their  way ;  but  on  the  6th  of  April  they  gained  the  sea,  where 
La  Salle  erected  a  column  bearing  the  arms  of  France,  and  in  a  formal 
proclamation  took  possession  of  the  country  of  Louisiana  in  the  name  of 
the  king,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Ohio,  and  from  the 
River  of  Palms  (the  liio  Grande)  on  the  west,  and  all  nations,  peoples, 
provinces,  etc.,  to  the  frozen  northernmost  limits.  The  Louisiana  of  La 
Salle  stretched  from  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  British  America  —  the  great  Mississippi  Valley. 

Here  he  rested  until  his  recovery  from  a  severe  illness,  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  Straits  of  Michilimacinac,  where,  hearing  the  Iroquois  were 
about  to  renew  their  attacks  on  his  friends  the  Illinois,  he  ordered  Tonti 
to  fortify  Starved  Rock,  where  he  joined  him  in  December,  1682.  The 
work  was  named  Fort  St.  Louis,  and  consisted  of  earthworks,  with 
strong  palisades  in  the  rear,  while  wary  sentinels  mounted  guard  at  the 
only  practicable  approach.  The  remains  of  these  works  are  still  visible, 
after  a  lapse  of  two  hundred  years. 

La  Salle  proposed  founding  a  colony  and  a  trading  depot  for  the  West, 
where  he  should  rule  and  reign  like  some  great  feudal  lord,  and  thus  con- 
trol the  entire  country.  The  Illinois  Indians  were  delighted  at  seeing 
such  a  redoubtable  warrior  begin  to  fortify  here,  not  only  to  defend  him- 
self, but  to  protect  them,  as  he  had  promised.  They  returned  to  their 
ruined  city,  and  began  to  rebuild  it  on  a  larger  scale  than  ever.  Other 
tribes  also  came  to  join  in  a  confederacy  of  peace  and  unity,  and  make  the 
Indian  town  their  capital.  But  La  Salle  was  becoming  the  victim  of  new 
and  complicated  difficulties. 

La  Barre,  the  new  Governor,  a  most  despicable  character,  became  his 
enemy,  and  began  to  undermine  and  traditce  the  great  explorer  to  the 
king.  La  Salle  was  thus  compelled  to  return  to  France,  and  lay  the  his- 
tory of  his  many  adventures  before  His  Majesty.  His  character  was  fully 
vindicated,  new  honors  were  heaped  upon  him,  and  he  was  sent  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  to  conquer  the  Spanish,  then  at  war  with  France. 

He  sailed  with  four  ships,  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  a  good  sup- 
ply of  provisions  and  materials  with  which  to  start  a  colony.  Associated 


46  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

with  him  in  command  was  a  man  named  Beaujeau,  who  proved  the  evil 
genius  of  the  expedition.  He  quarrelled  with  La  Salle,  and  did  all  in  his 
power  to  thwart  him. 

One  of  the  ships  was  lost  on  the  way,  another  was  taken  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  Beaujeau  deserted  with  one  ship  and  returned.  La  Salle 
was  wrecked  on  the  coast,  and  endured  all  manner  of  hardships  while 
wandering  in  the  interior  of  what  is  now  Texas. 

At  length,  while  making  his  way  overland-  to  Canada,  at  a  point  sup- 
posed to  be  somewhere  near  Arkansas  Post,  he  was  assassinated  by  one  of 
his  followers,  March  19,  1687. 

Thus  perished,  at  the  age  of  43,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  men, 
whose  history  is  embalmed  in  the  imperishable  records  of  the  New  World. 


MILITARY    OPERATIONS INDIAN    WARS.  47 


CHAPTER  IV. 

FROM    MONARCHY    TO    REPUBLICANISM. 

"HE  death  of  LaSalle  practically  ended  the  era  of  discovery  on 
this  continent.  The  great  lakes  had  been  located  and  the 
lines  of  the  principal  rivers  marked  out,  and  what  remained 
to  be  done  was  hereafter  to  be  accomplished  by  private  en- 
tei-prise.  The  English  colonized  New  England  and  laid  the 
basis  of  the  great  Republic,  and  the  French  settled  Canada, 
establishing  a  series  of  military  and  trading  posts  in  the 
Northwest  to  control  the  fur  trade  and  hold  possession  of 
the  country.  The  English  colonists  pushed  across  the  Alleghanies,  and  in 
the  deep  forests  of  the  Ohio  encountered  the  French,  and  sharp  contests 
ensued  that  were  duly  reported  at  the  Court  of  St.  James  and  at  Versailles. 
Great  events  were  rapidly  ripening,  and  the  French  and  Indian  war  of 
1754-63,  ending  in  the  discomfiture  of  the  French,  and  the  transfer  of  the 
country  to  the  English,  was  the  result.  In  this  contest,  the  few  colonists 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  took  little  part  or  interest.  The  Northern  In- 
dian nations  sympathised  with  the  French,  and  parties  from  the  prairies 
joined  them  in  incursions  against  the  New  England  colonists,  but  when 
peace  came  they  returned  to  their  homes,  and  the  belligerent  tribes  sub- 
mitted to  the  "long  knives." 

For  ten  years  or  more  peaee  reigned,  and  the  few  settlers  pursued  their 
avocations  unmolested.  A  few  remote  frontier  posts  in  the  northwest 
were  held  by  the  English,  and  a  plan  was  set  on  foot  by  Capt.  Clark  to 
surprise  and  capture  them.  Gathering  his  forces  at  what  is  now  Louis- 
vile,  he  embarked  his  men  and  sailed  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  and 
thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  Kaskaskia,  which  surrendered  without  a  blow. 
Without  delay  he  marched  to  surprise  Vincennes,  a  fortified  post  on  the 
Wabash,  which  also  fell  into  his  hands,  and  the  influence  of  the  British 
over  the  tribes  of  the  prairies,  was  ended.  They  were  not  wholly  paci- 
fied, however,  and  numbers  of  Illinois  Indians  fought  Gen.  Harmar  and 
aided  in  defeating  him  near  Fort  Wayne,  in  1789,  and  also  Gen.  St. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Clair,  on  the  St.  Maiy,  a  tributary  of  the  Maumee,  where  the  latter  lost 
six  hundred  men. 

In  1794  "Mad  Anthony"  Wayne  signally  defeated  them  at  the  Rapids 
of  the  Maumee,  and  compelled  them  to  sue  for  peace.  In  that  battle, 
Black  Partridge,  Gomo,  Black  Hawk,  Shaubena,  Senachwine,  and  most  of 
the  Illinois  Indians  participated  and  lost  heavily.  Peace  followed,  and 
continued  until  British  emissaries  incited  them  to  fresh  massacres  in  the 
war  of  1812. 


THE    MOUND    BUILDERS. 


49 


P HE-HISTORIC  RACES. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    MOUND    BUILDERS. 

OME  notice,  though  a  brief  one,  is  due  the  mysterious  people 
tli at  inhabited  the  valleys  of  the  Great  West  previous  to  the 
advent  of  the  red  man.  From  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  from  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Pacific, 
are  evidences  of  an  extinct  race,  a  mysterious  people,  far  su- 
perior to  those  whom  the  first  explorers  found  in  possession 
of  the  country.  They  have  passed  away  and  left  no  records 
from  which  the  historian  can  gather  the  story  of  their  lives, 
except  such  as  are  disclosed  in  the  singular  mounds  found  along  the  great 
rivers  and  water  courses  of  the  West.  Although  their  works  are  every- 
where about  us,  whence  they  came,  the  age  in  which  they  flourished,  and 
the  time  of  their  decay  and  fall  are  all  buried  in  the  unknown  past.  No 
p?>et  has  chanted  their  stoiy;  no  adventurous  Layard  has  \inveiled  their 
secrets.  The  cities  they  built  have  vanished;  the  temples  they  reared,  are 
overthrown,  their  names  are  forgotten,  their  records  obliterated,  and 
their  very  existence  doubted! 

This  much  is  known,  or  rather  conjectured.  They  were  below  the  aver- 
age stature  of  to-day- — were  a  purely  agricultural  people,  industrious,  pa- 
tient, easily  governed,  in  strict  subjection  to  their  rulers,  and  dwelt  in 
large  communities.  They  possessed  a  knowledge  of  metals,  and  were 
probably  the  artisans  who  long  ago  toiled  in  the  mines  of  Lake  Superior, 
and  left  behind  evidences  of  their  work.  They  were  peaceful  and  un- 
warlike,  and  to  their  incapacity  for  defence  is  probably  due  their  over- 
throw. 

When  Peru  was  overran  by  the  Spaniards,  they  found  there  a  civiliza- 
tion as  far  advanced  as  their  own.  There  were  houses  built  of  stone  and 
wood,  and  great  temples  and  public  works.  Excellent  roads  extended 
into  every  part  of  the  empire ;  yet  the  people  who  reared  these  structures 


50  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

were  strangers  to  the  soil,  whom  tradition  said  came  from  the  far  North, 
whence  they  were  driven  by  a  fiercely  warlike  people  to  found  new  homes 
in  more  propitious  climes,  and  the  theory  is  not  difficult  to  maintain  that 
the  mound-builders  of  North  America  and  the  race  inhabiting  Mexico 
when  Cortez  invaded  it  are  identical. 

There  is  reason  for  the  belief  that  after  their  exodus  from  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  their  homes  were  for  centuries  in  Central  America,  where 
they  built  the  great  cities  of  Uxmal,  Palenque  and  Copan,  and  reared  the 
vast  temples  whose  remains  rival  even  Thebes  in  extent  and  magnificence. 
A  portion,  meanwhile,  settled  in  Arizona,  and  built  the  "Seven  Cities" 
described  by  Major  Powell  and  others,  where,  in  their  rocky  fastnesses, 
dwell  the  Moquis  to-day, —  supposed  descendants  of  the  ancient  mound- 
builders. 

Numerous  remains  of  this  exiled  race  are  found  in  the  counties  of 
Marshall  and  Putnam,  but  extensive  explorations  fail  to  discover  in  them 
aught  more  valuable  than  a  few  implements  and  ornaments  of  stone,  with 
an  occasional  jar  of  clay,  of  rude  manufacture. 

Beneath .  the  moimds  are  usually  found  one  or  more  skeletons,  with 
ashes,  coals,  and  other  evidence  going  to  show  the  bodies  were  first  burned. 
Prof.  Gifford,  who  has  given  the  subject  careful  study,  finds,  upon  micro- 
scopical examination,  blood  crystals  mixed  in  large  quantities  with  the 
earth,  and  cites  it  to  prove  the  mounds  were  for  sacrifice  as  well  as  sepul- 
ture. The  skulls  found  show  low  and  receding  foreheads,  long  from  front 
to  back,  narrow  at  the  top  and  wide  toward  the  base,  indicating  a  patient 
people,  with  some  intelligence,  but  wholly  different  from  the  crania  of 
modern  Indians. 

These  remains  indicate  that  this  whole  countiy  was  once  populated 
with  a  race  as  old  as  those  who  built  the  pyramids  of  Egypt.  While  in 
some  places  a  single  mound  is  observable,  in  others  they  are  in  groups  and 
series,  in  which  some  trace  a  resemblance  to  serpents,  animals,  etc.,  and 
teim  them  mounds  of  worship;  but  such  conclusions  are  at  best  fanciful, 
and  rest  solely  on  a  basis  of  conjecture. 

Some  of  these  structures  are  of  considerable  extent,  as  witness  the 
large  mound  north  of  Chillicothe,  and  the  long  line  which  crown  the 
bluffs  in  the  rear  of  '  Squire  Taliaferro's,  in  Senachawine  Township,  in  one 
of  which  the  old  chief  of  that  name  was  buried. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Lacon  are  still  to  be  seen  these  evidences 
of  a  remote  ancestry,  while  on  the  bhiffs  of  Sparland,  extensive  and  well- 


LOCAL  EVIDENCES  OF  FORMER  RACES.  51 

defined  mounds  are  found,  which  have  never  been  disturbed;  and  in  the 
lower  part  of  Lacon  township,  and  across  the  line  in  Woodford  county, 
near  what  is  called  "Low  G-ap,"  they  are  specially  numerous. 

The  builders,  it  is  supposed,  used  these  works  for  the  combined  pur- 
poses of  military  defence,  religious  sacrifices  and  ceremonies,  and  burial 
places  for  the  dead.  The  sites  were  carefully  selected  with  reference  to 
their  surroundings  of  country,  and  generally  near  some  large  stream, 
though  not  always,  for  they  crown  the  highest  hills  often,  and  when  so 
found  are  called  "  mounds  of  observation,"  from  which  signals  of  danger 
were  flashed  in  times  of  war. 

In  a  few  localities,  groups  of  mounds  are  found,  covering  a  large  space 
of  ground  and  laid  out  with  some  sort  of  system,  as  at  Hutsonville, 
111.,  Fort  Aztalan,  Ind.,  and  at  different  places  in  Indiana,  Wisconsin  and 
Ohio.  In  some  localities  are  found  articles  of  finer  manufacture,  showing 
greater  skill  and  proficiency,  such  as  specimens  of  pottery,  drinking  cups, 
ornaments,  pipes,  etc.,  etc. 

From  all  the  data  that  can  be  gathered,  the  people  of  whom  we  have 
written  were  overcome  and  driven  from  the  country  by  a  more  warlike 
race,  at  a  period  many  hundreds  of  years  before  the  advent  of  the  white 
man.  Their  conquerers  were  the  supposed  ancestors  of  the  Indians  found 
in  possession,  and  probably  belonged  to  some  Eastern  tribe,  crossing  in 
their  boats  from  the  Asiatic  shore,  though  evidence  is  not  wanting  that 
the  continents  were  once  united,  and  passage  by  land  easily  effected.  But 
their  triumph  was  not  forever.  The  "palefaces"  came,  with  engines  of 
fire,  and  the  red  man,  with  his  bow  and  arrows,  contended  in  vain  against 
the  superior  intelligence  of  the  new  foe.  Backward,  step  by  step,  he  was 
driven  towards  the  great  sea,  and  the  time  is  not  distant  when  the  last 
Indian  and  the  buffalo  shall  disappear  together. 


UNIVERSITY  Of 

LIBRARY 


52 


RECORDS    OF    TIIK    OLDEN    TIME. 


THE  ABORIGINES  AND  EARLY  SETTLERS. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

% 

THE    INDIANS. 

red  men  whom  the  first  discoverers  found  inhabiting  this 
continent  possessed  neither  records  nor  written  language, 
and  all  themselves  knew  concerning  their  history  was 
veiled  in  tradition.  Some  tribes  made  a  slight  approach  to 
"picture  writing,"  embraced  in  roiigh  and  stupidly  devised 
hieroglyphics,  at  best  vague  and  uncertain  to  those  for  whom 
they  were  intended,  and  quite  as  liable  to  mislead  as  to  con- 
vey correct  information.  Their  language,  though  rough  and 
uncouth  to  educated  ears,  is  said  to  have  possessed  singular  beauty,  flexibility 
and  adaptability.  It  had  a  general  plan  of  formation,  and  its  similes  were 
derived  from  nature,  partaking  of  the  flowery  prairies,  the  winds  of  autumn, 
the  blackened  plains  of  spring,  the  towering  cliff,  the  craggy  bluff,  and  the 
great  river.  The  deer  was  the  representative  of  fleetness,  the  eagle  of 
vision,  the. wolf  of  ferocity,  the  fox  of  cunning,  the  bear  of  endurance,  the 
bison  of  usefulness.  The  passions  were  symbolized  in  the  animals  and 
birds  around  them.  The  elements- — fire,  water  and  air — were  mysterious 
agents  for  their  use;  the  thunder  the  voice  of  their  terrible  Manitou,  or 
God,  and  the  lightning  His  avenging  spear ! 

While  the  different  tribes,  in  habits,  customs,  and  even  dispositions, 
were  marked  by  great  contrasts,  in  their  general  characters  they  were  alike. 
Some  were  more  advanced  toward  civilization  than  others.  Some  were  in- 
clined to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture  as  a  means  of  obtaining  food,  others  re- 
jected it  totally,  and  relied  upon  the  spear,  or  the  bow  and  arrow  for  food. 
The  Indians  of  Maine  lived  wholly  upon  the  products  of  the  waters;  those 
who  dwelt  about  St.  Lawrence  and  Lake  Ontario  were  all  hunters.  The 
Algonquins,  though  ordinarily  hunters,  often  subsisted  for  weeks  upon 
roots,  barks,  the  buds  of  trees,  and  the  foulest  offal.  Even  cannibalism 


HURONS  —  IBOQUOIS.  53 

was  not  unknown,  but  all  historians  agree  it  was  never  resorted  to  except 
upon  occasions  of  dire  necessity. 

The  Hurons,  a  numerous  tribe  that  once  peopled  a  part  of  Canada,  built 
hoiises  of  bark  and  lived  on  corn,  smoked  fish,  etc.  Among  them  was 
individual  ownership  of  land,  each  family  having  exclusive  right  to  so 
much  as  it  saw  fit  to  cultivate.  The  clearing  process  was  a  toilsome  one, 
for  Indians,  like  the  first  settlers  in  the  West,  preferred  a  field  in  the  tim- 
ber or  oak  and  hazel  barrens,  rather  than  one  cleared  by  nature.  The 
clearing  was  done  by  cutting  off  branches,  piling  them  together  with 
brashwood  around  the  foot  of  standing  trunks,  and  setting  fire  to  them. 
The  squaws  worked  with  hoes  of  wood  and  bone,  raised  corn,  beans, 
pumpkins,  tobacco,  simflowers,  etc.  At  intervals  of  from  ten  to  thirty 
years  the  soil  was  exhausted,  and  firewood  difficult  to  obtain,  so  the  village 
was  abandoned  and  fresh  soil  and  timber  found.  They  pounded  their  corn 
in  mortars  of  wood  hollowed  out  by  alternate  burnings  and  scrapings. 
They  had  stone  axes,  spears  and  arrow  heads,  and  bone  fish  hooks.  They 
had  birch  bark  canoes, — masterpieces  of  ingenuity,  and  showed  considera- 
ble skill  in  making  a  variety  of  articles. 

"Wampum,  the  money  of  all  Indian  tribes,  likewise  an  ornament  and 
evidence  of  value,  consisted  of  elongated  white  and  purple  beads  made 
from  the  inner  part  of  certain  shells.  It  is  not  easy  to  conceive  how,  with 
their  rude  and  dull  implements,  they  contrived  to  shape  and  perforate  this 
intractable  and  fragile  material.  The  New  England  Puritans  beat  the 
inventors  in  making  wampum,  and  flooded  the  Indian  markets  with  a 
counterfeit,  which,  however,  was  far  more  beautiful  and  valuable  in  the 
eye  of  the  Indian  than  the  best  he  could  make.  The  bogus  article  soon 
drove  the  genuine  out  of  existence! 

The  dress  of  these  Indians  was  chiefly  made  from  skins,  cured  with 
smoke.  The  women  were  modest  in  their  dress,  but  condemned  at  an 
early  age  to  a  life  of  license  or  drudgery. 

The  Iroquois,  who  drove  out  the  Illinois,  were  a  warlike,  cunning 
race.  -Each  clan  bore  the  name  of  some  animal,  as  bear,  deer,  wolf,  hawk 
etc.,  and  it  was  forbidden  for  any  two  persons  of  the  same  clan  to  inter- 
marry. A  Hawk  might  marry  a  Wolf,  or  Deer,  or  Tortoise,  but  not  a 
Hawk.  Each  clan  had  what  was  called  its  totem,  or  emblem.  The  child 
belonged  to  the  clan  not  of  the  father,  but  of  the  mother,  on  the  ground 
that  "only  a  wise  child  knoweth  its  own  father,  but  any  fool  can  tell 
who  his  mother  is !"  All  titles  and  rank  came  through  the  mother,  and  not 


54  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

the  father,  and  a  chief's  son  was  no  better  than  the  son  of  the  humblest  in 
the  tribe.  He  could  neither  inherit  title  nor  property  from  his  father,  not 
even  so  much  as  a  tobacco  pipe.  All  possessions  passed  of  light  to  the 
brothers  of  the  chief,  or  to  the  sons  of  his  sister,  since  all  were  sprung  from 
a  common  mother.  This  rule  of  transmission  of  property  and  titles  ap- 
pears to  have  been  universal  among  all  Indians.  The  Iroquois  were 
divided  into  eight  clans,  and  claimed  to  trace  their  descent  to  a  common 
mother.  Their  chiefs  were  called  sachems,  and  numbered  from  eight  to 
fourteen  in  each  of  their  five  nations,  making  about  fifty  in  all,  which 
body  when  met  constituted  their  government. 

This  great  tribe  of  Indians,  which  once  ruled  the  greater  part  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  had  a  form  of  government  closely  allied  to  republican- 
ism. They  had  various  bodies  between  the  people  and  the  High  Council, 
or  Cabinet,  and  a  completely  organized  system  of  ruling  on  a  demo- 
cratic plan.  Their  deliberations  in  the  Congress  of  Sachems  would  shame 
our  American  Congress  in  dignity,  decorum,  and  often,  we  fear,  in  good 
sense  !  Here  were  some  of  their  rules  :  "No  haste  in  debate.  No  heat  in 
arguing  questions.  No  speaker  shall  interrupt  another.  Each  gave  his 
opinion  in  turn,  supporting  it  with  what  reason  or  rhetoric  he  could  com- 
mand, first  stating  the  subject  of  discussion  in  full,  to  show  that  he  un- 
derstood it. 

Thus  says  Lafitau,  an  eminent  writer :  "  The  result  of  their  deliber- 
ations was  a  thorough  sifting  of  the  matter  in  hand,  while  the  practical 
astuteness  of  these  savage  .politicians  was  a  marvel  to  their  civilized  con- 
temporaries, and  by  their  subtle  policy  they  were  enabled  to  take  com- 
plete ascendency  over  all  other  Indian  nations." 


RELIGION    AND    SUPERSTITIONS. 

"The  religious  belief  of  the  North  American  Indians,"  says  Foster, 
'  was  anomalous  and  contradictory,  yet  they  conceived  the  existence  of 
one  all-ruling  Deity,  a  thought  too  vast  for  Socrates  and  Plato !  To  the 
Indian,  all  the  material  world  was  intelligent,  and  influenced  human  des- 
tiny and  had  ears  for  human  suffering,  and  all  inanimate  objects  had  the 
power  to  answer  prayer !  Lakes,  livers,  waterfalls  and  caves  were  the 
dwelling-places  of  living  spirits.  Men  and  animals  were  of  close  kin. 
Each  species  of  animals  had  its  progenitor  or  king  somewhere,  prodigious 


SUPERSTITIONS    AND   TRADITIONS.  55 

in  size,  and  of  shape  and  nature  like  its  subjects.  A  hunter  was  anxious 
to  propitiate  the  animals  he  sought  to  kill,  and  woiild  address  a  wounded 
bear  in  a  long  harangue  of  apology !  The  beaver's  bones  were  treated 
with  especial  tenderness,  and  carefully  kept  from  the  dogs,  lest  its  spirit 
or  its  surviving  brethren  should  take  offense.  The  Hurons  had  a  custom 
of  propitiating  their  fishing-nets,  and  to  persuade  them  to  do  their  duty 
and  catch  many  fish,  they  annually  married  them  to  two  young  girls  of  the 
tribe,  with  great  ceremony!  The  fish,  too,  were  addressed  each  evening 
by  some  one  appointed  to  that  office,  who  exhorted  them  to  take  courage 
and  be  caught,  assuring  them  that  the  utmost  respect  should  be  shown 
their  bones.  They  were  harrassed  by  innumerable  and  spiteful  evil  spir- 
its, which  took  the  form  of  snakes,  beasts  or  birds  to  hinder  them  in 
hunting  or  fishing,  or  in  love  or  war. 

Each  Indian  had  a  personal  guardian  or  manitou,  to  whom  he  looked 
for  counsel,  aid  and  protection.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  the  Indian  boy 
blackened  his  face,  retired  to  some  solitaiy  place  and  remained  without  food 
for  days,  until  the  future  manitou  appeared  in  his  dreams,  in  the  form  of 
beast,  or  bird,  or  reptile,  to  point  out  his  destiny.  A  bear  or  eagle  would 
indicate  that  he  must  be  a  warrior;  a  wolf,  a  hunter;  a  serpent,  a  medicine 
man;  and  the  young  man  procured  some  portion  of  the  supposed  animal 
seen  in  his  vision,  and  always  wore  it  about  his  person. 

All  Indian  tribes  trace  themselves  back  to  one  mighty  pair,  like  the 
sun  and  moon,  a  flood,  and  some  shadowy  outline  of  creation  similar  to 
that  of  all  other  nations  of  the  earth. 

Indian  history  rests  on  tradition  alone,  and  they  do  not  trace  them- 
selves back  beyond  a  generation  or  two.  The  Iroquois  were  the  first  In- 
dians in  this  country  that  white  men  could  establish  with  any  certainty. 
The  Algonquins  came  nejrt.  They  embraced  all  the  known  tribes,  inclu- 
ding the  Illinois,  Pottawatoniies,  Sacs  and. Foxes,  Kickapoos,  etc.  The 
Dakotas  occupied  the  Great  West,  and  claimed  sovereignty  from  the  Alle- 
ghanies  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

The  Illinois  occupied  the  region  now  comprised  in  this  State,  the  name 
meaning  "superior  men."  They  were  a  confederation  of  several  Indian 
tribes,  who  built  arbor-like  cabins  covered  with  waterproof  mats,  with 
generally  four  or  five  fires  to  a  cabin,  and  two  families  to  a  fire. 

After  an  eventful  career,  they  were  nearly  all  exterminated  or  driven 
from  the  State.  They  gave  place  to  the  Sacs,  Foxes  and  Pottawatomies. 
The  latter,  in  about  1600,  were  numerous  about  the  Southern  Peninsula 


56  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

of  Michigan.  The  Iroquois  drove  them  to  Green  Bay,  whence  they 
spread  over  Wisconsin  and  Northern  Illinois.  They  lived  in  this  region 
until  expelled  by  the  whites,  at  the  close  of  the  disastrous  Black  Hawk 
war. 


INDIANS    OF    MARSHALL    AND    PUTNAM    COUNTIES. 

After  Tonti's  garrison  was  dispersed,  about  1718,  the  Pottawatomies 
and  a  few  remnants  of  other  tribes  continued  to  inhabit  the  region  of 
country  between  Peoria  and  Ottawa.  They  dwelt  mainly  at  the  places 
named,  while  Indian  Town,  now  Tiskilwa,  was  always  a  favorite  resort. 
Hennepin,  Lacon,  Sparland,  Senachwine  and  other  localities  along  the 
river  were  the  homes  of  certain  members  of  the  clan.  They  raised  small 
fields  of  corn,  trapped  for  muskrats  and  beavers,  hunted  wild  game, 
and  sold  honey  to  the  settlers  in  exchange  for  such  "necessaries"  as 
beads,  whisky,  brass  jewelry,  tobacco,  and  the  like.  They  were  true  to 
all  their  superstitious  beliefs  and  customs,  notwithstanding  the  teachings 
of  the  missionaries  and  the  example  of  the  whites  around  them.  They 
seemed  attached  to  their  hunting  and  fishing  grounds,  but  chiefly  because  the 
river  afforded  plenty  of  fish  and  the  country  an  abundance  of  game.  Here 
were  their  sugar-camps,  and  in  the  bottoms  their  kindred  were  buried,  and 
many  years^after  their  departure  small  parties  were  in  the  habit  of  re- 
turning and  looking  upon  the  graves  of  their  departed  friends.  The  set- 
tlers plowed  over  the  burial  grounds  and  destroyed  the  landmarks  around 
them,  so  that  now  the  locality  of  most  of  these  is  lost.  They  had  a  great 
veneration  for  their  dead,  and  buried  them  with  great  ceremony. 

In  the  winter  of  1831-2,  Hemy  K.  Cassell,  an  old  settler  of  Lacon, 
witnessed  a  curious  performance  by  the  Indians  of  this  region.  They  had 
received  word  from  Lieut.  Governor  Menard  that  they  must  leave  their 
homes  along  the  Illinois  River,  and  prepared  at  once  to  obey,  as  by  treaty 
they  were  compelled  to  do.  Their  first  movement  was  to  collect  the  dead 
upon,  the  frozen  liver,  packed  in  wooden  troughs.  When  this  was  done, 
all  hands  joined,  and  with  a  mighty  push  they  were  moved  across  the 
channel.  The  white  men  were  asked  to  assist,  but  it  looked  to  them  very 
much  like  robbing  a  grave-yard,  and  they  declined. 

The  Indians  found  here  were  Pottawatomies,  with  a  mixture  of  Winne- 
bagoes,  Kickapoos,  Sacs  and  Foxes.  The  leading  chiefs  were  Senachwine, 
whose  principal  village  was  on  the  creek  that  commemorates  his  nanie?  one 


SEN  ACH  WINE SHAUBENA SHICK-SIIACK.  5  7 

mile  north  of  Chillicothe ;  and  Shaubena,  whose  village  was  above 
Ottawa,  on  the  Illinois  River.  Senachwine  was  a  flue-looking  Indian, 
and  education  would  have  made  him  a  leader  in  any  community.  In  early 
life  he  joined  the  British,  and  was  with  Tecumseh  when  the  latter  lost  his 
life.  When  peace  was  declared,  he  returned  to  his  people,  and  was  always 
after  the  fast  friend  of  the  white  man. 

About  1828-9,  there  came  where  Rome  now  stands  a  settler  named 
Taliaferro,  the  first  to  rear  his  cabin  upon  the  site  of  the  "eternal  city." 
His  nearest  neighbors  were  four  miles  away,  and  when  sickness  came,  and 
neither  doctor  nor  nurse  were  to  be  had,  he  felt  that  he  was  indeed  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

Old  settlers  say  the  "ague  never  kills;"  but  it  was  wonderfully  annoy- 
ing, and  when  the  emigrant  saw  his  wife  tossing  in  the  delirium  of  fever 
and  no  arm  to  help  or  assist,  he  realized  how  poor,  and  helpless,  and  im- 
potent is  man,  cut  off  from  his  fellows. 

One  sultry  afternoon,  while  fanning  the  fevered  brow  and  bathing  the 
burning  temples  of  his  wife,  there  dismounted  at  his  door  a  band  of  twenty 
or  more  Indians,  at  the  head  of  whom  was  Senachwine.  The  old  chief, 
who  was  not  unknown  to  the  white  man,  entered  unceremoniously,  and 
with  a  gutteral  "How,"  took  his  seat  at  the  bedside.  For  some  time  he 
gazed  upon  the  sufferer,  and  knowing  that  woman's  aid  was  most  needed, 
asked  why  he  did  not  go  for  white  squaw  to  help  take  care  of  her.  Mr. 
T.  replied  that  he  could  not  leave  her  alone,  when  the  Indian  proposed  to 
take  his  place  and  tend  the  patient  until  his  return.  The  off  er  was  ac- 
cepted, and  the  chief,  first  forbidding  his  people  to  enter  the  cabin,  sat 
down  and  fanned  her  brow  and  bathed  her  temples  as  gently  and  tenderly 
as  could  her  husband,  until  the  latter's  return. 

Senachwine  died  somewhere  about  1830,  and  was  buried  upon  a  high 
mound  half  a  mile  north  of  Putnam  Station,  in  Putnam  County.  His 
name  is  given  to  the  township  in  which  he  is  buried. 

Shaubena  was  another  chief  of  prominence  and  influence  among  the 
Indians  of  this  neighborhood.  He  was  a  friend  to  the  whites,  and  was  well 
known  to  the  old  settlers.  He  followed  his  people  to  the  West,  but  re- 
turned with  his  family,  and  died  about  1859.  Another  well-known  In- 
dian chief  had  a  village  at  the  mouth  of  Clear  Creek,  in  Putnam  County. 
This  was  Shick-Shack,  who  was  converted  and  became  an  earnest  preacher 
of  the  Gospel.  He  was  an  ardent  temperance  reformer,  and  his  code  of 
morals  would  rival  the  Draconian  code  of  ancient  Sparta. 


58  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

On  the  site  of  Chillicothe  was  an  Indian  village  ruled  over  by  a  chief 
named  Gomo.  He  was  sent  as  a  hostage  to  St.  Louis,  to  insure  the  per- 
formance of  certain  treaty  stipulations  entered  into  by  his  tribe. 

Across  the  river,  in  Woodford  County,  at  what  has  long  been  known 
as  the  Big  Spring,  was  the  village  of  the  noted  chief,  Black  Partridge. 
He  was  long  a  friend  of  the  whites,  but  in  revenge  for  the  wanton  de- 
struction of  his  village  became  their  relentless  enemy,  and  during  the 
years  1813-14  raided  the  settlements  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
He  died  peacefully  at  home. 

Where  Lacon  stands  a  band  of  Indians  had  their  village,  led  by  a 
chief  named  Markwhet.  Their  winters  were  passed  in  the  bottoms  west 
of  the  house  of  the  late  Benjamin  Babb.  They  were  removed  west  of 
the  Mississippi  after  the  Black  Hawk  war.  There  was  also  a  village  at 
Sparland,  but  the  name  of  the  chief  is  not  now  known.  It  was  probably 
governed  by  one  of  those  previously  named. 


FIRST   PERMANENT   SETTLEMENT.  59 


CHAPTER  IX. 

EARLY    FRENCH  '  SETTLEMENTS. 

>HE  first  permanent  settlement  in  the  State  was  begun  in  1(598, 
when  Father  Gravier  established  a  mission  at  Kaskaskia. 
Here  came  a  portion  of  the  dwellers  at  Starved  Rock,  where 
LaSalle  in  1682  built  a  fort,  which  he  named  St.  Louis,  and 
founded  a  colony.  It  had  a  somewhat  precarious  existence 
until  1718,  when  the  site  was  abandoned,  and  its  occupants 
joined  their  friends  in  the  southern  pail  of  the  (future)  State. 
Cahokia  was  settled  in  1702,  by  Father  Pinet.  In  after 
years  it  became  a  town  of  considerable  importance,  but  its  glory  long  since 
departed. 

In  1699,  D'  Ibeifcdlle,  a  distinguished  Canadian  officer,  was  appointed 
Governor  of  Louisiana,  by  which  name  the  French  possessions  in  the 
North  and  West  were  known ;  and  after  his  death  the  King  of  France 
granted  it  to  M.  Antoine  Crozat,  a  wealthy  nabob,  who,  failing  to  real- 
ize as  hoped  for,  abandoned  it  in  1717,  and  the  notorious  John  Law, 
an  enterprising  but  visionary  Scotchman,  became  its  owner  under  cer- 
tain conditions.  He  was  the  original  "Colonel  Sellers,"  and  organizer 
of  a  scheme  for  acquiring  sudden  wealth,  since  known  as  the  famous 
"Mississippi  Bubble."  He  made  Louisiana  the  principal  field  of  his  op- 
erations, where  gold  and  silver  mines  abounded( ! ),  out  of  which  the  share- 
holders in  the  "greatest  gift  enterprise  of  the  day"  were  to  become  mil- 
lionaires. 

His  schemes  all  failing,  in  1732  the  charter  was  surrendered  to  the 
king  and  the  territory  divided  into  nine  cantons,  of  which  Illinois  formed 
one. 

After  the  destruction  of  Fort  St.  Louis  by  the  Indians,  and  the  expul- 
sion of  Tonti's  garrison,  a  few  white  men  continued  in  the  vicinity  until 
about  1720,  when  all  left,  and  the  country  reverted  to  the  possession  of 
its~original  inhabitants.  In  1718  New  Orleans  was  settled,  and  trading 
posts  established  at  different  points  along  the  Mississippi  River  and  its 
tributaries.  As  early  as  1690  some  Canadian  Frenchmen  had  located 


60  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

themselves  at  a  few  points,  primarily  as  attaches  of  tradesmen,  and  later 
as  regular  settlers. 

In  the  summer  of  1711,  Father  Marest,  a  Jesuit  priest  from  Can- 
ada, preached  at  Cahokia  and  made  a  convert  of  an  Indian  chief  named 
Kolet,  who  persuaded  Father  Marest  to  go  with  him  to  Peoria  and  preach 
to  the  heathen  there.  The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  in  November  of 
that  year,  with  two  warriors,  the  missionary  started  in  a  bark  canoe.  The 
season  was  late,  and  after  progressing  about  five  leagues,  the  ice  became 
so  firm  they  had  to  abandon  their  canoes,  and  after  twelve  days  wading 
through  snow  and  water,  crossing  big  prairies  and  subsisting  on  wild 
grapes  with  a  little  game,  they  rt ached  the  Indian  village  of  Opa,  a  half  a 
mile  above  the  lower  end  or  outlet  of  the  lake,  and  were  hospitably  re- 
ceived by  the  natives. 

In  the  following  spring  some  French  traders  began  a  trading  post  here, 
and  a  number  of  families  came  from  Canada  and  established  themselves, 
living  at  peace  with  the  Indians  and  generally  intei  marrying  with  them. 

Until  1 750  but  little  was  known  of  the  various  French  villages  or  set- 
tlements in  the  State.  In  that  year  a  French  missionary,  named  Vevier, 
writes  from  "Aux  Illinois,"  six  leagues  from  Fort  Chartres,  June  8  :  "  We 
have  here  whites,  negroes  and  Indians,  to  say  nothing  of  cross-breeds. 
There  are  five  French  villages  and  three  villages  of  the  natives  within  a 
space  of  twenty-one  leagues — between  the  Mississippi  and  Karkadiad 
(Kaskaskia)  Riveis.  In  them  all  there  are  perhaps  eleven  hundred  peo- 
ple, three  hundred  whites  and  sixty  red  slaves,  or  savages.  Most  of  the 
French  till  the  soil.  They  raise  wheat,  cattle,  pigs  and  horses,  and  live 
like  princes.  Three  times  as  much  is  produced  as  can  be  consumed,  and 
great  quantities  of  grain  and  flour  are  shipped  to  New  Orleans." 

In  1750  the  French  had  stations  at  Detroit,  Michilimacinac,  Green 
Bay  and  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  and  were  the  only  possessors,  save  the  Indians, 
of  the  great  valley  east  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

In  1761,  Robert  Maillet  built  a  dwelling  one  and  a  half  miles  lower 
down,  and  moved  his  family  there.  This  was  called  the  "  New  Town," 
in  contradistinction  from  "Old"  or  "Upper  Town."  The  new  place  was 
known  as  La  ville  de  Maillet  (Maillet's  Village).  For  fifty  years  the  sole 
settlers  of  the  town  were  Frenchmen  and  Indians. 

So  far  back  as  1750,  the  English  began  to  assert  their  claims  to  the 
country  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  adventurous  explorers  sailed  down 
its  rivers  and  explored  the  great  lakes.  English  traders  penetrated  the 


"THE  COUNTY  OF  ILLINOIS."  61 

forest,  and  competed  for  the  fur  trade  with  their  ancient  enemies.  Collis- 
ions were  frequent,  and  in  the  deep  woods  were  fought  sanguinary  battles 
between  adherents  of  the  rival  nations.  A  long  and  bloody  war  followed, 
ending  in  the  final  discomfiture  of  the  French  and  the  transfer  of  sover- 
ereignty  over  the  northern  part  of  the  continent  to  England. 

In  1763,  Canada  and  all  of  Louisiana  north  of  the  Iberville  River 
and  east  of  the  Mississippi  were  ceded  to  England.  The  British  flag  was 
hoisted  over  old  Fort  Chartres,  in  what  is  now  Monroe  County,  111.,  in  1 765. 
At  that  time,  it  is  computed,  there  were  about  three  thousand  white  people 
residing  along  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Rivers.  The  oldest  town  —  Kas- 
kaskia — contained  about  one  hundred,  and  Cahokia  about  fifty  persons. 

After  the  capture  of  these  posts  .by  Gen.  Clark,  as  before  stated,  "he 
sent  three  men  to  Peoria  to  notify  the  inhabitants  of  the  change  of  sover- 
eignty, and  require  their  allegianc3.  One  of  these  messengers  was  Nich- 
olas Smith,  a  Kentuckian  by  birth,  whose  son  Joseph,  under  the  nickname 
of  "Dad  Joe,"  became  in  after  years  a  noted  border  character,  and  the 
place  where  he  once  lived — ten  miles  from  Princeton — still  bears  the 
name  of  "Dad  Joe's  Grove." 

In  that  year  the  County  of  Illinois  was  established,  "  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,"  which  was  to  include  within  its  boundaries  as  citizens  "all  who 
are  already  settled  or  may;"  which  leads  to  the  belief  that  the  then  mem- 
bers of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia  had  a  very  crude  idea  of  the 
country  over  which  by  the  right  of  conquest  they  assumed  sovereignty. 

With  peaca  came  the  establishment  of  various  colonies  in  the  West, 
and  in  1773  the  "Illinois  Land  Company"  obtained  a  grant  from  the  Indians 
by  treaty  and  purchase  of  a  tract  embracing  all  the  territory  "east  of  the 
Mississippi  and  south  of  the  Illinois  River." 

In  like  manner  the  Wabash  Company  obtained  a  grant  for  thirty- 
seven  millions  of  acres.  After  the  Revolution,  efforts  were  made  in  Con- 
gress to  obtain  governmental  sanction  to  these  enormous  land  grabs,  but 
fortunately  without  avail. 

In  1781,  a  colony  from  Virginia  settled  in  what  is  now  Monroe  County, 
but  the  hostility  of  the  Kickapoos,  a  fierce  and  warlike  tribe  of  Indians, 
compelled  them  to  live  in  forts  and  block-houses,  and  their  improvements 
were  limited. 

MIKES    AND    JAKES. 

During  the  devastating  border  wars  that  preceeded  the  final  breaking 


62  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

of  the  Indians'  strength  by  "Mad  Anthony"  Wayne,  the  infant  settle- 
ments suffered  severely,  but  with  peace  came  a  new  impetus  to  emigration, 
and  adventurous  hunters,  trappers,  boatmen  and  land  surveyors  invaded 
the  quiet  French  towns  of  Illinois.  The  former  were  termed  "  Mikes," 
from  a  noted  flat-boatman  named  Mike  Fink,  while  the  surveyors  and  land- 
hunters  were  styled  "Jakes,"  from  Jacob  staff,  a  surveyor's  implement. 
They  were  a  lawless,  turbulent  race,  given  to  whisky  and  broils,  but  in  a 
certain  way  open-hearted,  and  generous  to  a  fault.  Their  advent  among 
the  quiet,  simple-minded  French  was  neither  conducive  to  the  happiness 
or  good  morals  of  the  latter,  who  are  thus  described  by  Grov.  Ford,  from 
whom  we  quote:  "No  genuine  Frenchmen  in  those  days  ever  wore  a 
hat,  cap  or  coat.  The  heads  of  both  men  and  women  were  covered  with 
Madras  cotton  handkerchiefs,  tied  around  in  the  fashion  of  nightcaps. 
For  an  upper  covering  of  the  body,  the  men  wore  a  blanket  garment, 
called  a  'capote'  (pronounced  cappo),  with  a  cap  to  it  at  the  back 
of  the  neck,  to  be  drawn  over  the  head  for  protection  in  cold  weather, 
or  in  warm  weather  to  be  thrown  back  upon  the  shoulders  in  the  fashion 
of  a  cape.  Notwithstanding  this  people  had  been  so  long  separated  by  an 
immense  wilderness  from  civilized  society,  they  still  retained  all  the  suav- 
ity and  politeness  of  their  race,  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  the  rough- 
est hunter  and  boatman  amongst  them  could  at  any  time  appear  in  a  ball- 
room, or  other  polite  and  gay  assembly,  with  the  carnage  and  beha- 
vior of  a  well-bred  gentleman.  The  French  women  were  noticeable  for 
the  sprightliness  of  their  conversation  and  the  grace  and  elegance  of  their 
manners.  The  whole  population  lived  lives  of  alternate  toil,  pleasure,  in- 
nocent amusement  and  gaiety. 

"Their  horses  and  cattle,  for  want  of  proper  care  and  food  for  genera- 
tions, had  degenerated  in  size,  but  had  acquired  additional  vigor  and 
toughness,  so  that  a  French  pony  was  a  proverb  for  strength  and  endur- 
ance. These  ponies  were  made  to  draw,  sometimes  one  alone,  sometimes 
two  together — one  hitched  before  the  other,  to  the  plow,  or  to  carts  made 
entirely  of  wood,  the  bodies  of  which  held  about  the  contents  of  the  body 
of  a  wheelbarrow.  The  oxen  were  yoked  by  the  horns  instead  of  the 
neck,  and  in  this  mode  draw  the  cart  and  plow.  Nothing  like  reins  were 
used  in  driving;  the  whip  of  the  driver,  with  the  handle  about  two  feet 
and  a  lash  two  yards  long,  stopped  or  guided  the  horse  as  effectually  as 
the  strongest  lines. 

"Their    houses  were   built    of    hewn    timber,    set    upright    in    the 


CHARACTERISTICS    OF   EARLY    SETTLERS.  63 

ground  or  upon  plates  laid  xipon  a  wall,  the  intervals  between  the  uprights 
being  filled  with  stone  and  mortar.  Scarcely  any  of  them  were  more  than 
one  story  high,  with  a  porch  on  one  or  two  sides,  and  sometimes  all  around, 
with  low  roofs  extending,  with  slopes  of  different  steepness,  from  the 
comb  in  the  center  to  the  lowest  part  of  the  porch.  They  were  surrounded 
by  gardens  filled  with  fruits,  flowers  and  vegetables,  'and  if  in  town,  the 
lots  were  large  and  the  houses  neatly  whitewashed. 

"  Each  village  had  its  Catholic  church  and  priest.  The  church  was  the 
great  place  of  resort  on  Sundays  and  holidays,  and  the  priest  the  adviser, 
director  and  companion  of  all  his  flock."* 

Prior  to  1818  the  immigration  was  chiefly  from  Kentucky, Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania.  Some  of  the  emigrants  had  served  under  Gen.  Clark  in 
1778,  and  the  beauty  and  fertility  of  the  country  induced  them  to  make 
their  homes  here. 

In  1816,  the  American  Fur  Company,  with  headquarters  at  Hudson's 
Bay,  established  trading-posts  throughout  this  region,  one  being  located 
near  Hennepin,  and  another  about  three  miles  below  Peoria,  with  a  dozen 
or  so  at  interior  points  between  the  Illinois  and  Wabash  Rivers. 

Gurden  S.  Hubbard,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Chicago,  a  Vermonter 
by  birth,  when  sixteen  years  of  age  was  in  the  service  of  the  company,  in 
1818,  going  from  post  to  post,  distributing  supplies  and  collecting  furs. 

In  the  autumn  of  1821,  Joel  Hodgson  came  to  this  region  from  Clin- 
ton County,  Ohio,  in  behalf  of  a  number  of  families,  to  seek  a  location. 
He  traveled  on  horseback,  stopping  wherever  night  overtook  him,  and 
sleeping  in  his  blanket. 

He  crossed  the  State  of  Indiana  to  where  Danville  now  stands,  and 
then,  with  his  compass  for  a  guide,  traveled  northward  until  he  struck  the 
Illinois  at  the  mouth  of  Fox  River,  whancs  he  journeyed  southward.  He 
crossed  the  river  several  times,  exploring  both  sides  thoroughly,  as  well 
as  its  tributaries,  and  continued  xintil  he  reached  Dillon's  Grove,  in  Taze- 
well  County,  when  he  turned  homeward,  reporting  that  he  found  no  suita- 
ble place  for  the  proposed  colony. 

The  prairies  were  supposed  to  be  bleak,  cold  and  inhospitable,  and 
covered  with  a  rank  grass  of  no  value,  while  the  streams  were  lined  with 
thickets,  the  homes  of  fierce  beasts  and  deadly  reptiles.  It  was  a  paradise 
for  Indians,  but  a  poor  place  for  white  men.  But  when  he  saw  the  coun- 
try rapidly  filling  up,  and  the  new  settlers  growing  rich,  comfortable  and 

*  Ford's  History  of  Illinois. 


64  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

happy,   he  changed  his  opinion,  and  coming  West,   settled  in  Tazewell 
County  in  1828. 

When  the  State  was  admitted,  the  Government  ordered  a  survey  of 
the  country  bordering  the  Illinois,  and  its  division  into  townships.  The 
work  was  performed  by  Stephen,  Stycia,  and  Charles  Rector,  in  the  years 
1 8 1 9-20.  It  was  further  divided  into  sections  by  Nelson  Piper,  George 
Thomas  and  J.  F.  McCollum,  and  all  of  the  northern  part  of  the  State 
named  Sangamon  County. 


PEORIA  IN  1778. 

The  messenger  sent  by  General  Clark  found  a  large  town  built  along 
the  margin  of  the  lake,  with  narrow  streets  and  wooden  houses.  Back 
of  the  town  were  gardens,  yards  for  stock,  barns,  etc.,  and  among  these 
was  a  wine-press,  with  a  large  cellar  or  underground  vault  for  storing 
wine.  There  was  a  church,  with  a  large  wooden  cross,  an  unoccupied  fort 
on  the  bank  of  the  lake,  and  a  wind-mill  for  grinding  grain.  The  town 
contained  six  stores,  filled  with  goods  suitable  for  the  Indian  trade.  The 
inhabitants  were  French  Creoles,  Indians  and  half-breeds,  not  one  of  whom 
could  speak  a  word  of  English.  Many  of  them  had  intermarried  with 
the  natives,  and  their  posterity  to  this  day  show  certain  characteristics  of 
their  Indian  ancestry.  They  were  a  peaceable,  quiet  people,  ignorant  and 
superstitious.  They  had  no  public  schools,  and  but  few  of  them,  except 
priests  and  traders,  could  read  or  write.  In  after  years  there  was  consid- 
erable trouble  about  conflicting  titles,  growing  out  of  certain  "  French 
grants,"  and  .out  of  eighteen  litigants  but  three  could  sign  their  names." 
Some  of  their  merchants  made  annual  trips  in  canoes  to  Canada,  carrying 
peltries  and  furs,  and  returning  with  goods  for  the  Indian  market. 

"They  were  a  gay,  joyous  people,  having  many  social  parties,  wine 
suppers  and  balls,  and  lived  in  harmony  with  the  Indians,  who  were  their 
neighbors,  relatives  and  friends.  Real  estate  was  held  by  the  title  of  pos- 
session, and  each  settler  had  a  garden  adjoining  his  residence.  They  had 
likewise  extensive  farms  west  of  town,  enclosed  in  one  field,  though  the 
lines  of  each  separate  owner  were  well  defined.  When  a  young  man  was 
married,  a  village  lot  or  tract  of  land  in  the  common  field  was  assigned 
him,  and  if  he  had  no  house  the  people  turned  out  and  built  him  one. 
They  had  fine  vineyards,  and  yearly  made  large  quantities  of  wine,  which 
the  Indians  eagerly  sought  in  exchange  for  furs." 


INDIANS    THREATEN    TO    BURN    THE    CITY.  65 

The  pioneer  French  were  said  to  have  domesticated  the  buffalo,  and 
crossed  him  with  their  domestic  cattle,  producing  a  tough,  hardy  breed 
which  could  winter  in  the  river  bottoms  without  feed.  Indian  ponies  were 
the  only  horses  known  here,  or  anywhere  in  the  North-west,  until  about 
1760,  when  some  were  brought  from  Canada.  Hogs  and  cattle  were  in- 
troduced by  the  Spaniards,  and  through  them  by  the  French,  about 
A.  D.  1700. 

In  1781  a  Frenchman  killed  an  Indian,  and  for  a  time  the  white  peo- 
ple of  Peoria  were  threatened  with  destruction  by  the  excited  savages, 
who  surrounded  the  place  and  demanded .  the  murderer,  supposing  him  to 
be  hidden  in  the  town.  They  gave  the  French  three  days  in  which  to  sur- 
render the  culprit,  failing  in  which  they  threatened  to  burn  the  town.  A 
great  panic  prevailed ;  some  of  the  people  fled  to  Cahokia ;  others  took 
refuge  in  the  fort.  But  at  length  the  solemn  protestations  of  the  whites 
that  the  murderer  was  not  secreted  in  the  village  quieted  the  Indians, 
who  made  pledges  of  friendship  and  departed. 


66 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTER  X. 

MASSACRE   AT    FORT    DEARBORN. 

BESIDES  the  usual  and  expected  horrors,  every  war  furnishes 
exceptional  scenes  of  wholesale  slaughter  or  merciless  cruelty 
that  stand  out  in  bold  relief  and  commemorate  themselves 
in  history  as  specially  infamous.  Among  the  occurrences  of 
the  war  of  1812,  the  massacre  of  Fort  Dearborn,  at  Chicago, 
was  one  of  unusual  ferocity,  and  worthy  of  record  in  our 
brief  histoi-ical  resiune. 

The  garrison  consisted  of  fifty-four  men,  under  Capt. 
Heald.  The  resident  families  at  the  post  were  those  of  Capt.  Heald, 
Lieut.  Helm,  a  Mr.  Kenzie, — and  several  French  voyageurs  with  their 
wives  and  children  were  there. 

One  evening  in  April,  1812,  Mr.  Kenzie  sat  playing  on  his  violin,  to 
the  music  of  which  the  children  were  dancing,  when  Mrs.  Kenzie  came 
rushing  into  the  house,  pale  with  terror  and  anguish,  exclaiming:  "The 
Indians!  The  Indians  are  up  at  Lee's,  killing  and  scalping!"  The  fright- 
ened woman  had  been  attending  Mrs.  Barnes  (just  confined),  living  not 
far  off.  Mr.  Kenzie  and  his  family  at  once  crossed  the  river  to  the  fort, 
to  which  Mrs.  Barnes  and  her  infant  were  speedily  transferred,  and  where 
soon  all  the  settlers  and  their  families  took  refuge.  The  alarm  was  caused 
by  a  scalping  party  of  Winnebagoes,  who,  after  hovering  about  the  neigh- 
borhood several  days,  disappeared. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1812,  Gen.  Hull,  of  infamous  memory,  sent 
orders  from  Detroit  to  Capt.  Heald  to  evacuate  Fort  Dearborn  and  distrib- 
ute all  the  United  States  property  among  the  Indians !  The  Pottawatomie 
chief  who  brought  the  dispatch,  foreseeing  the  fearful  effects  of  such  a 
base,  cowardly  and  treacherous  order,  advised  Capt.  Heald  not  to  obey, 
as  the  fort  contained  among  its  supplies  several  barrels  of  whisky,  and 
knowing  its  effects  upon  the  infuriated  savages,  burning  with  hatred  of 
the  whites  and  full  of  revenge,  he  foresaw  that  an  indiscriminate  massa- 
cre of  all  who  were  incapable  of  defense  would  inevitably  follow.  He 


PREPARING  TO  EVACUATE  THE  FORT.  67 

said,  "Leave  the  fort  and  stores  as  they  are,  and  while  the  Indians  are 
making  the  distribution,  the  white  people  may  escape  to  Fort  Wayne." 

Capt.  Heald  called  a  council  with  the  Indians  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
12th,  in  which  his  officers  refused  to  join,  as  they  had  reason  to  fear 
treachery.  A  cannon  pointed  at  the  place  of  council,  however,  had  its 
intended  effect,  and  the  suspected  plot  was  frustrated. 

Mr.  Kenzie,  well  knowing  the  character  of  the  foe,  influenced  Captain 
Heald  to  withhold  the  distribution  of  the  powder,  and  on  the  night  of 
the  13th,  after  the  property  and  stores  had  been  given  out  to  the  shriek- 
ing mob  of  savages,  the  liquors  and  ammunition  were  thrown  into  the 
river,  and  the  muskets  broken  up  and  rendered  useless.  Black  Partridge, 
an  influential  chief  and  true  friend  of  the  whites,  came  that  afternoon  to 
Captain  Heald,  and  said:  "The  linden  birds  have  been  singing  in  my 
ears  all  day ;  be  careful  on  the  march  you  take." 

The  Indians  had  watched  the  fort  all  night,  and  took  note  of  the  pre- 
parations for  its  abandonment,  and  the  next  morning,  when  they  saw  the 
powder  floating  upon  the  surface  of  the  river,  were  exasperated  beyond 
bounds. 

After  the  fort  had  been  dismantled  and  the  dejected  inmates  were 
on  the  point  of  starting,  a  band  of  friendly  Miamis,  under  Captain 
Wells,  appeared  on  the  lake  shore,  and  inspired  the  garrison  with  new 
hope.  But  alas !  their  arrival  was  too  late  to  avert  the  threatened 
calamity.  Wells  was  an  uncle  of  Mrs.  Heald,  and  bore  among  the  Indi- 
ans the  name  of  "  Little  Turtle."  Learning  the  ignominious  and  fatal 
order  to  Captain  Heald,  he  had  secretly  left  Detroit  with  his  warriors, 
hoping  to  reach  Chicago  in  time  to  avert  the  catastrophe  he  knew  was  in- 
evitable; but  it  was  too  late. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  the  little  garrison  marched  out  of  the 
fort  at  its  southern  gate,  in  solemn  procession.  Captain  Wells,  who 
had  blackened  his  face  with  gunpowder,  in  token  of  his  fate,  took  the 
lead  with  his  Miamis,  followed  by  Captain  Heald,  with  his  wife  by  his 
side,  on  horseback.  Mr.  Kenzie  hoped  by  his  personal  influence  over  the 
savages  to  save  his  friends,  and  accompanied  the  retreating  garrison, 
leaving  his  family  in  a  boat  in  charge  of  a  friendly  Indian. 

The  procession  moved  slowly  along  the  lake  shore  till  they  reached 
the  sand-hills  between  the  prairie  and  the  beach,  when  the  Pottawatomies, 
commanded  by  Blackbird,  flled  in  front.  Wells,  who,  with  his  Miamis 
had  been  in  the  advance,  finding  the  enemy  before  him,  returned,  giving 


68  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

word  that  the  foe  were  about  to  make  an  attack.  Scarcely  had  the  words 
been  uttered  ere  a  storm  of  bullets  confirmed*  the  story.  The  Indians, 
though  ten  wamors  to  one  of  the  whites,  in  accordance  with  their  charac- 
teristic cowardly  mode  of  fighting  were  ambushed  among  the  sand-hills, 
which  the  white  troops  charged,  and  drove  them  out  upon  the  prairie. 
The  cowardly  Miamis  fled  at  the  outset,  and  the  brave  little  band  defended 
themselves  heroically  against  five  hundred  savages,  resolved  to  sell  their 
lives  as  dearly  as  possible. 

Capt.  Wells,  who  was  by  the  side  of  his  niece,  Mrs.  Heald,  when  the 
conflict  began,  said  to  her,  "We  have  not  the  slightest  chance  for  life. 
We  must  part  to  meet  no  more  in  this  world.  God  bless  you,"  and  dashed 
forward.  Seeing  a  young  warrior,  painted  like  a  demon,  climb  into  a 
wagon  in  which  were  twelve  children,  and  tomahawk  them  all,  he  cried 
out,  unmindful  of  his  personal  danger,  "If  that  is  your  game,  butchering 
women  and  children,  I  will  kill  too."  He  spurred  his  horse  toward  the 
Indian  camp,  where  they  had  left  their  squaws  and  pappooses,  hotly  pur- 
sued by  swift-footed  young  warriors,  rapidly  firing.  One  of  these  killed 
his  horse  and  wounded  him  severely  in  the  leg.  He  was  killed  and 
scalped,  and  his  heart  cut  out  and  eaten  while  yet  warm  and  bloody.  Mrs. 
Heald,  who  knew  well  how  to  load  and  fire,  engaged  bravely  in  the  fray. 
She  was  several  times  wounded,  and  when,  weak  from  loss  of  blood,  a 
brawny  savage  was  about  to  tomahawk  her,  she  looked  him  in  the  eye, 
and  in  his  own  language  exclaimed,  "Surely  you  will  not  kill  a  squaw!" 
Ashamed,  his  arm  fell  and  he  slunk  away. 

Mrs.  Helm,  Mr.  Kinzie's  step-daughter,  also  had  her  full  share  of  the 
bloody  work.  A  stout  Indian  tried  to  strike  her  with  a  tomahawk,  but  she 
sprang  aside  and  the  weapon  glanced  upon  her  shoiilder  as  she  grasped 
the  foe  around  the  neck  with  her  arms,  trying  at  the  same  time  to  seize 
the  scalping  knife  in  his  belt;  but  while  struggling  with  the  desperation 
of  despair  she  was  seized  by  a  powerful  Indian,  who  bore  her  to  the  lake 
and  plunged  her  into  the  water.  To  her  astonishment,  she  was  so  held 
that  she  could  not  drown,  nor  be  seen  by  any  of  the  Indians,  and  soon  dis- 
covered that  he  who  was  thus  shielding  her  was  the  friendly  chief,  Black 
Partridge,  who  thus  saved  her  life. 

The  wife  of  Sergeant  Holt  displayed  amazing  courage  and  prowess. 
She  was  a  very  strong  woman,  and  was  mounted  on  a  high-spirited  horse. 
The  Indians  coveted  the  animal,  and  tried  in  vain  to  dismount  or  kill  her, 
but  she  warded  off  the  blows  by  which  they  strove  to  beat  her  down,  and 


MASSACRE    OF    THE    WOUNDED INCIDENTS.  GO 

defended  herself  bravely,  with  her  husband's  sword.  She  escaped  from 
her  enemies  and  dashed  across  the  prairie,  the  admiring  Indians  shouting, 
"  Brave  squaw !  brave  squaw !  No  hurt  her !  "  but  was  overtaken  by 
an  Indian  who  pulled  her  from  her  horse  by  the  hair,  and  made  her  cap- 
tive. She  was  kept  prisoner  for  several  years,  and  forced  to  marry  among 
them.  When  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  little  band  were  killed  or  wounded, 
the  Indians  drew  off.  Numbers  of  their  warriors  had  been  killed,  and 
they  proposed  a  parley.  The  whites,  upon  promise  of  good  treatment, 
agreed  to  surrender.  Mrs.  Helm  had  been  taken,  bleeding  and  suffering, 
to  the  fort  by  Black  Partridge,  where  she  found  her  step-father  and 
learned  that  her  husband  was  safe. 

The  soldiers  gave  up  their  arms  to  Blackbird,  and  the  survivors  became 
prisoners  of  war,  to  be  exchanged  or  ransomed.  With  this  understanding, 
they  were  marched  to  the  Indian  camp  near  the  fort.  Here  a  new  horror 
was  enacted,  for  the  Indians  claimed  the  wounded  were  not  included  in  the 
surrender,  and  they  were  mercilessly  slaughtered,  their  scalps  being  taken 
to  the  infamous  British  General  Proctor,  at  Maiden,  Canada,  who  had 
offered  the  Indians  large  rewards  for  the  scalp  of  every  soldier  brought 
to  him. 

In  connection  with  the  massacre  of  Foil  Dearborn,  Matson,  in  his 
work  upon  the  Indians  of  the  Illinois,  gives  the  following  incident  which 
he  professes  to  have  learned  from  one  of  the  survivors :  "A  Mrs.  Bee- 
son,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Lee,  was  a  little  girl  at  the  time,  but 
well  remembers  the  frightful  event.  Her  father's  dwelling  stood  on  the 
beach  of  the  lake,  near  the  fort,  and  back  of  it  was  a  small  garden  where 
he  raised  vegetables  for  the  garrison*,  at  a  good  profit.  His  family  at  the 
time  of  the  massacre  consisted  of  his  wife,  an  infant  two  months  old,  a 
son,  a  daughter  Lillie,  two  little  boys,  and  Mary.  When  the  troops  left 
for  Fort  Wayne,  Mr.  Lee's  family  accompanied  them,  the  mother  and  in- 
fant and  two  younger  children  in  a  covered  wagon,  and  the  two  girls  on 
horseback.  Little  Lillie,  ten  years  old,  was  a  very  handsome  child,  a 
great  pet  among  the  soldiers  and  citizens,  but  she  never  appeared  more 
beautiful  than  on  that  fatal  morning.  She  was  mounted  on  a  large  gray 
horse,  and  to  prevent  her  from  falling  off,  was  securely  tied  to  the 
saddle.  She  wore  a  white  ruffled  dress,  trimmed  with  pink  ribbon,  and  a 
black  jockey  hat  with  a  white  plume  on  the  side.  As  the  horse  pranced 
and  champed  its  bits  at  the  sound  of  martial  music,  little  Lillie  in  a 
queenly  manner  sat  in  her  saddle,  chatting  gaily  with  her  sister,  uncon- 


70  RECORDS   OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

scious  of  the  awful  fate  so  near.  When  the  Indians  opened  fire,  Lillie 
was  badly  wounded  and  lost  her  seat,  but  was  restrained  from  falling  off 
the  horse  by  the  cord  with  which  she  was  bound.  Her  horse  ran  back 
and  forth  until  caught  by  an  Indian  named  Waupekee,  who  knew  her 
well,  and  at  her  father's  cabin  had  often  held  her  on  his  knee.  In  relat- 
ing it  afterward,  he  said  it  grieved  him  to  see  the  little  girl  suffer  so,  and 
out  of  kindness  he  split  open  her  head  with  his  tomahawk  and  ended  her 
misery.  He  used  to  say  '  it  was  the  hardest  thing  he  ever  did.'  ' 

Mr.  Lee  and  his  three  sons  were  killed  in  the  battle,  but  Mrs.  Lee  and 
infant  and  Mary  were  taken  prisoners  by  Waupekee,  who  had  a  village  on 
the  Des  Plains  River.  This  chief  was  kind  to  them,  and  wanted  to  many 
the  mother,  notwithstanding  the  trifling  impediment  of  having  three  other 
wives  on  hand  at  the  time !  But  she  declined  the  honor.  During  her 
stay  with  him  her  child  became  very  ill,  and  both  Indian  skill  and  en- 
chantment and  her  own  knowledge  failed  to  restore  it  to  health.  She 
consented  to  let  Waupekee  take  it  to  Chicago,  where  lived  a  French  trader 
named  DuPin,  in  high  reputation  among  the  Indians  as  a  "medicine  man." 
One  cold  day  in  the  latter  part  of  the  winter  succeeding  the  massacre, 
Waupekee  wrapped  the  baby  in  blankets,  and  mounting  his  pony,  traveled 
across  the  bleak  prairie  twenty  miles,  and  arriving  at  Du  Pin's  dwelling, 
laid  his  package  upon  the  floor.  "  What  have  you  there  ?  "  queried  the 
surprised  trader.  "  I  have  brought  you  a  young  raccoon  as  a  present," 
replied  the  chief,  unwrapping  the  blankets  and  disclosing  the  nearly 
smothered  child.  Du  Pin  cured  the  child,  and  afterward  not  only  ran- 
somed the  widow,  but  married  her. 

Mary,  who  relates  this  affair,  says  she  was  carried  a  prisoner  to  an  In- 
dian village  after  the  battle  referred  to,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  and  ransomed 
by  General  Clark,  where  she  married  a  French  Creole,  and  never  after  the 
fatal  day  met  her  mother,  but  supposed  her  to  have  been  killed. 


RUDE    AWAKENING    FROM    PASTORAL    LIFE. 


71 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE    DESTRUCTION   OF    PEORIA. 

the  wars  of  the  Federal  Government  against  the  Indians, 
and  the  war  with  England,  in  1812,  the  French  people  of 
Peoria  remained  neutral,  and,  as  is  now  known,  neither  aided 
nor  abetted  either  party.  They  were  two  hxmdred  miles 
from  the  nearest  American  settlement,  in  the  midst  of  a  wil- 
derness. They  knew  no  laws  of  any  king  or  country  save  their 
own.  They  lived  so  far  away  from  the  world,  that  revolutions 
came,  kings  were  overthrown  and  new  governments  erected, 
while  they  neither  knew  of  nor  interested  themselves  in  the  changes.  A 
peaceful  and  happy  people  they  were,  living  to  themselves,  making  and  ex- 
ecuting their  own  laws,  paying  no  taxes,  and  acknowledging  no  sovereignty 
or  ruler,  simply  because  no  one  came  to  claim  their  allegiance.  They  had 
lived  thirty-four  years  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment before  called  upon  to  cast  a  ballot.  They  had  a  Representative  in 
Congress  who  never  knew  them.  They  had  been  subjects  of  France,  then 
of  England,  and  finally  of  the  Federal  Union,  and  only  learned  the  changes 
of  sovereignty  through  accident.  They  were  a  people  "unto  themselves," 
speaking  a  language  of  their  own,  and  fearing  only  God,  their  priests,  and 
the  hostile  Indians. 

The  massacre  at  Fort  Dearborn  excited  widespread  horror  and  ani- 
mosity, not  only  against  the  Indians,  but  all  who  were  believed  to  be 
friendly  with  them.  Reports  had  got  abroad  that  their  supplies  of  am- 
munition came  through  Peoria  traders,  and  that  here  were  incited  and  set 
on  foot  raids  and  expeditions  against  the  defenceless  settlers  along  the 
borders. 

It  was  charged  that  they  were  cattle  thieves,  and  that  Captain  John 
Baptiste  Maillette,  the  chief  military  man  of  their  village,  had  an  organ- 
ized band  of  thieves,  and  made  forays  upon  the  settlements  on  Wood 
River,  in  Madison  County,  driving  off  nocks  and  herds,  which  found 
their  way  to  the  common  enemy.  These  reports  were  believed,  and  Gov- 


72  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

ernor  Edwards  called  for  volunteers  to  rendezvous  at  Shawneetown,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Craig.  Four  keel-boats  were  prepared,  with 
rifle-ball  proof  planking,  and  mounted  with  cannon.  Two  hundred  sol- 
diers were  taken  on  board,  and  on  the  5th  of  November,  1812,  the  "fleet  " 
appeared  before  Peorla. 

The  people,  wholly  unconscious  of  danger,  were  at  church,  and  the 
priest  celebrating  mass  —  for  it  was  Sunday,  —  when  suddenly  they  were 
startled  by  the  booming  of  cannon.  Fear  and  curiosity  brought  them  to 
the  beach,  when  four  boats  loaded  with  armed  men  met  their  astonished 
gaze.  Capt.  Craig  landed  and  took  position,  with  guns  loaded  and  bayonets 
fixed,  ready  for  any  emergency. 

Father  Racine  went  to  meet  and  welcome  the  strangers,  but  neither 
could  understand  the  other  until  an  interpreter  was  found  in  the  person 
of  Thomas  Forsythe.  No  explanation  was  vouchsafed,  but  meat  and  veg- 
etables were  demanded,  and  promptly  furnished.  The  soldiers  dispersed 
about  town  and  committed  various  outrages,  such  as  breaking  into  Felix 
La  Fontaine's  store  and  taking  from  it  two  casks  of  wine.  Numbtis 
got  drunk,  and  entering  houses,,  helped  themselves  to  whatever  pleast  d 
them.  It  was  after  dark  before  Captain  Craig  succeeded  in  gett  ing  th<  m 
on  board  the  boats  and  pushed  the  boats  from  shore  to  prevent  further 
outrages  upon  the  citizens. 

During  the  night  a  high  wind  arose,  and  to  escape  the  waves  the  boats 
raised  their  anchors  and  dropped  down  into  "  the  narrows,"  a  half  mile 
below,  where  they  remained  till  morning.  About  daylight  several  guns 
were  fired  in -quick  succession  in  the  adjoining  tember.  Captain  Craig, 
thinking  it  the  signal  for  an  attack  by  the  Indians,  ordered  the  boats 
pushed  farther  from  shore  arid  cannon  trained  to  sweep  the  woods. 

A  council  of  war  was  held  on  board,  and  it  was  determined  to  burn 
the  town  and  make  the  men  prisoner's  of  war,  as  a  punishment  for  incit- 
ing the  Indians  to  attack  the  boats.  The  Frenchmen  afterward  claimed 
the  firing  was  done  by  hunters,  and  as  no  attack  was  made  and  no  enemy 
appeared,  the  statement  is  doubtless  correct. 

Capt.  Craig  next  landed  his  troops,  and  taking  all  able-bodied  men 
prisoners,  set  fire  to  their  houses  and  burned  them  down,  while  the  women 
and  children  looked  on  in  terror  from  a  vacant  lot  where  they  had  congre- 
gated, in  the  rear  of  their  burning  church.  The  church,  with  its  sacred 
vestments  and  furniture,  was  destroyed.  The  wind-mill  on  the  bank  of 
the  lake,  filled  with  grain,  the  stables,  corn  bins,  and  everything  about  the 


GOMO's    HOSPITALITY    TO    THE    HOMELESS.  73 

town  of  any  value  were  reduced  to  ashes !  The  stores  of  La  Fontaine,  La 
Croix,  Des  Champs,  and  Forsyth,  full  of  valuable  goods,  shared  the  same 
fate.  An  old  man  named  Benit,  a  former  trader,  who  had  amassed  some 
money,  rushed  through  the  flames  to  rescue  it,  and  perished,  his  charred 
remains  being  found  the  following  spring.  Mrs.  La  Croix,  a  lady  of 
refinement  and  great  personal  attraction,  who  afterward  became  the  wife 
of  Governor  Reynolds,  being  alone  with  three  small  children,  appealed  in 
vain  to  the  soldiers  to  save  the  clothes  of  herself  and  little  ones. 

Thomas  Forsythe,  a  short  time  previous,  had  been  appointed  a  Govern- 
ment agent  here,  and  on  exhibiting  his  commission  to  Captain  Craig,  he 
pronounced  it  a  forgery ! 

When  the  destruction  was  complete,  the  boats  returned  down  the 
river  with  their  prisoners.  Two  miles  below  the  present  site  of  Alton, 
they  were  set  ashore  in  the  thick  timber,  without  blankets,  tents  or  pro- 
visions, and  told  they  might  return  to  their  homes !  Meantime,  the  women 
and  children,  left  without  food  or  shelter,  were  in  a  pitiful  condition. 
Some  of  them  had  been  left  without  sufficient  clothing,  and  suffered 
greatly.  It  was  growing  cold,  and  the  nights  were  freezing.  Snow  fell, 
sharp  frosts  came,  and  the  roaring  wind  lashed  the  troubled  waters 
or  moaned  in  the  leafless  oaks.  Could  any  situation  have  been  more 
desolate  ?  The  hungry  mothers  could  only  weep  and  pray,  and  draw  the 
forms  of  their  little  ones  to  their  bosoms ! 

While  thus  brooding  over  their  despair,  an  Indian  chief  named  Gomo 
made  his  appearance.  He  lived  in  a  village  of  his  tribe,  where  Chilli- 
cothe  now  stands.  On  the  approach  of  Captain  Craig's  forces,  his  people 
fled  and  secreted  themselves  in  the  grove  of  timber  at  Kickapoo  Creek, 
and  now  the  invaders  were  gone,  he  had  come  to  render  such  aid  as  it  was 
in  his  power  to  give.  Provisions  were  supplied,  temporary  huts  erected 
for  all  who  desired  to  remain,  and  homes  in  his  village  given  to  the  older 
women  and  the  children.  Afterward,  the  women  (fearing  a  return  of  the 
soldiers,  and  crazed  with  anxiety  to  know  the  fate  of  those  they  loved,) 
prevailed  upon  Gomo  to  furnish  them  with  canoes  and  rowers  to  go  down 
the  river,  hoping  their  presence  might  mitigate  the  fate  of  their  captive 
kindred.  After  several  days  of  hardship,  camping  each  night  on  the 
banks,  suffering  from  fatigue,  cold  and  storm,  they  reached  Cahokia,  where 
they  were  provided  for  by  their  countrymen,  and  afterward  joined  by 
their  husbands.* 

*Matson's  "French  and  Indians." 


74  KECOEDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

EXTERMINATION  OF  THE  BUFFALO. 

y 

^ARLY  travelers  assert  that  the  Illinois  Valley  was  the  favor- 
ite resort  of  the  American  buffalo,  or  bison,  and  though 
they  had  disappeared  years  before,  the  first  settlers  found 
the  ground  strewn  with  countless  thousands  of  bones,  re- 
mains of  the  great  herds  that  had  been  destroyed.  Their 
range  was  confined  to  no  particular  locality,  except  in 
winter,  when  they  resorted  to  groves  and  river  bottoms 
for  shelter  and  greater  supplies  of  food.  It  does  not 
appear  that  the  white  man  had  much  to  do  with  their 
final  disappearance.  The  French  were  the  only  settlers,  and  they  so  few 
in  number  that  the  buffalo  slaughtered  by  them  and  the  Indians  were 
insignificant  as  compared  with  their  annual  increase. 

About  ninety  years  ago,  according  to  Indian  tradition,  there  came  an 
Arctic  winter,  which  for  depth  of  snow  and  severity  never  had  a  parallel 
in  Indian  tradition.  Nearly  all  living  animals  perished.  The  intense  cold 
drove  them  to  the  ravines  for  shelter,  where  thousands  were  overwhelmed 
and  suffocated.  According  to  the  statements  of  the  Indians,  they  huddled 
together  for  warmth,  and  died  in  countless  droves;  and  not  the  buffalo 
alone,  but  the  deer  likewise ;  and  when  the  first  settlers  crossed  the  big 
prairie  this  side  of  the  Wabash  River,  the  ground  was  strewn  with  ant- 
lers, skulls  and  the  larger  bones  of  both  deer  and  buffalo.  The  statement 
that  the  survivors  voluntarily  left  the  country  after  the  cold  winter  is  not 
borne  out  by  the  evidence,  and  the  writer  who  drew  the  fanciful  picture 
which  follows  must  have  relied  largely  upon  his  imagination  for  facts. 

"Next  spring  a  few  buffalo,  poor  and  haggard  in  appearance,  were  seen 
going  westward,  and  as  they  approached  the  carcasses  of  their  dead  com- 
panions, which  were  lying  on  the  prairies  in  great  numbers,  they  would 
stop,  commence  pawing  and  bellowing,  and  then  start  off  again  on  a  lope 
for  the  west."* 

Father  Buche,  a  missionary  about  Peoria  in  1770,  in  a  manuscript  left 
*Matson's  "  French  and  Indians." 


I 

NARROW    ESCAPE    OF   FATHER    BUCHE.  75 

by  him,  describes  a  buffalo  hunt.  He  says  he  accompanied  thirty-eight  of 
his  countrymen  and  about  three  hundred  Indians  when  they  killed  so 
many  buffalo  that  only  their  hides  could  be  taken  away,  their  carcasses 
being  left  for  the  wolves.  Three  leagues  west  of  the  great  bend  in  the 
Illinois  Kiver  they  discovered  a  herd  of  many  thousand  buffalo,  feeding  on 
a  small  prairie  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  timber  (now  probably  known 
as  Princeton  prairie).  It  being  about  sundown,  the  hunters  encamped  for 
the  night  in  a  grove  near  by,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  them  the 
next  day.  Next  morning  before  it  was  light,  the  Indians,  divested  of 
clothing,  mounted  on  ponies,  and  armed  with  guns,  bows,  arrows,  spears, 
etc.,  anxiously  awaited  the  command  of  their  chief  to  commence  the 
sport.  They  formed  on  three  sides,  secreting  themselves  in  the  timber, 
while  the  French  occupied  a  line  across  the  prairie.  At  a  given 
signal  the  advance  began,  when  as  soon  as  the  animals  scented  the  ap- 
proaching enemy,  they  arose  and  fled  in  great  confusion.  On  approaching 
the  line  the  Indians  fired,  at  the  same  time  yelling  at  the  top  of  their 
voices.  The  frightened  creatures  turned  and  fled  in  an  opposite  direction, 
where  they  were  met  by  the  hunters  and  foiled  in  like  manner.  Thus  they 
continued  to  run  back  and  forth,  while  the  slaughter  went  on.  As  they 
approached  the  line,  the  Indians  would  pierce  them  with  spears  or  bring 
them  down  with  the  more  deadly  rifle.  The  line  continued  to  close  in, 
and  the  frightened  buffalo,  snorting  and  with  flashing  eyes,  charged  the 
guards,  broke  through  the  line,  overthrowing  horses  and  riders,  and  made 
their  escape. 

Father  Buche  continues:  "By  the  wild  surging  herd  my  pony  was 
knocked  down,  and  I  lay  prostrated  by  his  side,  while  the  frightened 
buffalo  jumped  over  me  in  their  flight,  and  it  was  only  by  the  interposi- 
tion of  the  Holy  Virgin  that  I  was  saved  from  instant  death." 


t 
7G  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


ILLINOIS  BECOMES  A   STATE. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    COMPACT    OF    FREEDOM. 

jFTEIi  the  War  of  the  Revolution  and  the  recognition  of 
American  Independence,  the  Western  Territories  were 
claimed  by  Virginia,  New  York,  and  other  States.  After 
much  discussion,  the  claimants  agreed  to  transfer  their  sev- 
eral interests  to  the  General  Government,  and  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  aii'angement,  Virginia,  in  1784,  ceded  the  ter- 
ritory that  now  constitutes  the  States  of  Indiana,  Wiscon- 
sin, Ohio  and  Michigan,  to  the  Federal  Government,  with 
the  stipulation  that  when  divided  into  States  they  were  to 
be  guaranteed  a  republican  form  of  government,  "  with  the  same  sover- 
eignty, freedom  and  independence  as  the  other  States."  The  celebrated 
"Compact  of  1787"  followed.  It  was  the  triumph  of  Thomas  Jefferson's 
foresight  and  unceasing  labors  in  the  cause  of  freedom.  He  was  ably  as- 
sisted by  Dr.  Cutler,  of  Massachusetts,  and  to  them  jointly  is  mainly  due 
the  credit  that  "  slavery  was  forever  excluded  from  this  great  territory." 
Yet  slaves  were  held  in  Southern  Illinois  for  years,  having  been  brought 
thither  by  the  early  French  settlers,  and  it  was  not  until  1850  that  the 
last  bondsmen  disappeared  from  the  census. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  1787,  Congress  established  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory, and  General  St.  Clair  was  appointed  Governor.  He  came  to  Kas- 
kaskia  in  1 790,  and  organized  the  county  of  St.  Clair,  the  first  in  the 
State. 

The  population  of  Illinois  was  then  about  2,000,  and  it  took  ten  years 
to  add  another  1,000. 

May  7,  1800,  Indiana  Territory — including  our  State — was  set  apart, 
Gen.  William  Henry  Harrison  appointed  Governor,  and  Vincennes  made 
the  capital.  The  first  Legislature  assembled  in  1805,  but  its  doings  were 
not  popular  with  the  Illinoisans,  who  termed  it  the  "  Vinsain  Legislate!'." 


THE    RANDOLPH    COUNTY    COVENANTERS.  77 

In  that  year  the  population  numbered  about  5,000,  which  in  1810  (>ad  in- 
creased to  12,282. 

In  1809  the  State  was  severed  from  its  "Hoosier"  connection,  and 
permitted  to  set  up  a  territorial  government  of  its  own,  with  Ninian  Ed- 
wards for  its  first  Governor. 

In  1812,  a  Legislature  was  chosen,  consisting  of  five  Councillors  and 
seven  Representatives,  which  met  at  Kaskaskia,  November  25.  Wai'  with 
Great  Biitain  was  raging  at  the  time,  and  much  anxiety  was  felt  as  to  the 
Indians,  who,  bought  over  with  liberal  promises,  had  generally  arrayed 
themselves  with  the  enemy.  In  1815  peace  was  restored,  and  a  great  im- 
petus given  to  immigration. 

In  January,  1818,  the  Territorial  Legislature  of  Illinois  petitioned 
Congress  for  admission  into  the  Union  as  a  State.  A  bill  was  introduced 
at  once,  but  was  not  acted  on  till  April,  when  it  became  a  law. 

As  first  intended,  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  was  to  begin 
at  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  running  westward,  but  as  this 
would  have  left  Chicago  in  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  the  Delegate  in  Con- 
gress sought  and  obtained  a  change  to  the  line  that  now  exists,  thus  secur- 
ing to  the  State  fourteen  additional  counties  in  the  fairest  portions  of  the 
West, 

Wisconsin  afterward  claimed  the  territory,  denying  that  Congress  had 
a  right  to  alter  the  petition  of  the  Illinois  Territorial  Legislature,  but  the 
question  quieted  down,  and  the  disputed  territory  is  now  ours  as  much 
as  any  other  portion  of  the  State.  A  Convention  was  called  to  frame  a 
constitution  in  the  summer  of  1818,  and  assembled  in  Kaskaskia.  During 
the  session^  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wiley  and  his  congregation,  a  sect  of  so-called 
"Covenanters,"  in  Randolph  County,  sent  a  petition  asking  the  members 
to  declare  in  the  instrument  they  were  preparing,  that  "Jesus  Christ  was 
the  head  of  all  governments,  and  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  were  the  only 
rule  of  faith  and  practice."  The  Convention  not  only  failed  to  embody 
this  doctrine  in  the  Constitution,  but  treated  the  petition  with  no  especial 
courtesy  beyond  its  mere  reception.  Therefore,  as  Gov.  Ford  states,  "The 
Covenanters  refused  to  sanction  the  State  Government,  and  have  been  con- 
strained to  regard  it  as  an  heathen  and  unbaptized  government,  which  de- 
nies Christ,  for  which  reason  they  have  constantly  refused  to  work  on  the 
roads,  serve  on  juries,  hold  any  office,  or  do  any  act  whereby  they  are  sup- 
posed to  recognize  the  Government."  They  steadily  refused  to  vote  until 
1824,  when  the  subject  of  admitting  slavery  was  submitted  to  the  popular 


78  KECOKDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

vote.     Their  suffrages  were  unanimously  cast  for  freedom  and  a  free  State. 

Shadrach  Bond  was  elected  the  first  Governor,  in  October,  1818.  Nin- 
ian  Edwards  and  Jesse  B.  Thomas  were  chosen  Senators,  and  John  Mc- 
Lean, Representative  in  Congress.  Joseph  Phillips  was  chosen  Chief  Jus- 
tice, and  Thomas  C.  Brown,  John  Reynolds  and  William  B.  Foster,  Asso- 
ciate Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Gov.  Ford,  who  afterward  wrote  a 
histoiy  of  the  State,  did  not  speak  in  flattering  ternis  of  some  of  these 
men,  and  was  particularly  severe  on  Foster,  whom  .he  styled  a  "great 
rascal."  He  was  a  polished  gentleman,  and  drew  his  salary  with  commend- 
able regularity,  but  never  sat  upon  the  bench,  and  after  one  year  resigned 
and  left  the  State. 

The  first  Legislature  assembled  at  Kaskaskia  in  1818,  from  whence  the 
seat  of  government  was  changed  the  succeeding  year  to  Vandalia. 

In  1823,  Peoria  County  was  formed,  with  Peoria  as  the  county-seat. 
In  182G  the  Commissioners  of  that  county  fixed  the  boundaries  of  Fox 
River  Precinct,  which  extended  from  Senachwine  Creek  to  the  River  La- 
Page  (Du  Page),  or  from  Chillicothe  northward,  including  the  counties  of 
Putnam,  Marshall,  Bureau  and  La  Salle,  and  the  territory  west  to  the 
Mississippi  River. 

Gideon  Hawley  and  James  Beersford  were  Justices  of  the  Peace,  with 
jurisdiction  equal  with  the  territory.  The  voting  place  was  at  David 
Walker's  house,  at  the  mouth  of  Fox  River  (Ottawa). 

Marriages  were  solemnized  only  at  Peoria,  and  the  first  on  record 
within  the  jurisdiction  was  as  follows : 

STATE  OF  ILLINOIS,  PEORIA  Co.,  July  29, 1829. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Willard  Scott  and  Caroline  Hawley  were  this  day  united  in  mar- 
riage by  me.  ISAAC  SCABKETT,  Missienary. 

The  ceremony,  if  short,  was  binding,  and  we  may  believe  the  parties 
enjoyed  quite  as  much  happiness  as  follows  the  elaborate  nuptials  of  to- 
day, supplemented  with  cards,  cake,  bridesmaids,  an  expensive  trousseau, 
a  trip  to  Europe,  and  winding  up,  as  is  too  often  the  case,  with  a  sensa- 
tional suit  for  divorce. 


ORGANIZATION  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY.  79 


PUTNAM  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

GURDEN    S.    HUBBARD. 

earliest  know  white  settlers  who  came  to  what  is  now 
Putnam  County  were  certain  fur  traders,  who  located  at  the 
most  eligible  points  for  their  business  along  the  Illinois 
River.  The  first  of  these  represented  the  American  Fur 
Company.  Antoine  Des  Champs,  a  Canadian  Frenchman, 
was  the  general  agent.  He  established  himself  at  Pe~ 
oria  in  1816,  and  in  1817  was  succeeded  by  Gurden  S. 
Hubbard,  now  (1880)  of  Chicago,  who  will  introduce  him- 
self in  the  letter  below,  addressed  to  the  Hon.  A.  T.  Purviance,  County 
Clerk  of  Putnam  County: 

CHICAGO,  April  8th,  1867. 
A.  T.  PURVIANCE  : 

Dear  Sir : — Yours  of  the  4th  received.  The  trading  house  occupied  by  Thomas  Hart- 
zell  was  erected  in  1817,  and  occupied  by  Beaubien,  in  the  employment  of  the  American  Fur 
Company.  The  following  year  I  was  with  him  as  his  clerk,  for  he  could  not  read  or  write  ; 
besides,  was  old,  and  passed  most  of  his  time  sick  in  bed.  I  was  then  sixteen  years  old,  and 
the  had  entered  the  employment  of  American  Fur  Company  in  May  of  that  year.  Hartzell  was 
at  that  time  trading  on  the  river  below,  in  opposition  to  the  American  Company.  Some  years 
after,  I  think  about  1824  or  5,  he  succeeded  Beaubien  in  the  employment  of  the  American 
Fur  Company.  There  was  a  house  just  below,  across  the  ravine,  built  by  Antoine  Bourbon- 
ais,  also  an  opposition  trader,  who,  like  Hartzell,  went  into  the  employ  of  the  American  Fur 
Company  under  a  yearly  salary.  My  trading  post,  after  leaving  Beaubien,  was  at  the 
mouth  of  Crooked  Creek  till  1826,  when  I  located  on  the  Iroquois  river,  still  in  the  employ  of 
the  American  Fur  Company,  and  so  continued  till  1830,  when  I  bought  them  out.  *  *  * 

The  last  time  that  I  visited  the  old  spot  where  the  trading  house  stood,  the  chimney  was 
all  that  remained.  This  was  made  with  clay  and  sticks.  Four  stakes  were  driven  firmly  in 
the  ground,  then  small  saplings  witlied  across  about  two  feet  apart.  Clay  mortar  tempered 
with  ashes  laid  on  long  hay  cut  from  the  low  lands,  kneaded  and  made  into  strips  about 
three  feet  long  and  three  thick,  laying  the  center  over  the  first  round  of  saplings,  twisting 
them  in  below,  until  the  top  was  reached,  when  the  chimney  inside  and  out  was  daubed 
with  the  clay  and  mortar  smoothed  off  with  the  hand.  The  hearth  of  dry  clay,  pounded.  It 
was  our  custom  to  keep  rousing  fires,  and  this  soon  baked  and  hardened  the  chimney,  which 
gave  it  durability.  The  roof  was  made  of  puncheons,  I  think ;  that  is,  split  boards,  the  cracks 


80  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

well  daubed  with  clay,  and  then  long  grass  put  on  top,  held  down  by  logs  of  small  size  to 
keep  the  grass  in  its  place.  The  sides  of  the  house  consisted  of  logs,  laid  one  on  top  of  the 
other,  about  seven  feet  high.  The  ends  of  these  logs  were  kept  in  place  by  posts  in  the 
ground.  The  ends  were  sapling  logs  set  in  the  ground,  upright  to  the  roof,  pinned  to  a  beam 
laid  across  from  the  top  of  the  logs,  comprising  the  upper  sides  of  the  building.  A  rough 
door  at  one  end,  and  a  window  at  the  other,  composed  of  one  sheet  of  foolscap  paper,  well 
greased.  It  was  a  warm,  comfortable  building,  where  many  an  Indian  was  hospitably  enter- 
tained, and  all  were  jolly  and  happy.  There  I  first  knew  Shaubena.  His  winter  lodge  was 
on  Bureau  River,  at  the  bluffs.  I  became  very  much  attached  to  him,  and  he  to  me.  I  never 
knew  a  more  honest  man,  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  our  friendship  did  not  seem 
diminished.  Yours,  etc., 

G.    S.    IIUBBAKD. 

s 

We  copy  the  above  because  it  is  reliable  and  valuable  as  historical 
fact,  and  for  the  reason  that  it  describes  the  first  house  ever  built  by  a 
white  man  in  this  section  of  country. 

At  these  trading  houses  pelts  and  furs  were  obtained  from  the  Indians 
in  exchange  for  powder,  balls,  tobacco,  knives,  and  beads  and  other  trink- 
ets, and  shipped  in  boats  called  batteaux  to  the  headquarters  of  the  Fur 
Company,  or  to  the  larger  independent  traders  at  New  Orleans  or  in 
Canada. 

In  1821,  two  cabins  were  built  near  that  of  the  Fur  Company,  one  of 
which  was  occupied  by  Bourbonais,  or  "  Bulbona,"  as  he  was  called,  and 
the  other  by  Rix  Robinson,  a  Connecticut  Yankee.  Both  had  married 
squaws,  and  were  raising  half-breed  children.  The  Frenchman  went  to 
what  became  known  as  Bulbona's  Grove,  and  established  a  trading  post, 
which  he  occupied  for  many  years. 

At  this  time  there  were  few  white  people  north  of  Springfield,  and 
the  entire  northern  part  of  the  State  was  a  wilderness,  inhabited  by  In- 
dians and  wolves.  Hubbard  affirmed  that  in  passing  from  his  trading  post 
at  Hennepin  he  found  no  white  settlers  until  within  eighteen  miles  of 
St.  Louis. 

In  1825,  says  Peck's  Gazetteer:  "In  Northern  Illinois  there  was  not 
an  organized  county,  a  post-road  or  a  considerable  settlement.  Chicago 
was  little  more  than  a  village  in  Pike  County,  situated  on  Lake  Michigan, 
at  the  mouth  of  Chicago  Creek,  containing  twelve  or  fifteen  houses  and 
about  sixty  or  seventy  inhabitants.  Peoria  was  a  small  settlement  in 
Pike  County,  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Illinois  River  about  two 
hundred  miles  above  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi.  A  few  lead  miners 
had  clustered  about  the  lead  mines  at  Galena,  but  a  road  through  the  wil- 
derness was  not  made  until  late  this  year,  when  '  Kellogg's  Trail '  pointed 


PIKE,    PEORIA    AND    PUTNAM    COUNTIES.  81 

the  devious  way  from  Peoria  to  Galena.  Not  a  white  man's  habitation 
nor  a  ferry  was  to  be  seen  along  its  entire  route." 

The  Military  Bounty  Land  Tract  was  the  first  to  be  settled  by  Ameri- 
can emigrants.  It  was  surveyed  by  the  Government,  in  1815  and  1816, 
and  the  greater  part  subsequently  appropriated  in  bounties  to  soldiers  of 
the  war  of  1812.  It  extended  from  the  junction  of  the  Illinois  and  Mis- 
sissippi Rivers,  running  north  169  miles  to  a  line  drawn  from  the  great 
bend  of  the  river  above  Peru  to  the  Mississippi,  containing  5,360,000 
acres. 

Pike  County  was  laid  off  in  1821,  and  was  immense  in  its  boundaries. 
It  included  all  that  part  of  the  State  north  and  west  of  the  Illinois  River, 
from  its  junction  with  the  Kankakee  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  east  of 
the  Kankakee  to  the  Indiana  line,  and  running  north  to  Wisconsin  !  In 
1823  it  had  seven  or  eight  hundred  inhabitants. 

January  13,  1825,  among  other  counties,  Putnam  was  created.  It  em- 
braced a  territory  extending  from  the  present  northern  limit  of  Peoria 
County,  along  the  Illinois  and  Kankakee  Rivers  to  the  Indiana  line,  and 
thence  north  to  Wisconsin,  and  west  to  a  point  thirty-five  miles  from 
the  Mississippi;  thence  due  south  105  miles,  and  east  to  beginning,  com- 
prising 11,000  square  miles!  In  1830,  Putnam  and  Peoria  Counties 
united  contained  1,310  whites,  Putnam  alone  about  700.  But  this  county 
was  never  organized,  however.  Its  judicial  business  appears  to  have  been 
transacted  at  Peoria,  when  there  was  any. 

In  1829,  '30  and  '31,  settlers  had  begun  to  come  in  and  locate  along 
the  margins  of  the  timber  and  at  the  edges  of  the  larger  groves.  But  still 
they  were  few  and  far  between.  There  being  no  ferries,  goods  were  taken 
across  the  river  in  canoes,  while  horses  were  made  to  swim. 

In  1831  Thomas  Hartzell  established  a  ferry  at  Hennepin,  the  first  on 
the  river  above  Peoria. 

In  1831  Putnam  County  was  again  created,  with  new  boundaries,  and 
in  the  spring  of  that  year  organized  in  accordance  with  the  act  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  January  previous. 

Chicago  had  not  then  a  municipal  existence,  but  was  a  lively  village 
of  250  inhabitants,  including  the  garrison  of  Fort  Dearborn.  The  Indian 
title  to  most  of  the  land  in  Northern  Illinois  had  not  been  extinguished, 
and  no  land  outside  of  the  military  tract  was  for  sale.  But  a  single 
steamer  had  yet  troubled  the  waters  of  the  Illinois  River  above  Peoria. 
There  were  a  few  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  Lacon  and  Hennepin,  and  on 


^  KECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Round  and  Half  Moon  Prairies,  in  what  is  Marshall  County  now,  as  well 
as  on  the  Ox  Bow  Prairie,  and  at  Union  Grove,  in  Putnam  County. 

The  new  county,  as  created  in  1831,  comprised  thirty-eight  full  and 
thirteen  fractional  townships,  and  included  nearly  the  whole  of  what  is 
now  Bureau,  Putnam,  Marshall  and  Stark  Counties — a  greater  territory 
than  the  entire  State  of  Rhode  Island.  Commissioners  to  locate  a  county 
seat  were  appointed,  consisting  of  John  Hamlin,  of  Peoria;  Isaac  Perkins, 
of  Tazewell,  and  Joel  Wright  of  Canton.  The  act  of  incorporation  pro- 
vided it  should  be  located  on  the  Illinois  River,  "as  near  as  practicable  in 
the  center  of  the  county,  with  a  just  regard  to  its  present  and  future  sus- 
ceptibility of  population,  and  to  be  named  Hennepin." 

The  Commissioners  accordingly  met  early  in  May,  and  after  examina- 
tion of  the  various  sites  along  the  river,  were  about  deciding  to  locate  the 
county  seat  where  Henry,  in  Marshall  County,  now  stands,  when  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Spoon  River  region  interposed  a  plea  that  its  location 
there  would  delay  them  in  the  formation  of  a  new  county,  which  they 
desired  to  have  set  off  as  soon  as  population  would  justify.  The  Commis- 
sion gave  due  attention  to  this  plea,  and  resolved  upon  another  site.  As 
an  understanding  had  already  gone  abroad  that  the  location  would  be 
made  at  Hemy,  a  chalked  board  was  set  up  at  that  point,  giving  notice 
that  another  locality  had  been  chosen.  On  the  6th  of  June,  a  report 
was  made  to  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  then  sitting  near  Henne- 
pin, that  "they  have  selected,  designated,  and  permanently  located  the 
said  seat  of  justice  "  where  it  now  is.  Provision  was  made  in  the  organic 
act  for  its  location  upon  Congress  lands,  if  deemed  advisable.* 

The  boundaries  of  the  new  county,  as  fixed  by  the  act  of  January  15, 
1831,  were  defined  as  "commencing  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Town  12 
north,  Range  6  east,  running  east  to  the  Illinois  River;  thence  down  the 
middle  of  said  river  to  the  south  line  of  Town  29  north;  thence  east  with 
said  line  to  the  third  principal  meridian ;  thence  north  with  said  meridian 
line  forty-two  miles ;  thence  west  to  a  point  six  miles  due  north  of  the 
north-west  corner  of  Town  17  north,  Range  (>  east;  thence  south  in  a 
right  line  to  the  place  oi?  beginning." 

The  first  election  under  the  law  was  to  choose  county  officers,  and  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Wm.  Hawes,  on  the  first  Monday  of  March,  1831. 
The  judges  of  election  were  Thomas  Hartzell  and  Thomas  Gallaher, 
while  James  W.  Willis  performed  the  duties  of  clerk. 

*Ford's  "  History  of  Marshall  and  Putnam  Counties." 


FIRST    PUTNAM    COUNTY    CIRCUIT    COURT. 

The  day  was  cold  and  dreaiy;  roads  were  unknown  save  here  and 
there  a  bridle-path ;  there  were  no  bridges,  and  not  a  great  deal  of  en- 
thusiasm was  manifested. 

But  twenty-four  votes  were  cast,  and  as  there  was  but  one  set  of  can- 
didates, they  were  declared  elected.  They  were:  Thomas  Gallaher, 
George  Ish  and  John  M.  Gay  for  County  Commissioners,  Ira  Ladd  for 
Sheriff,  and  Aaron  Cole  for  Coroner. 

Hooper  Warren  was  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  Recorder  of  Deeds, 
County  Clerk,  and  also,  when  he  had  nothing  else  to  do,  was  Justice  of 
the  Peace. 

Putnam  was  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  comprising  fifteen 
counties,  of  which  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young  was  Judge  and  Hon.  Thomas 
Ford  (afterward  Governor)  District  Attorney. 

The  new  county  seat  was  named  in  honor  of  Father  Hennepin,  the 
well-known  explorer,  and  the  first  white  man  who  is  supposed  to  have 
set  foot  on  the  shores  of  the  Illinois  at  this  locality.  The  name  was  fixed 
by  the  law  creating  the  county,  so  that  all  the  different  places  seeking  the 
location  of  the  seat  of  justice,  and  failing,  thus  escaped  the  honor  of  bear- 
ing the  name  of  Hennepin. 


CIRCUIT  COURT. 

The  first  Circuit  Court  in  Putnam  County  was  held  on  the  first  Mon- 
day of  May,  1831.  In  accordance  with  law,  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  had  selected  the  house  of  Thomas  Gallaher,  Esq.,  on  the  bank  of 
the  Illinois  River,  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  above  Thomas  Hartzell's 
trading  house,  as  a  suitable  place  for  holding  court. 

Accordingly,  on  the  day  named  the  Court  met,  and  there  being  no 
Clerk  as  yet  provided,  the  Judge  appointed  Hooper  Wan-en  to  the  posi- 
tion, and  fixed  his  official  bond  at  $2,000.  John  Dixon  and  Henry 
Thomas  became  his  sureties.  The  Sheriff  made  due  proclamation,  and  the 
Circuit  Court  of  Putnam  was  declared  in  session. 

The  Grand  Jurors  for  the  term  were :  Daniel  Dimmick,  Elijah  Epper- 
son, Henry  Thomas,  Leonard  Roth,  Jesse  Williams,  Israel  Archer,  James 
Warnock,  John  L.  Ramsey,  William  Hawes,  John  Strawn,  Samuel 
Laughlin  (foreman),  David  Boyle,  Stephen  Willis,  Jeremiah  Strawn, 
Abraham  Stratten,  and  Nelson  Shepherd, 


84  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Summoned,  but  did  not  appear :  Thomas  Wafer,  George  B.  Willis, 
John  Knox,  -  -  Humphrey,  Jesse  Roberts,  and  Lemuel  Gaylord,  Sr. 

The  Petit  Jurors  were :  Wm.  Boyd,  Hugh  Warnock,  Wm.  H.  Ham, 
Lewis  Knox,  Samuel  Patterson,  Joseph  Ash,  Christopher  Wagner,  Joseph 
Wallace,  John  Whittaker,  Wm.  Cowan,  Wm.  Wright,  Ashael  Hannum, 
Anthony  Turk,  John  Burrow,  John  Myers,  Ezekiel  Thomas,  Mason  Wil- 
son, Smiley  Shepherd,  Justin  Ament,  and  William  Morris. 

The  Grand  Jury  held  its  sessions  on  a  log  under  the  shade  of  the 
trees.  The  only  work  done  was  the  finding  of  an  indictment  against  a 
man  named  Resin  Hall  and  a  woman  named  Martha  Wright.  He  had  a 
cabin  in  the  woods,  where  he  openly  lived  with  two  wives,  to  the  great 
disgust  of  his  bachelor  neighbors,  who  thought  where  women  were  so  few 
there  should  be  a  more  equal  distribution.  Before  the  setting  of  the  next 
court,  Mr.  Hall  and  his  two  wives  folded  their  tents  and  disappeared. 

There  was  no  further  business  before  this  court,  which  lasted  but  one 
day  and  adjourned.  At  the  next  term,  September,  1831,  James  M.  Strode, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney,  pro  tern,  in  the  absence  of  State's 
Attorney  Thomas  Ford,  and  Clark  Hollenback  indicted  for  malfeasance 
in  office  as  Magistrate. 

Court  was  afterward  held  at  the  house  of  Geo.  B.  Willis,  and  where- 
ever  it  could  find  room  for  a  year  or  two,  until  more  permanent  quarters 
could  be  had. 

At  the  May  term,  1832,  John  Combs,  summoned  as  a  juror,  failed  to 
appear.  The  Court  sent  an  officer,  armed  with  an  attachment,  after  the 
delinquent,  brought  him  in  a  prisoner,  and  fined  him  $5.00  and  costs. 

David  Jones,  of  rather  tempestuous  fame,  was  recognized  to  keep  the 
peace,  and  gave  bonds  in  the  sum  of  $50.00,  with  Roswell  Blanchard  and 
Elijah  Epperson  as  his  sureties  that  he  would  be  peaceful  to  all  the 
world,  and  especially  as  to  George  Ish. 

In  May,  1832,  Clark  Hollenback's  case  came  up,  but  for  some  unknown 
reason  the  State's  Attorney  quashed  it.  He  had  been  indicted  for  some 
crookedness  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  the  affair  never  came  to  trial. 


COURT  HOUSES  AND  JAILS. 

A  new  Court  House  and  jail  had  been  contemplated,  and  October  8th, 
1831,  the  County  Commissioners  "ordered  that  a  new  Court  House  be 
built  on  plans  furnished  by  John  M.  Gay,  Esq.,  by  May,  1832." 


CONSTRUCTION    OF    COURT    HOUSES    AND    JAILS.  85 

December  9th,  1831,  a  jail  was  ordered  to  be  built.  It  was  to  be  seven 
feet  in  the  clear,  the  upper  and  under  floors  to  be  made  of  hewn  timber, 
one  foot  sqiiare,  the  roof  "raved  clapboard,"  three  feet  long.  "The 
door  to  be  made  of  inch  boards  doubled,  nailed  together  with  hammered 
nails  six  inches  apart,  to  be  Imng  with  iron  hinges,  the  hooks  one  inch 
square,  six  inches  long,  boarded,  the  hasp  of  the  lock  to  go  two-thirds  of 
the  way  across  the  door,  the  window  to  be  a  foot  square,  with  two  bars 
of  iron  each  way.  To  be  twelve  feet  square,  and  cost  eighty  dollars." 

This  costly  structure  was  erected  according  to  specifications,  and  ac- 
cepted ;  and  it  is  on  record  that  one  of  its  first  prisoners,  with  a  little  out- 
side help,  pried  out  a  log  and  escaped. 

August  14th,  1832,  "Notice  was  ordered  given  in  The  Sangamon 
Journal  (Springfield),  that  three  several  jobs  of  building  a  court  house 
will  be  sold  the  third  Monday  of  September,  1832. 

"1st.  The  foundation  to  be  of  stone,  fifty  fee't  on  the  ground  each 
way,  out  to  out;  wall  three  feet  high,  two  feet  thick,  one  foot  six  inches 
under  ground. 

"  2d.  Brick  wall  to  be  equal  in  extent  to  foiindation,  twenty-two  feet 
high,  first  story  twelve  feet,  two  and  a  half  brick  thick;  second  story  ten 
feet  high,  two  brick  thick. 

"3d.  Carpenter  work  all  to  be  done  in  good  style,  and  the  whole  to 
be  finished  by  September,  1833." 

Until  1833,  the  Circuit  Court  had  no  regular  place  for  holding  its  ses- 
sions, and  among  bills  audited  were  several  for  payment  of  rent  of  room 
used,  the  usual  price  charged  being  two  dollars  for  the  term,  which  if  in 
winter  included  the  firewood  used. 

In  March,  1833,  Ira  Ladd  was  employed  to  build  a  new  jail,  of  the 
following  dimensions : 

"  Lower  floor  to  be  double,  of  hewn  timber — white  or  burr  oak,  one  foot 
square  —  sixteen  feet  square ;  the  lower  tier  of  timber  to  be  laid  close  side 
by  side ;  second  tier  to  be  of  same  material  and  size  laid  crosswise,  so  as  to 
make  both  solid — making  it  two  feet  thick,  sixteen  inches  square,  and 
sunk  in  the  ground  to  a  level  with  the  top  of  the  floor,  four  to  eight 
inches  above  the  ground.  The  outer  wall  to  be  sixteen  feet  from  out  to 
out,  and  each  way  sixteen  feet  high,  of  square  timber  hewn  or  four-sided ; 
walls  one  foot  thick,  logs  to  be  close,  the  corners  plumb,  notched  dove- 
tail, corners  cut  down  true  and  smooth,  iron  spikes  in  each  log  at  the  cor- 
ners, of  three-quarter  inch  iron,  to  be  driven  in  in  presence  of  wit- 


86  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

nesses;  the  lower  seven  feet  to  be  of  white  or  burr  oak.  Inner  wall 
twelve  feet  square^  one  foot  thick,  seven  feet  high,  corners  notched; 
one  foot  of  space  between  inner  and  outer  wall,  to  be  filled  with  good 
hard  timber,  except  walnut  or  ash.  Space  to  be  filled  with  one  foot 
square  timber  seven  feet  long,  set  on  end.  Second  floor  of  timber  one  foot 
square,  sixteen  feet  long;  upper  story  nine  feet  nine  inches  high.  One 
window,  one  foot  square,  in  lower  story  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  logs, 
grated  double,  with  one  and  one-quarter  inch  iron  rods,  and  a  door  and 
window  in  upper  stoiy,  securely  made.  A  hatchway  connected  the  upper 
and  lower  stories.  The  cost  of  this  model  log  fortress  was  fixed  at  $334 ! 

The  next  important  record  is  found  January  7,  1836,  when  it  was 
"ordered  that  $14,000  be  appropriated  for  a  court  house,"  and  Wm.  M. 
Stewart  was  appointed  to  make  out  the  plans.  The  contract  was  to  be 
let  March  3,  1836,  and  an  advertisement  was  ordered  inserted  in  the 
Chicago  Democrat  and  Sangamon  Journal  to  that  effect. 

Gorham  <fe  Durley  obtained  the  contract  for  Wm.  C.  Flagg,  a  promi- 
nent contractor  and  builder  of  the  Bloomington,  Ottawa,  and  other  court 
houses.  The  building  cost  $14,000. 

The  temporary  court  house  ordered  constmcted  September  2,  1833, 
was  not  completed  and  occupied  until  December,  1835,  and  in  the  June 
following  it  was  formally  accepted  in  behalf  of  the  county,  by  James  G. 
Patterson,  Commissioner.  The  new  building  being  now  well  under  way, 
the  temporary  6ne  was  offered  for  sale  almost  immediately  upon  its 
completion. 

THE  RECORDS  OF  DEEDS. 

In  early  times  deeds  were  not  as  promptly  recorded  as  now.  The  fact 
that  a  man  had  given  a  warranty  deed  to  a  tract  of  land  was  accepted  as 
conclusive  evidence  of  his  right  to  do  so.  The  title  was  still  in  the  United 
States  Government  for  the  great  body  of  land  in  the  country,  and  the  con- 
veyances from  one  individual  to  another  were  few.  When  a  settler  had  ac- 
quired his  "  patent  "  he  felt  safe  enough,  and  was  content  to  exhibit  this 
unquestionable  proof  of  his  ownership,  the  veiy  highest  title  known. 
The  precious  document  was  safer  with  the  proprietor  of  the  land  it  de- 
scribed than  elsewhere,  and  these  "patents"  were  seldom  placed  upon 
record, — not  one  in  fifty  ever  finding  its  way  to  the  Recorder's  office,  at 
least  for  years  after.  There  was  little  danger  of  the  Government  issuing 


TRANSFERS    OF    REAL    ESTATE COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS.  87 

two  patents  for  the  same  land,  and  the  man  in  possession  had  the  "  nine 
points"  of  the  law. 

Until  possible  cities  began  to  be  thought  of,  there  was  but  little  chang- 
ing of  titles  among  the  people.  The  pioneer  having  made  his  claim 
through  much  hardship  and  toil,  regarded  it  as  his  future  homestead,  and 
was  loth  to  part  with  it.  » 

The  first  conveyance  on  record  in  Putnam  County  is  a  deed  from 
Robert  Bird  and  wife  to  John  Strawn,  for  a  piece  of  the  north  end  of  the 
north-east  fractional  quarter  of  Section  35,  Town  30,  Range  3  west,  in 
Columbia  (Lacon),  August  15,  1831,  for  $38.00,  acknowledged  before 
Colby  F.  Stevenson,  Notary  Public.  This  was  followed  by  other  convey- 
ances of  town  lots  here  and  there,  and  now  and  then  a  certificate  of  entiy, 
for  its  better  preservation,  for  its  loss  was  a  serious  obstacle  to  getting  the 
coveted  "patent."  About  1834,  Eastern  capitalists  were  attracted  to 
the  West  as  affording  new  and  profitable  fields  for  speculation,  and 
occasionally  a  deed  turned  up  for  a  township  or  so  of  land,  bought 
"  unsight  unseen."  July  30,  1834,  we  find  a  deed  for  forty-six  quarter 
sections  of  land,  from  Southwick  Shaw  to  Dr.  Benjamin  Shurtliff ,  of  Bos- 
ton, for  $4,500, —  7,360  acres.  Also,  another  from  Humphrey  Rowland 
to  Arthur  Mott,  for  sixty-four  quarter  sections,  or  10,240  acres,  for  $8,320. 
Another  from  John  Tillson,  Jr.,  to  Walter  Bicker,  of  18,040  acres,  for 
$8,000.  One  dated  October  7,  1834,  from  John  Tillson,  Jr.,  to  Walter 
Mead,  for  30,360  acres,  and  another  to  Mead  for  57,910  acres,  June  30, 
1835.  The  largest  deed,  however,  is  dated  December  7,  1835,  from 
Stephen  B.  Munn  and  wife  to  Charles  F.  Moulton,  for  $220,000,  and 
conveys  several  counties  of  land.  The  descriptions  in  this  deed  occupy 
twenty-three  pages  of  the  record. 


COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS'  COURT. 

The  old  financial  court  of  the  county,  the  simple  and  inexpensive  sys- 
tem of  county  government,  which  for  the  sole  reason  of  its  economy,  has 
many  advocates  as  against  the  cumbrous,  half  legislative  body  called  the 
"Board  of  Supervisors,"  first  met  "in  special  session"  at  Hennepin,  April 
2d,  1831.  Present— "The  Hon.  Thomas  Gallaher,"  Judge  of  the  Pro- 
bate Court,  and  George  Ish  and  John  M.  Gay,  "Associate  Jiistices  of  the 
Peace,"  for  such  were  the  high  soimding  titles  of  those  gentlemen  of  that 
day.  Hooper  Warren  was  appointed  Clerk. 


88  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Ira  Ladd  had  been  elected  Sheriff  of  the  new  county,  but  his  commis- 
sion not  having  arrived  to  give  him  such  power  as  the  court  could  confer, 
"he  was  appointed  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  said 
county  till  said  commission  should  come"!  He  was  also  requested  to 
designate  the  place  of  holding  this  honorable  court,  which  he  did  by 
selecting  a  place  in  the  woods  on  the  river  bank!  He  was  likewise  re- 
quired to  furnish  a  table,  benches,  and  stationery  for  the  court! 

On  the  (Jth  of  June  the  Commissioners'  met,  and  heard  the  report 
of  Joel  Wright,  John  Hamlin,  and  Isaac  Perkins,  Commissioners  to  lo- 
cate the  seat  of  justice  of  Putnam  County,  which  was  ordered  filed.  It 
fixed  the  honor  upon  the  south-west  fractional  quarter  of  Section  9,  Town 
32,  Range  2  west. 

The  Court  having  examined  said  report,  find  that  the  Commissioners 
have  made  a  mistake  in  the  quarter  section,  and  directed  the  County  Sur- 
veyor to  examine  the  levies  of  said  quarter  section  and  report. 

Thornton  Wilson,  Geo.  Hildebrand  and  John  Whittaker  were  ap- 
pointed the  first  School  Trustees  in  the  coxinty,  for  the  school  section  in 
their  neighborhood — Section  1(>,  Town  31,  Range  1  west. 

Also,  on  the  petition  of  Wm.  Smith  and  nineteen  others,  John  B. 
Dodge,  Charles  Boyd  and  Sylvanus  Moore  were  appointed  Commissioners 
to  locate  a  road  from  Hennepin  to  Smith's  Ford,  on  Spoon  River,  and 
required  to  meet  and  begin  their  labors  July  4th,  1831. 

June  17th,  1831,  the  Court,  on  the  petition  of  Christopher  Hannum 
and  seventeen  others,  appointed  Ashael  Hannum,  John  Strawn  and  Ira 
Ladd  to  locate  a  road  from  Hennepin  to  the  county  line  between  Taze- 
well  and  Putnam  Counties. 

The  first  tax  levied  in  the  county  was  fixed  by  the  Commissioners' 
Court  at  one-half  of  one  per  cent  on  personal  property  only,  for  county 
purposes. 

James  W.  Willis  was  appinted  the  first  County  Treasurer,  and  his 
bond  required  to  be  one  thousand  dollars.  Thomas  Wafer,  Samuel  D. 
Laughlin  and  Stephen  D.  Willis  became  sureties,  and  the  bond  accepted. 

The  county  was  at  this  term  divided  into  four  election  precincts,  viz: 

Sandy — Including  all  the  county  south  uf  the  south  branch  of  Clear 
Creek  to  the  Illinois  River. 

Hennepin — All  the  county  south-east  of  the  Illinois  River,  and  north 
of  the  above  mentioned  line. 

Spoon  River — To  include  all  of  the  county  south  of  the  direct  line 


THE   FIRST   ELECTION   IN   PUTNAM   COUNT?.  89 

from  the  bead  of  Crow  Prairie  to  Six  Mile  Grove,  thence  north-west  to  the 
county  line. 

Bureau — All  of  the  county  north-east  of  the  above  and  northwest  of 
the  Illinois  River. 


THE  FIRST  ELECTION. 

The  first  election  after  the  organization  of  the  county  was  held 
August  1st,  1834,  and  the  officers  to  be  elected  were,  a  Member  of  Con- 
gress, a  Justice  of  the  Peace  or  Magistrate,  as  they  were  known,  and  a 
Constable  for  each  precinct.  The  vote  was  small,  and  was  taken  by  each 
elector  calling  the  name  of  the  party  for  whom  he  desired  to  cast  his  bal- 
lot, which  the  clerk  reported,  and,  along  with  his  name,  inscribed  in  the 
poll  book.  This  is  what  is  termed  voting  "viva  voce."  We  give  for  the 
benefit  of  their  descendants  a  list  of  persons  who  voted  at  that  election : 

SANDY   PRECINCT. 

Judges — Win.  Cowan,  Ashael  Hannum  and  John  Strawn.  Election 
held  at  the  houses  of  Jesse  Roberts,  John  H.  Shaw  and  Abner  Boyle. 
The  voters  were:  Ashael  Hannum,  Wm.  Cowan,  John  Strawn,  George 
H.  Shaw,  Abner  Boyle,  Lemuel  Gaylord,  William  Hart,  Lemuel  Horram, 
Robert  Bird,  Wm.  Hendrick,  John  Knox,  James  Finley,  George  Hilde- 
brand,  Hiram  Allen,  Daniel  Gunn,  Zion  Shugart,  Jesse  Roberts,  Isaac 
Hildebrand,  John  S.  Hunt,  William  Eads,  Wm.  H.  Hart,  John  Hart, 
Ephraim  Smith,  Peter  Hart,  Obed  Graves,  Hartwell  Hawley,  William 
Graves,  Wm.  Lathrop,  Jesse  Berge,  Ezekiel  Stacey,  Litel  Kneal,  William 
Hawes,  Wm.  Knox,  Marcus  D.  Stacey,  J.  C.  Wright,  Thos.  Gunn,  John 
Bird,  Samuel  Glenn,  Elias  Thompson,  Robert  Barnes,  James  Adams  and 
John  G.  Griffith  — 42. 

HENNEPIN    PRECINCT. 

The  Judges  of  Election  were:  Thornton  Wilson,  Aaron  Payne  and 
George  B.  Willis;  Smiley  Shepherd  and  John  Short,  Clerks.  Election  at 
the  ferry  house,  opposite  the  moutu  of  Bureau  Creek. 

The  voters  were :  James  W.  Willis,  Ira  Ladd,  Hooper  Warren,  Chris- 
topher Wagner,  David  Boyle,  James  C.  Stephenson,  Samuel  McNamara, 
Alexander  Wilson,  John  McDonald,  Wm.  H.  Hamm,  John  Griffin,  James 
G.  Dunlavy,  Colby  T.  Stephenson,  James  A.  Warnock,  John  E.  Warnock, 


90  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Jeremiah  Strawn,  Aaron  Whittaker,  Aaron  Thomasson,  Aaron  Payne,  Jos. 
Warnock,  Steplien  D.  Willis,  Madison  Studyvin,  Samuel  D.  Laughlin, 
Hugh  Warnock,  Anthony  Turck,  Jonathan  Wilson,  Joseph  Wallace, 
James  Garven,  George  Ish,  Joseph  D.  Warnock,  Robert  W.  Moore,  James 
G.  Ross,  James  Hayes,  John  L.  Ramsey,  Williamson  Durley,  Thos.  D. 
Hayless,  Thornton  Wilson,  John  Short,  George  B.  Wilson,  Smiley  Shep- 
herd, James  S.  Simpson — 41. 

SPOON    RIVER   DISTRICT. 

Judges — Win.  Smith,  Greenleaf  Smith  and  Wm.  B.  Essex ;  John  C. 
Owing  and  Benj.  Smith,  Clerks.  Election  at  the  house  of  Benj.  Smith. 

The  voters  were:  W.  D.  Garrett,  Sewell  Smith,  John  B.  Dodge,  Syl- 
vanus  Moore,  Benj.  Essex,  Thomas  Essex,  Thomas  Essex,  Jr.,  David 
Cooper,  Harris  W.  Miner,  Isaac  B.  Essex,  --  Greenleaf,  B.  Smith,  Wm. 
Smith,  Benj.  Smith,  John  C.  Owings — 14. 

BUREAU    PRECINCT. 

Judges- — Henry  Thomas,  Elijah  Epperson,  and  Leonard  Roth,  at  the 
house  of  E.  Epperson. 

The  voters  were  :     Henry  Thomas,  Elijah*  Epperson,  Leonard  Roth, 
John  M.  Gay,  Mason  Dimmick,  Samuel  Gleason,  Curtis  Williams,  Justice 
Ament,  John  Ament,  John  W.  Hall,  Henry  M.  Harrison,  Abner  Strat- 
"ton,  Elijah  Thomas,  Hezekiah  Epperson,  Edward  W.  Hall,  Adam  Tay- 
lor, Daniel  Dunnic,  Thomas  Washburn  and  Anthony  Epperson. 

In  all  the  precincts  there  were  but  one  hundred  and  sixteen  votes 
cast. 

SOURCES  OF  REVENUE,  SURVEYS,  ETC. 

By  order  of  the  County  Coiirt,  all  business  men  were  required  to  take 
out  licenses,  for  which  fees  were  charged  according  to  their  supposed 
profits.  Peddlers  were  looked  on  with  suspicion,  and  a  fee  was  exacted 
double  that  required  of  the  merchant,  who  could  secure  one  while  court 
was  in  session  for  eight  dollars,  but  in  vacation  the  Clerk  was  directed  to 
assess  sixteen.  This  we  suppose  was  to  make  men  respect  the  Court's 
dignity. 

The  county  being  hard  up,  George  Ish  and  Thomas  Gallaher  were  au- 
thorized to  borrow  $200  on  its  credit,  to  purchase  the  land  of  the  United 


SALE  OF  LOTS  AT  PUBLIC  AUCTION.  91 

States  Government  upon  which  the  State  had  located  the  seat  of  justice, 
but  here  a  new  difficulty  arose ;  for  County  Surveyor  Stevenson  having, 
in  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  Court,  surveyed  the  fractional  quar- 
ter section  upon  which  the  Commissioners  had  located  the  new  county- 
seat,  and  found  it  to  contain  only  twelve  acres  —  far  too  little  for  the 
future  great  metropolis, —  the  Court  appointed  John  M.  Gay  to  proceed 
to  the  residence  of  any  two  of  said  Commissioners  and  get  them  to  alter 
their  report  so  as  to  include  the  south-east  quarter,  or  else  to  make 
a  new  location.  They  were  easily  persuaded  to  amend  it  in  accord- 
ance with  the  merits  of  the  case;  so  they  designated  the  south-east 
fractional  quarter  of  Section  9,  Town  32,  Range  2  west  as  the  future  seat 
of  justice,  and  George  Ish  was  sent  to  Springfield  to  enter  the  same  at  the 
Government  Land  Office,  for  the  benefit  of  the  County  of  Putnam. 

September  5,  1831,  John  B.  Dodge,  Thomas  Gunn,  William  Smith 
and  Thomas  G.  Ross,  having  been  elected  Constables  in  August,  pre- 
sented their  bonds,  and  the  same  were  approved. 

September  (!,  Dunlavy  &  Stewart  took  out  a  license  to  sell  merchand- ' 
ise  from  August  1,  1831';    also  a  like  legal  authority  to  sell  goods  was 
granted  to  J.  &  W.  Durley,  from  August  11,  1831. 

September  7,  1831,  twelve  blocks  of  the  future  town  of  Hennepin 
were  ordered  to  be  surveyed,  and  Ira  Ladd  allowed  eighteen  and  three- 
fourths  cents  per  lot  for  surveying. 

A  road  leading  from  Hennepin  west  to  the  State  road  from  Peoria  to 
Galena,  was  ordered  to  be  surveyed ;  also  a  road  to  Smith's  Ford,  on  Spoon 
River,  to  be  re-surveyed  and  marked,  and  another  to  be  laid  out  from 
Hennepin  to  Holland's  settlement  in  Tazewell  County  (now  Washington) ; 
another  was  laid  out  from  the  county  seat  to  the  McComas  place. 

The  first  sale  of  lots  in  Hennepin  was  ordered  to  be  made,  at  public 
auction,  on  the  third  Monday  of  September,  1831,  half  the  purchase  money 
to  be  paid  down,  and  the  balance  in  two  payments,  in  six  and  twelve 
months.  A  general  sale  was  ordered  to  take  place  on  the  first  Monday  of 
December,  1831,  on  similar  terms,  to  be  advertised  in  the  newspapers  at 
Springfield  and  Galena,  Illinois,  and  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  the  then  most 
considerable  papers  in  the  west. 

The  first  Commissioner  of  School  Lands  was  Nathaniel  Chamberlain, 
who  was  appointed  September  26,  1831.  *.. 

The  ground  where  the  new  town  was  located  was  heavily  timbered,  if 
we  may  credit  the  following  notice  "from  the  Coiirt,"  which  "Ordered, 


92  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

that  notice  he  given  to  all  persons  cutting  timber  on  the  streets  of  Ilenne- 
pin,  to  clear  the  whole  tree  they  cut  down  from  the  street  even  with  the 
ground,  and  all  who  infringe  upon  this  rule  will  be  prosecuted." 

Ira  Ladd  was  next  called  upon  to  survey  eight  additional  blocks,  and 
he  complied  by  laying  out  eighteen,  for  which  he  was  paid  $3.50.  Sam- 
uel Patterson  was  auctioneer  at  this  sale,  and  was  allowed  the  surprising 
sum  of  one  dollar  for  "  crying  "  them. 

December  8,  1831,  George  H.  Shaw,  Thomas  Wafer,  Elijah  Smith  and 
Benjamin  Smith  were  appointed  Overseers  of  the  Poor — the  first  in  this 
county.  The  same  day  the  Court  confirmed  a  permit  issued  in  vacation 
to  James  S.  Simpson,  to  sell  goods;  and  also  tranferred  a  license  from  Ira 
Ladd  to  Thomas  Hartzell,  for  merchandizing. 

March  6,  1832,  James  W.  Willis  was  appointed  Treasurer,  and  filed 
his  bond  at  the  same  time. 

Up  to  March  7,  1832,  all  efforts  had  failed  to  acquire  title  to  the  land 
set  apart  as  the  seat  of  justice,  and  a  new  endeavor  was  made. 

The  taxes  of  1832  were  fixed  at  one  and  a  half  per  centum  on  all  per- 
sonal property. 

At  this  session  of  the  Court,  Erastus  Wright  and  Wm.  Porter,  who 
were  running  a  ferry  at  the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek,  were  taxed  $5.00  for 
the  privilege.  This  was  March  16,  1832,  and  was  probably  the  first  feny 
established  at  Hemy. 

July  2,  1832,  the  Precinct  of  Columbia  was  created  out  of  Sandy  Pre- 
cinct, and  embracing  "  all  the  country  east  of  the  Illinois  River,  south  and 
south-west  of  Geo.  H.  Thompson's.  Robert  Bird,  James  Dever  and  Rob- 
ert Barnes  were  appointed  judges,  and  the  first  election  was  ordered  to  be 
held  at  the  house  of  John  Strawn. 

No  title  to  the  land  where  Hennepin  stands  had  yet  been  acquired, 
although  Hooper  Warren  had  specially  visited  Springfield  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  at  the  July  session  James  G.  Dunlavy  was  dispatched  to  St. 
Louis  upon  the  same  errand. 

Elisha  Swan  was  granted  a  license  to  sell  goods  at  Columbia,  Septem- 
ber 3,  1832. 

James  W.  Willis,  for  assessing  the  entire  property  of  the  county,  was 
allowed  $25.00. 

September  %  1832,  Thomas  Gallaher,  Jr.,  for  selling  goods  without  a 
license,  was  brought  before  Hooper  Warren,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
fined  $10.00. 


FERRY  RATES PUBLIC  SCHOOLS ROADS.  93 

September  10,  1832,  Aaron  Whittaker  was  employed  to  build  a  "stray 
pen,  according  to  law." 

John  Lloyd,  John  Myers,  and  Bradstreet  M.  Hays  were  appointed  to 
locate  a  road  from  Hennepin  to  Ottawa,  and  a  former  survey  on  that 
route  was  ordered  to  be  vacated. 

The  Commissioners  of  Peoria  County  having  granted  a  license,  De- 
cember 3,  1830,  to  Thompson  <fe  Wright  to  keep  a  ferry  at  the  mouth  of 
Sandy  Creek  (Hemy),  the  Commissioners  of  Putnam,  October  (>,  1832, 
ordered  the  same  continued  in  the  name  of  E.  Wright  and  Wm.  Porter, 
who  seem  to  have  in  some  way  succeeded  the  former  owners. 

The  new  ferrymen  were  required  to  pay  to  the  county  $2.00,  and  give 
bonds  in  the  sum  of  $100  that  they  would  run  the  ferry  according  to  law 
and  the  following  ferry  rates  : 

Foot  passengers,  each 6  J  cents. 

Man  and  horse 12J 

Dearborn,  or  one-horse  wagon 25 

Sulky,  gig,  pleasure  carriage  with  springs,  chaise  or  other  wheel  car- 
riage drawn  by  one  horse 50 

Same,  or  wagon  or  cart  drawn  by  two  horses  or  beasts 37£ 

Same,  by  four  horses  or  beasts 75 

Each  additional  horse G] 

Each  head  of  cattle 61 

Hog,  sheep  o  r  goat,  each 3 

Goods,  per  100  pounds 6  J 

When  the  water  is  out  of  its  banks,  double  the  above  rates. 

Ira  Ladd  was  authorized  to  keep  the  Hennepin  ferry. 
October  (5,  1832,  it  was  ordered  that  a  lot  be  donated  in  Hennepin  for 
the  benefit  of  the  public  schools,  and  lot  17  of  block  7  having  been  se- 
lected, the  same  was  deeded  to  the  school  district. 

October  (5,  1832,  a  road  was  ordered  surveyed  from  Columbia  (Lacon) 
past  Strawn's  and  Dever's  places,  south  to  the  county  line  of  Putnam 
and  Tazewell.  John  Robinson,  Anthony  Turck,  and  B.  M.  Hays,  Com- 
missioners. 

October  6,  1832,  "Lemuel  Gaylord  came  before  the  Court  and  made 
affidavit  that  he  was  aged  sixty-seven  years ;  that  he  entered  the  service 
of  the  United  States  Government  for  one  Ithurial  Hart,  of  the  Quarter- 
master's Department,  under  command  of  Captain  Tuttle,  in  June,  1 780 ; 
continued  till  December,  1780;  re-enlisted  in  April,  1781 ;  drove  team  till 
December  27,  following ;  was  with  the  expedition  to  Yorktown,  and  after 
the  taking  of  Cornwallis,  hauled  a  piece  of  artillery  to  Newburg,  and 


94  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

baggage  back.  In  April,  1782,  enlisted  again;  went  to  headquarters  at 
New  burg,  remained  under  the  command  of  Major  Skidmore  till  December 
20,  following,  and  believe  myself  entitled  to  a  pension,"  etc. 

This  affidavit  bears  the  signature  of  Edward  Hale  and  Peter  Ellis, 
ministers  of  the  Gospel,  who  certify  to  Gaylord's  good  character  and 
truthfulness. 

In  further  explanation,  it  should  be  stated  that  Gaylord  was  a  minor 
at  the  time,  and  his  father  was  entitled  to  the  pension,  but  the  latter  hav- 
ing been  killed  by  the  Indians  at  the  massacre  of  Wyoming,  it  had  never 
been  allowed.  Mr.  Gaylord  was  fortunate  in  securing  what  he  was  so 
justly  entitled  to,  and  spent  his  remaining  days  at  his  home  on  Sandy. 
He  was  universally  respected,  and  after  living  to  an  advanced  age,  was 
gathered  to  his  fathers,  and  sleeps  in  an  honored  grave  in  Cumberland 
Cemetery. 

December  25,  1832,  Roswell  Blanchard  surrendered  his  license  to  sell 
goods,  and  in  its  stead  applied  for  one  to  keep  a  tavern  at  Hennepin, 
which  was  granted  for  a  fee  of  fifty  cents,  and  bonds  required  in  the 
amount  of  $200  that  he  would,  among  the  duties  of  landlord,  strictly  live 
up  to  the  following  rates  of  charges :  Horse  one  night,  25c. ;  one  feed, 
12Ac. ;  one  horse  twenty-four  hours,  ST^c. ;  man,  one  meal,  18fc;  night's 
lodging,  GJc. ;  whisky — one  gill  6£c.,  half-pint  12^c.,  one  pint  18fc. ; 
brandy,  rum,  gin  and  wine,  one  gill  12Ac;  half-pint  25c.,  pint  50c. 

December  29,  1832,  Captain  Brown's  Rangers,  a  body  of  militia  organ- 
ized to  protect  the  white  people  of  the  frontier  against  the  Indians,  were 
quartered  near  Hennepin,  and  occasionally  had  to  use  the  ferry.  The 
Court  made  the  following  special  order:  "Captain  Brown's  company  of 
Hangers  are  granted  the  use  of  the  ferry  to  cross  at  Hennepin,  for  $2.00 
over  and  back,  or  $2.00  per  week,  as  Captain  Brown  may  choose. 

March  6,  1833,  Hooper  Warren,  Justice,  reported  that  he  had  fined 
Roswell  Blanchard  $3.00  for  an  assault  upon  Leonard  Roth.  Also,  George 
Wilmarth  seems  to  have  perpetrated  an  assault  and  battery  upon  the  de- 
voted person  of  David  Jones,  somewhat  noted  as  a  pugilist.  George  hav- 
ing apparently  got  the  best  of  this  encounter,  the  Justice  fined  him  $5.00 
and  costs. 

The  entire  taxes  collected  in  1832,  in  the  County  of  Putnam,  amounted 
to  —  cash,  $88.19,  and  county  orders,  $104.G2i. 

A  road  from  the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  up  the  Illinois  River,  under 
the  bluffs,  through  Columbia,  and  along  the  bottom  to  the  mouth  of 


DIVISION    OF    PUTNAM    INTO    THREE    COUNTIES.  95 

Saudy  (opposite  Henry),  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out,  and  Jesse  Sawyer 
and  the  County  Surveyor  were  appointed  Commissioners  to  perform  the 
labor,  June  3,  1833. 

Peter  Earnhardt,  paymaster  of  the  Fourth  Illinois  Militia,  filed  his 
bond  in  $200,  as  by  law  required,  and  the  same  was  approved. 

September  2,  183.3,  J.  W.  Willis  was  sent  to  Springfield  to  get  patents 
for  the  land  occupied  by  Hennepin  and  the  county  buildings.  All  previ- 
ous efforts  in  this  direction  had  regularly  failed.  The  county  had  been 
selling  and  conveying  property  to  which  it  had  as  yet  no  title,  and  ner- 
vous purchasers  and  tax-payers  who  feared  that  some  audacious  claim- 
jumper  might  steal  the  county  property,  or  that  which  had  been  claimed 
for  court  house  and  jail  purposes,  kept  the  Honorable  Commissioners' 
Court  in  the  warmest  of  hot  water,  and  every  previous  attempt  to  get  titles 
having  so  wretchedly  miscarried,  they  were  becoming  desperate. 

December  16,  it  was  ordered  that  the  Commissioners'  Clerk  and  Sheriff 
relinquish  their  fees  for  this  term  of  Court.  No  explanation  is  vouch- 
safed, and  we  are  left  in  the  dark  as  to  whether  the  county  was  unable  to 
pay  its  public  servants,  or  the  Treasurer  had  grown  so  weak  he  could  not 
draw  the  necessary  orders. 

FERRY    LICENSES. 

September  1,  1834,  Alex.  Tompkins  was  granted  a  license  to  run  a 
ferry  at  the  mouth  of  Negro  Creek,  at  the  house  of  John  Cole. 

Elisha  Swan  was  allowed  a  ferry  license  at  Columbia,  March  2,  1835, 
and  was  taxed  $15.00;  and  at  the  same  time  was  granted  a  merchant's 
license. 

March  2,  a  license  was  given  Wm.  Hammett  to  run  a  ferry  at  the 
mouth  of  Crow  Creek. 


FORMATION  OF  MARSHALL  COUNTY. 

t 

By  1835  Putnam  had  3,948  whites  and  eight  negroes,  of  whom  two 
were  registered  servants,  or  more  plainly,  slaves. 

The  county  was  growing  rapidly,  and  the  location  of  the  county  seat 
being  found  inconvenient  for  many,  the  project  for  a  new  county  was  agi- 
tated, and  the  result  was  the  formation  of  the  magnificent  county  of  Bu- 
reau, with  Princeton  for  its  county  seat. 


96  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

This  was  followed  by  another  division,  and  Marshall  County  was 
formed.  Thus  from  being  the  largest  county  in  the  State  and  leading  all 
others  in  population,  wealth  and  political  influence,  Putnam  was  shorn 
of  its  fair  pYoportions,  and  made  the  very  smallest.  The  student  of  his- 
tory as  he  reads  this  will  wonder  why  this  wrong  was  permitted,  and  ask 
if  there  were  none  in  the  Legislature  to  plead  for  .and  protect  her  just 
rights.  We  cannot  answer. 

In  the  "Bribery  Act"  of  1837,  whereby  millions  of  money  was  voted 
to  railroads  never  constructed,  the  consent  or  silent  approval  of  counties 
not  benefitted  was  secured  by  loans  of  money,  and  under  its  provisions 
Putnam  was  entitled  to  and  received  $10,000  as  her  portion  of  the  "steal." 
But  "ill  gotten  gains  are  treacherous  friends,"  the  proverb  hath  it,  and 
so  it  turned  out,  for  the  Treasurer,  Ammon  Moon,  loaned  it  out  so  se- 
curely that  it  has  never  been  recovered. 

The  last  act  of  the  Commissoners  was  to  divide  the  county  into  town- 
ships in  accordance  with  an  act  of  the  Legislature  and  vote  of  the  people, 
and  this  duty  was  assigned  to  Guy  W.  Pool  and  Jeremiah  Strawn. 

The  labors  of  the  old  County  Commissioners'  Court  ceased  April  16, 
1856,  when  the  new  County  Supervisors  met  at  Hennepin  and  took  upon 
themselves  the  dignity  of  office.  The  first  Board  consisted  of  Townsend 
G.  Fyffe,  of  Magnolia,  who  was  elected  chairman,  and  James  S.  Simpson 
of  Hennepin,  Benjamin  F.  Carpenter  of  Senachwine,  and  Joel  "W.  Hopkins 
of  Granville. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  PROBATE  COURT. 

Colby  F.  Stevenson  was  the  first  Probate  Judge  of  Putnam  County, 
and  performed  its  duties  in  addition  to  those  of  Surveyor. 

The  first  case  for  adjudication  was  the  estate  of  Daniel  Bland,  of  Round 
Prairie,  who  died  on  the  8th  day  of  February,  1831.  The  circumstances 
of  his  death  will  be  more  particularly  referred  to  hereafter.  His  widow, 
Nancy  Bland,  was  appointed  administratrix,  under  bonds  of  $1,250.  Rob- 
ert Bird  became  her  surety. 

John  P.  Blake  was  the  next  Judge,  and  his  first  official  act  was  admin- 
istering upon  the  estate  of  Zion  Shugart,  who  died  February  13,  1833. 
His  widow  was  appointed  administratrix,  and  Samuel  Glenn  became  her 
surety.  Dr.  Condee,  of  Columbia  (Lacon),  appears  to  have  been  physician 
to  deceased,  since  his  bill  is  allowed. 


DEATH   NOTICES   OF   EAKLY   SETTLERS.  97 

Aaron  Payne,  the  missionary, 'presents  a  bill  of  $11.25  for  officiating  at 
the  inquest  of  Daniel  Gunn,  who  hanged  himself  on  Oxbow  Prairie,  and 
the  same  was  allowed. 

December  8,  1831,  James  Reynolds  died,  and  Jane  M.  Reynolds  was 
made  executrix. 

Another  record  is  the  indenture  of  Caleb  Stark  to  Elias  Isaacs,  who 
agrees  "for  three  years'  service"  to  instruct  his  apprentice  in  the  "art, 
trade  or  mystery  of  currying."  After  one  year's  service  the  contract  was 
abrogated. 

September  7, 1831,  Wm.  Wauhob,  Sr.,  died  on  Round  Prairie.  January 
5,  1835,  Robert,  his  son,  comes  to  the  County  Court  and  complains  that 
his  brother  William  has  appropriated  the  entire  estate  of  their  father, 
and  wants  an  account  rendered  and  a  division.  After  a  long  contest  over 
the  matter,  the  parties  got  into  court  and  settled. 

James  Dever  died  in  December,  1834,  and  his  will  was  proven  in  Jan- 
uary, 1835. 

We  close  our  records  with  the  following  death  notices  of  settlers  whom 
many  will  remember:  Thornton  Wilson  died  March  9,  1835;  Jos.  Babb, 
April  7;  Oliver  Johnson,  August  6;  Alexander  Wilson,  July  22;  William 
Britt,  June  25 ;  and  Naomi  Ware,  October  3,  of  that  year.  The  last  named 
left  by  will  a  considerable  portion  of  her  estate  to  the  New  School  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Hennepin. 


5)8 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


THE  BLACK  HAWK  WAR. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  TREATY  OF  1804. 

important  episode  in  the  history  of  Marshall  and  Putnam 
Counties  demands  extended  notice,  and  for  what  follows  we 
are  mainly  indebted  to  Ex-Governor  Thomas  Ford,  who 
was  a  personal  actor  therein,  and  probably  the  very  best 
man  that  could  be  found  to  tell  the  story.  In  order  to  a 
full  and  complete  understanding  of  the  causes  that  led  to  it, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  refer  to  a  treaty  made  by  General 
Harrison,  at  St.  Louis,  in  1804,  with  the  chief  of  the  Sac 
and  Fox  nations  of  Indians,  by  which  those  Indians  ceded  to  the  United 
States  all  their  lands  on  Rock  River,  and  much  more  elsewhere. 

"This  grant  was  confirmed  by  a  part  of  the  tribe  in  a  treaty  with 
Governor  Edwards  and  Auguste  Chouteau,  in  September,  1815,  and  by 
another  part  in  a  treaty  with  the  same  Commissioners  in  May,  1816.  The 
United  States  had  caused  some  of  these  lands,  situate  at  the  mouth  of 
Rock  River,  to  be  surveyed  and  sold.  They  included  the  great  town  of 
the  nation,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  purchasers  from  the  Gov- 
ernment moved  on  their  lands,  built  houses,  made  fences  and  fields,  and 
thus  took  possession  of  the  ancient  metropolis  of  the  Indian  nation.  It 
consisted  of  about  two  or  three  hundred  lodges  made  of  small  poles  set 
upright  in  the  ground,  upon  which  other  poles  were  tied  transversely 
with  bark  at  the  top,  so  as  to  hold  a  covering  of  bark  peeled  from  the 
neighboring  trees,  and  secured  with  other  strips  sewed  to  the  transverse 
poles.  The  sides  of  the  lodges  were  secured  in  the  same  manner.  The 
principal  part  of  these  Indians  had  long  since  moved  from  their  town  to 
the  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

"But  there  was  one  old  chief  of  the  Sacs,  called  Mucata  Muhicatah, 
or  Black  Hawk,  who  always  denied  the  validity  of  these  treaties.  Black 
Hawk  was  now  an  old  man.  He  had  been  a  warrior  from  his  youth.  He 
had  led  many  a  war  party  on  the  trail  of  an  enemy,  and  had  never  been 


CHAKACTER    OF    BLACK    HAWK.  99 

defeated.  He  had  been  in  the  service  of  England  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
had  been  aid-de-camp  to  the  great  Tecumseh.  He  was  distinguished  for 
courage  and  for  clemency  to  the  vanquished.  He  was  an  Indian  patriot, 
a  kind  husband  and  father,  and  was  noted  for  his  integrity  in  all  his  deal- 
ings with  his  tribe  and  with  the  Indian  traders.  He  was  firmly  attached 
to  the  British,  and  cordially  hated  the  Americans.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  of  1812  he  did  not  join  in  making  peace  with  the  United  States, 
but  himself  and  band  kept  up  their  connection  with  Canada,  and  were 
ever  ready  for  a  war  with  our  people.  He  was  in  his  personal  deport- 
ment grave  and  melancholy,  with  a  disposition  to  cherish  and  brood  over 
the  wrongs  he  supposed  he  had  received  from  the  Americans.  He  was 
thirsting  for  revenge  upon  his  enemies,  and  at  the  same  time  his  piety  con- 
strained him  to  devote  one  day  in  the  year  to  visit  the  grave  of  a  favorite 
daughter  buried  on  the  Mississippi  River,  not  far  from  Oquawka.  Here  he 
came  on  his  yearly  visit,  and  spent  a  day  by  the  grave,  lamenting  and  be- 
wailing the  death  of  one  who  had  been  the  pride  of  his  family  and  of  his 
Indian  home.  With  these  feelings  was  mingled  the  certain  and  melan- 
choly prospect  of  the  extinction  of  his  tribe,  and  the  transfer  of  his  coun- 
try, with  its  many  silvery  rivers,  rolling  and  green  prairies,  and  dark 
forests,  the  haunts  of  his  youth,  to  the  possession  of  a  hated  enemy; 
while  he  and  his  people  were  to  be  driven,  as  he  supposed,  into  a  strange 
country,  far  from  the  graves  of  his  fathers  and  his  children. 

"Black  Hawk's  own  account  of  the  treaty  of  1804  is  as  follows.  He 
says  that  some  Indians  of  the  tribe  were  arrested  and  imprisoned  in  St. 
Louis  for  murder;  that  some  of  the  chiefs  were  sent  down  to  provide  for 
their  defence ;  that  while  there,  and  without  the  consent  of  the  nation, 
they  were  induced  to  sell  the  Indian  country ;  that  when  they  came  home, 
it  appeared  that  they  had  been  drunk  most  of  the  time  they  were  absent, 
and  could  give  no  account  of  what  they  had  done,  except  that  they  had 
sold  some  land  to  the  white  people,  and  had  come  home  loaded  with 
presents  and  Indian  finery.  This  was  all  the  nation  ever  heard  or  knew 
about  the  treaty  of  1804. 

"  Under  the  pretence  that  this  treaty  was  void,  he  resisted  the  order 
of  the  Government  for  the  removal  of  his  tribe  west  of  the  Mississippi. 
In  the  spring  of  1831  he  re-crossed  the  river,  with  his  women  and  children 
and  three  hundred  warriors  of  the  British  band,  together  with  some  allies 
from  the  Pottawatomie  and  Kickapoo  nations,  to  establish  himself  upon 
his  ancient  hunting-grounds  and  in  the  principal  village  of  his  nation.  He 


100  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

ordered  the  white  settlers  away,  threw  down  their  fences,  unroofed  their 
houses,  cut  up  their  grain,  drove  off  and  killed  their  cattle,  and  threat- 
ened the  people  with  death  if  they  remained.  The  settlers  made  their 
complaints  to  Governor  Reynolds.  These  acts  of  the  Indians  were  con- 
sidered by  the  Governor  to  be  an  invasion  of  the  State.  He  immediately 
addressed  letters  to  General  Gaines,  of  the  United  States  army,  and  to 
General  Clark,  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  calling  upon  them  to 
use  the  influence  of  the  Government  to  procure  the  peaceful  removal  of 
the  Indians,  if  possible ;  at  all  events,  to  defend  and  protect  the  American 
citizens  who  had  purchased  those  lands  from  the  United  States,  and  were 
now  about  to  be  ejected  by  the  Indians.  General  Gaines  repaired  to  Rock 
Island  with  a  few  companies  of  regular  soldiers,  and  soon  ascertained 
that  the  Indians  were  bent  upon  war.  He  immediately  called  upon  Gov- 
ernor Reynolds  for  seven  hundred  mounted  volunteers.  The  Governor 
obeyed  the  requisition.  A  call  was  made  upon  some  of  the  northern  and 
central  counties,  in  obedience  to  which  fifteen  hundred  volunteers  rushed 
to  his  standard  at  Beardstown,  and  about  the  10th  of  June  were  organ- 
ized and  ready  to  march  to  the  seat  of  war.  The  whole  force  was  divided 
into  two  regiments,  an  odd  battalion  and  a  spy  battalion.  The  first  regi- 
ment was  commanded  by  Col.  James  D.  Hemy,  the  second  by  Col.  Daniel 
Lieb,  the  odd  battalion  by  Maj.  Nathaniel  Buckmaster,  and  the  spy  bat- 
talion by  Maj.  Samuel  Whiteside.  The  whole  brigade  was  put  under  the 
command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Joseph  Duncan,  of  the  State  Militia.  This  was 
the  largest  military  force  of  Illinoisans  which  had  ever  been  assembled  in 
the  State,  and  made  an  imposing  appearance  as  it  traversed  the  then  un- 
broken wilderness  of  prairie. 

The  army  proceeded  in  four  days  to  the  Mississippi,  at  a  place  now 
called  Rockport,  about  eight  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Rock  River,  where 
it  met  General  Gaines  in  a  steamboat,  with  a  supply  of  provisions.  Here 
it  encamped  for  the  night,  and  the  two  Generals  concerted  a  plan  of 
operations.  General  Gaines  had  been  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Indian  town 
for  about  a  month,  during  which  time  it  might  be  supposed  that  he  had 
made  himself  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  localities  and  topography  of 
the  country.  The  next  morning  the  volunteers  marched  forward,  with  an 
old  regular  soldier  for  a  guide.  The  steamboat  with  General  Gaines 
ascended  the  river.  A  battle  was  expected  to  be  fought  that  day  on  Van- 
druff's  Island,  opposite  the  Indian  town.  The  plan  was  for  the  volun- 
teers to  cross  the  slough  on  to  this  island,  give  battle  to  the  enemy  if 


GENERAL    GAINES'    FRUITLESS    CAMPAIGN.  101 

found  there,  and  then  to  ford  the  main  river  into  the  town,  where  they 
were  to  be  met  by  the  regular  force  coming  down  from  the  fort.  The 
island  was  covered  with  bushes  and  vines,  so  as  to  be  impenetrable  to  the 
sight  at  the  distance  of  twenty  feet.  General  Gaines  ran  his  steamboat 
up  to  the  point  of  the  island,  and  fired  several  rounds  of  grape  and  can- 
ister shot  into  it  to  test  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  The  spy  battalion 
formed  in  line  of  battle  and  swept  the  island;  but  it  was  soon  ascertained 
that  the  ground  rose  so  high  within  a  short  distance  of  the  bank,  that 
General  Gaines's  shot  could  not  have  taken  effect  one  hundred  yards  from 
the  shore.  The  main  body  of  the  volunteers,  in  three  columns,  came  fol- 
lowing the  spies;  but  before  they  had  got  to  the  northern  side  of  -the 
island,  they  were  so  jammed  up  and  mixed  together,  officers  and  men, 
that  no  man  knew  his  own  company  or  regiment,  or  scarcely  himself. 
General  Gaines  had  ordered  the  artillery  of  the  regular  army  to  be  sta- 
tioned on  a  high  bluff  which  looked  down  upon  the  contemplated  battle- 
field a  half  mile  distant,  from  whence,  in  case  of  battle  with  the  Indians 
in  the  tangled  thickets^of  the  island,  their  shot  were  likely  to  kill  more  of 
their  friends  than  their  enemies.  It  would  have  been  impossible  for  the 
artillerists  to  distinguish  one  from  the  other.  And  when  the  army  arrived 
at  the  main  river,  they  found  it  a  bold,  deep  stream,  not  fordable  for  a 
half  mile  or  more  above  by  horses,  and  no  means  of  transportation  was 
then  ready  to  ferry  them  over.  Here  they  were  in  sight  of  the  Indian 
town,  with  a  narrow,  deep  river  running  between,  and  here  the  princi- 
pal part  of  them  remained  until  scows  could  be  brought  to  ferry  them 
across  it. 

"  When  the  volunteers  reached  the  town  they  found  no  enemy  there. 
The  Indians  had  quietly  departed  the  same  morning  in  their  canoes  for 
the  western  side  of  the  Mississippi.  Whilst  in  camp  twelve  miles  below, 
the  evening  before,  a  canoe  load  of  Indians  came  down  with  a  white  flag 
to  tell  the  General  that  they  were  peaceable  Indians,  that  they  expected  a 
great  battle  to  come  off  the  next  day,  that  they  desired  to  remain  neutral, 
and  wanted  to  retire  with  their  families  to  some  place  of  safety,  and  they 
asked  to  know  where  that  was  to  be.  General  Gaines  answered  them 
veiy  abruptly,  and  told  them  to  be  off  and  go  to  the  other  side  of  the 
Mississippi.  That  night  they  returned  to  their  town,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing early  the  whole  band  of  hostile  Indians  re-crossed  the  river,  and  tlrus 
entitled  themselves  to  protection." 

Says  Governor  Ford:     "It  has  been  stated  to  me  by  Jiidge  William 


102  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Thomas,  of  Jacksonville,  who  acted  as  Quartermaster  of  the  brigade  of 
volunteers,  that  Games  and  Duncan  had  reason  to  believe,  before  the 
commencement  of  the  march  from  the  camp  on  the  Mississippi,  that  the 
Indians  had  departed  from  their  village,  that  measures  had  been  taken  to 
ascertain  the  fact  before  the  volunteers  crossed  to  Vandruff's  Island,  that 
General  Duncan,  in  company  with  the  advanced  guard,  following  the  spies, 
preceded  the  main  body  in  crossing,  and  that  this  will  account  for  the  con- 
fusion and  want  of  order  in  the  march  of  the  troops. 

"I  was  myself  in  company  with  the  spies,  arriving  at  the  river  a  mile 
in  advance  of  the  army.  I  saw  General  Gaines  ascend  with  his  boat  to 
the  point  of  the  island;  was  within  one  hundred  yards  of  him  when  lie 
fired  into  the  island  to  test  the  presence  of  the  Indians;  I  marched  ahead 
with  the  spies  across  the  island,  saw  with  my  own  eyes  the  elevation  of 
the  land  near  the  shore,  which  would  have  prevented  cannon  shot  from 
taking  effect  more  than  one  hundred  yards.  I  also  knew  the  condition  of 
the  island  as  to  bushes  and  vines,  and  saw  the  artilleiy  firing  from  the  fort 
stationed  on  the  high  bluff  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  I  was  on 
the  bank  of  the  main  river  when  General  Duncan  came  up,  followed  soon 
after  by  his  brigade  in  the  utmost  confusion,  and  heard  him  reprimand 
John  S.  Miller,  a  substantial  and  worthy  citizen  of  Rock  Island,  for  not 
letting  him  know  that  the  main  river  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  island ; 
and  I  heard  Miller  curse  him  to  his  face  at  the  head  of  his  troops  for  re- 
fusing his  services  as  guide  when  offered  the  evening  before,  and  then  cen- 
suring him  for  not  giving  information  which  he  had  refused  to  receive.  I 
give  the  facts  as  I  personally  know  them  to  be  true,  and  leave  it  to  others  to 
judge  whether  the  two  Generals,  knowing  of  the  departure  of  the  Indians, 
had  taken  proper  measures  to  ascertain  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  or  had 
made  the  best  disposition  for  a  battle  if  the  Indians  had  been  found  either 
at  their  village  or  on  the  island.  Much  credit  is  undoubtedly  due  to  Gov- 
ernor Reynolds  and  General  Duncan  for  the  unprecedented  quickness  with 
which  the  brigade  was  called  out,  organized,  and  marched  to  the  seat 
of  war,  and  neither  of  them  are  "justly  responsible  for  what  was  arranged 
for  them  by  General  Gaines. 

"  The  enemy  having  escaped,  the  volunteers  were  determined  to  be 
avenged  upon  something.  The  rain  descended  in  torrents,  and  the  Indian 
wigwams  would  have  furnished  a  comfortable  shelter ;  but  notwithstand- 
ing the  rain,  the  whole  town  was  soon  wrapped  in  flames,  and  tlms  per- 
ished an  ancient  village  which  had  once  been  the  delightful  home  of  six  or 


A   BRIEF    PEACE RENEWAL    OF    HOSTILITIES.  103 

seven  thousand  Indians ;  where  generation  after  generation  had  been  born, 
had  died,  and  been  buried ;  where  the  old  men  had  taught  wisdom  to  the 
young ;  whence  the  Indian  yoiith  had  often  gone  out  in  parties  to  hunt  or 
to  war,  and  returned  in  triumph  to  dance  around  the  spoils  of  the  forest, 
or  the  scalps  of  their  enemies;  and  where  the  dark-eyed  Indian  maidens, 
by  their  presence  and  charms,  had  made  it  a  scene  of  delightful  enchant- 
ment to  many  an  admiring  warrior. 

"The  volunteers  marched  to  Rock  Island  next  morning,  and  here  they 
encamped  for  several  days,  precisely  where  the  town  of  Rock  Island  is 
now  situated.  It  was  then  in  a  complete  state  of  nature,  a  romantic  wil- 
derness. Fort  Armstrong  was  built  upon  a  rocky  cliff  on  the  lower  point 
of  an  island  near  the  center  of  the  river,  a  little  way  above;  the  shores 
on  each  side,  formed  of  gentle  slopes  of  prairie  extending  back  to  bluffs 
of  considerable  height,  made  it  one  of  the  most  picturesque  scenes  in  the 
Western  country.  The  river  here  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  clear,  swift-run- 
ning water,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide;  its  banks  on  both  sides 
were  uninhabited  except  by  Indians,  from  the  lower  rapids  to  the  fort, 
and  the  voyager  up  stream,  after  several  days'  solitary  progress  through  a 
wilderness  countiy  on  its  borders,  came  suddenly  in  sight  of  the  white- 
washed walls  and  towers  of  the  fort,  perched  upon  a  rock  surrounded  by 
the  grandeur  and  beauty  of  nature,  which  at  a  distance  gave  it  the  ap- 
pearance of  one  of  those  enchanted  castles  in  an  uninhabited  desert  so 
well  described  in  the  Arabian  Nights  Entertainment. 

General  Gaines  threatened  to  pursue  the  Indians  across  the  river, 
which  brought  Black  Hawk  and  the  chiefs  and  braves  of  the  hostile 
band  to  the  fort  to  sue  for  peace.  A  treaty  was  formed  with  them,  by 
which  they  agreed  to  remain  forever  after  on  the  west  side  of  the  river, 
and  never  to  recross  it  without  the  permission  of  the  President  or  the 
Governor  of  the  State.  And  thus  these  Indians  at  last  ratified  the  treaty 
of  1804,  by  which  their  lands  were  sold  to  the  white  people,  and  they 
agreed  to  live  in  peace  with  the  Government. 

"But  notwithstanding  this  treaty,  early  in  the  spring  of  1832,  Black 
Hawk  and  the  disaffected  Indians  prepared  to  reassert  their  right  to  the 
disputed  territory. 

"The  united  Sac  and  Fox  nations  were  divided  into  two  parties. 
Black  Hawk  commanded  the  warlike  band,  and  Keokuk,  another  chief, 
headed  the  band  which  was  in  favor  of  peace.  Keokuk  was  a  bold,  sa- 
gacious leader  of  his  people,  was  gifted  with  a  wild  and  stirring  eloquence 


104  KECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

rarely  to  be  found  even  among  Indians,  by  means  of  which  he  retained 
the  greater  part  of  his  people  in  amity  with  the  white  people.  But  nearly 
all  the  bold,  turbulent  spirits,  who  delighted  in  mischief,  arranged  them- 
selves under  the  banners  of  his  rival.  Black  Hawk  had  with  him  the 
chivalry  of  his  nation,  with  which  he  re-crossed  the  Mississippi  in  the 
spring  of  1832.  He  directed  his  march  to  the  Rock  River  country,  and 
this  time  aimed,  by  marching  up  the  river  into  the  territoiy  of  the  Potta- 
watomies  and  Winnebagoes,  to  make  them  his  allies.  Governor  Reynolds, 
upon  being  informed  of  the  facts,  made  another  call  for  volunteers.  In  a 
few  days  eighteen  hundred  men  rallied  under  his  banner  at  Beardstown. 
This  force  was  organized  into  four  regiments  and  a  spy  battalion.  Colonel 
Dewitt  commanded  the  First  Regiment,  Colonel  Fry  the  Second,  Colonel 
Thomas  the  Third,  Colonel  Thompson  the  Fourth,  and  Col.  James  D. 
Henry  commanded  the  spy  battalion.  The  whole  brigade  was  put  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Samuel  Whiteside,  of  the  State 
militia,  who  had  commanded  the  spy  battalion  in  the  first  campaign. 


STILLMAN  S    DEFEAT. 


105 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

DEFEAT    OF    MAJOR    STILLMAN. 

the  27th  of  April,  General  Whiteside,  accompanied  by  Gov- 
ernor Reynolds,  took  up  his  line  of  march.  The  army  pro- 
ceeded by  way  of  Oquawka,  on  the  Mississippi,  to  the  mouth 
of  Rock  River,  and  here  it  was  agreed  between  General 
Whiteside  and  General  Atkinson,  of  the  regulars,  that  the 
volunteers  should  march  up  Rock  River  about  fifty  miles, 
to  the  Prophet's  town,  and  there  encamp  to  feed  and  rest 
their  horses,  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  regular  troops  in 
keel  boats,  with  provisions. 

Judge  Thomas,  who  again  acted  as  quartermaster  to  the  volunteers, 
made  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of  provisions  required  until  the  boats 
could  arrive,  which  was  supplied,  and  then  General  Whiteside  took  up 
his  line  of  march.  But  when  he  arrived  at  the  Prophet's  town,  instead 
of  remaining  there,  his  men  set  fire  to  the  village,  which  was  entirely  con- 
sumed, and  the  brigade  marched  on  in  the  direction  of  Dixon,  forty  miles 
higher  up  the  river.  When  the  volunteers  had  arrived  within  a  short 
distance  of  Dixon,  orders  were  given  to  leave  the  baggage  wagons  behind, 
so  as  to  reach  there  by  a  forced  march.  And  for  the  relief  of  the  horses, 
the  men  left  large  quantities  of  provisions  behind  with  the  wagons.  At 
Dixon,  General  Whiteside  came  to  a  halt,  to  await  a  junction  with  Gen- 
eral Atkinson,  with  provisions  and  the  regular  forces;  and  from  here  par- 
ties were  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy  and  ascertain  his  position. 
The  army  here  found  upon  its  arrival  two  battalions  of  mounted  volun- 
teers, consisting  of  275  men,  from  tiie  counties  of  McLean,  Tazewell, 
Peoria,  and  Fulton,  under  the  command  of  Majors  Stillman  and  Bailey. 
The  officers  of  this  force  begged  to  be  put  forward  upon  some  dangerous 
service,  in  which  they  could  distinguish  themselves.  To  gratify  them,  they 
were  ordered  up  Rock  River  to  spy  out  the  Indians.  Major  Stillman  be- 
gan his  march  on  the  12th  of  May,  and  pursuing  his  way  on  the  south- 
east side,  he  came  to  "Old  Man's"  Creek,  since  called  "Stillman's  Run," 
a  small  stream  which  rises  in  White  Rock  Grove,  in  Ogle  County,  and 


X 

106  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

falls  into  the  river  near  Bloomingville.  Here  he  encamped  just  before 
night,  and  in  a  short  time  a  party  of  Indians  on  horseback  were  discov- 
ered on  a  rising  'ground  about  one  mile  distant  from  the  encampment.  A 
party  of  Stillman's  men  mounted  their  horses  without  orders  or  com- 
mander, and  were  soon  followed  by  others,  stringing  along  for  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  to  pursue  the  Indians  and  attack  them.  The  Indians  retreated 
after  displaying  a  red  flag,  the  emblem  of  defiance  and  war,  but  were  over- 
taken and  three  of  them  slain.  Here  Maj.  Samuel  Hackelton,  being  dis- 
mounted in  the  engagement,  distinguished  himself  by  a  combat  with  one 
of  the  Indians,  in  which  the  Indian  was  killed,  and  Major  Hackelton  after- 
ward made  his  way  on  foot  to  the  camp  of  General  Whiteside.  Black 
Hawk  was  near  by  with  his  main  force,,  and  being  prompt  to  repel  an 
assault,  soon  rallied  his  men,  amounting  then  to  about  seven  hundred 
warriors,  and.  moved  down  upon  Major  Stillman's  camp,  driving  the  dis- 
orderly rabble,  the  recent  pursuers,  before  him.  These  valorous  gentle- 
men, lately  so  hot  in  pursxiit  when  the  enemy  were  few,  were  no  less 
hasty  in  their  retreat  when  coming  in  contact  with  superior  numbers. 
They  came  with  horses  on  a  full  run,  and  in  this  manner  broke  through 
the  camp  of  Major  Stillman,  spreading  dismay  and  terror  among  the  rest 
of  his  men,  who  immediately  began  to  join  in  the  flight,  so  that  no  effort 
to  rally  them  could  possibly  have  succeeded.  Major  Stillman,  now  too 
late  to  remedy  the  evils  of  insubordination  and  disorder  in  his  command, 
did  all  that  was  practicable,  by  ordering  his  men  to  fall  back  in  order,  and 
form  on  higher  ground;  but  as  the  prairie  rose  behind  them  for  more  than 
a  mile,  the  ground  for  a  rally  was  never  discovered ;  and  besides  this,  when 
the  men  once  got  their  backs  to  the  enemy,  they  commenced  a  retreat 
without  one  thought  of  making  a  further  stand.  A  retreat  of  undisci- 
plined militia  from  the  attack  of  a  superior  lorce  is  apt  to  be  a  disorderly 
and  inglorious  flight.  And  so  it  was  here ;  each  man  sought  his  individual 
safety,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  the  whole  detachment  was  in  utter 
confusion.  They  were  pursued  in  their  flight  by  thirty  or  forty  Indians 
for  ten  or  twelve  miles,  the  fugitives  in  the  rear  keeping  up  a  flying  fire 
as  they  ran,  until  the  Indians  ceased  pursuing. 

"  But  there  were  some  good  soldiers  and  brave  men  in  Stillman's  de- 
tachment, whose  individual  efforts  succeeded  in  checking  the  career  of  the 
Indians,  whereby  many  escaped  that  night  who  would  otherwise  have 
been  the  easy  victims  of  the  enemy.  Among  these  were  Major  Perkins 
and  Captain  Adams,  who  fell  in  the  rear,  bravely  fighting  to  cover  the 


WHAT    A    BARBEL    OF    WHISKY    DID.  107 

retreat  of  their  fugitive  friends.  But  Major  Stillman 'and  his  men  pur- 
sued their  flight  without  looking  to  the  light  or  the  left,  until  they  were 
safely  landed  at  Dixon.  The  party  came  straggling  into  camp  all  night 
long,  four  or  five  at  a  time,  each  new  corner  being  confident  that  all  who 
•had  been  left  behind  had  been  massacred  by  the  Indians.  The  enemy  was 
stated  to  be  just  behind  in.  full  pursuit,  and  their  arrival  was  looked  for 
every  moment.  Eleven  of  Stillman's  men  were  killed,  and  it  is  only 
astonishing  that  the  number  was  so  few. 


NARRATIVE    OF    EDWIN    S.    JONES. 


As  this  is  mainly  a  local  history,  we  give  the  individual  recollections 
of  Edwin  S.  Jones  of  this  affair,  now  and  for  many  years  past  a  respected 
citizen  of  La  Prairie.  He  was  an  Orderly  Sergeant  in  Captain  Eads'  com- 
pany, and  enlisted  at  Peoria,  where  they  were  several  days  in  camp  pre- 
vious to  setting  out.  They  were  equipped  with  the  old-fashioned  musket 
of  that  day,  and  decidedly  averse  to  discipline,  each  individual  considering 
himself  a  free  American  citizen,  able  singly  to  subdue  and  capture  a  half 
dozen  Indians.  At  Boyd's  Grove,  where  they  camped  for  the  night,  they 
were  joined  by  Captain  Barnes  and  his  company,  and  at  Bureau  by  Cap- 
tain Baughman  and  twenty-eight  men,  when  they  received  orders  to  push 
on  to  Dixon,  where  the  Indians  stole  many  of  their  horses.  While  here 
they  were  joined  by  a  detachment  of  the  regular  army  under  Col.  Zack 
Taylor,  and  Lieuts.  Jeff.  Davis  and  Sidney  Johnson.  Between  the  volun- 
teers and  regulars  jealousy  and  ill  feeling  at  once  sprung  up,  the  former 
looking  upon  the  soldiers  as  "stuck  up"  and  supercilious,  while  the  reg- 
ulars frowned  with  contempt  upon  the  "greenhorn  farmers,"  fresh  from 
the  plow  and  hoe.  The  volunteers,  burning  with  impatience  to  pounce 
upon  the  foe  and  capture  them,  and  fearing  lest  that  honor  might  in  any 
way  be  divided  with  the  regulars,  could  hardly  be  held  within  bounds, 
and  when  their  commander,  Major  Stillman,  received  orders  to  reconnoitre 
the  enemy's  position,  the  men  hailed  it  as  a  permission  to  attack  the 
Indians  if  found. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1832,  they  started  up  Rock  River  in  the  midst  of 
a  pelting  storm,  the  volunteers  being  without  tents  or  shelter.  They 
marched  several  miles  and  went  into  camp,  cold,  wet  and  cheerless,  re- 
maining until  Monday,  when  they  moved  forward  to  Rock  River,  where 


108  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Major  Stillman  took  charge  of  the  detachment  to  which  the  writer  be- 
longed, known  as  the  "odd  battalion."  A  portion  of  the  command  came 
"from  Tazewell  County,  and  were  an  unusually  "hard  lot."  They  had 
brought  with  them  a  barrel  of  whisky,  of  which  the  men  had  partaken 
freely,  and  Major  Stillman,  fearing  its  demoralizing  effects,  ordered  -it 
taken  in  charge  by  Mr.  Jones,  which  duty  he  performed  until  relieved, 
when  he  proceeded  to  join  his  company.  As  he  was  mounting  his  horse 
an  order  came  to  "Forward,"  but  the  Tazewell  troops  refused  to  go  until 
they  had  got  their  "bitters."  They  smashed  in  the  head  of  the  barrel  and 
filled  their  coffee  pots,  besides  drinking  freely;  then  joined  in  the  march. 
Arriving  at  what  has  since  been  known  as  "Stillman's  Run,"  then  called 
"Old  Man's  Creek,"  they  found  a  region  of  swamps  and  morasses,  into 
which  they  plunged,  and  found  considerable  difficulty  in  getting  through, 
after  which  the  command  went  into  camp.  While  preparing  their  dinners 
a  party  of  mounted  Indians  approached  and  fired  from  a  distance,  which  set 
the  horses  to  rearing,  and  created  something  of  a  panic.  The  cry  of  "  In- 
dians! Indians!"  was  raised,  when  the  drunken  soldiers  mounted  their 
horses  and  went  galloping  forward,  yelling  like  maniacs.  The  warriors 
came  on  in  good  style  and  began  firing,  by  which  several  of  our  men  fell, 
when,  with  scarcely  a  return  shot,  the  cowardly  rabble  turned  and  ran 
for  dear  life,  throwing  away  guns,  hats  and  coats.  They  were  frightened 
out  of  their  wits,  and  their  cowardly  fear  communicated  to  the  whole 
camp,  which  broke  up  in  wild  disorder.  But  all  were  not  cowards,  and 
a  few  resolute  men  rode  out  and  met  the  savages,  giving  them  a  blizzard 
which  emptied  a  few  saddles  and  sent  them  to  the  right  about.  Another 
party  now  appeared,  and  news  came  that  the  Indians  had  surrounded  the 
men  who  had  pursued  them,  and  we  pushed  on  to  their  relief.  On  the 
way  several  dead  Indians  were  found,  and  three  were  taken  prisoners.  The 
captives  said  they  came  to  make  peace  and  not  to  fight.  We  rode  on  a 
hard  canter  for  five  miles,  until  a  wide  swamp  was  reached,  beyond  which 
the  retreating  Indians  were  seen.  Orders  came  to  plunge  in,  and  in  we 
went.  Horses  were  mired  and  the  men  too,  and  when  we  had  got  well 
into  the  trap — for  trap  it  was — we  were  surrounded  by  the  painted  devils, 
who  came  whooping  and  yelling  and  pouring  the  contents  of  their  muskets 
right  in  our  faces.  No  man  who  has  ever  heard  an  Indian  yell  will  won- 
der that  men  who  had  never  been  under  fire  became  panic-stricken.  An 
officer  in  the  rear  shouted  "Halt!"  and  then  came  the  word  to  retreat 
to  solid  ground.  We  did  so,  but  the  Indians  were  shooting  wickedly, 


PARTICIPANTS   SINCE   FAMOUS   IN   HISTORY.  109 

and  it  was  impossible  to  form  a  line.  As  fast  as  one  was  formed,  the 
demoralized  mob  behind,  covered  with  mud  and  mire,  would  break  through 
and  "streak  it"  as  fast  as  their  legs  permitted.  Captain  Barnes  came- 
up  and  did  his  best  to  rally  the  men,  but  in  vain.  "We  arrived  in  camp  at 
dark,  the  Indians  in  hot  pursuit,  yelling  and  firing  upon  us.  A  detach- 
ment of  "the  savages  got  in  our  front,  which  filled  our  men  with  greater 
terror  than  ever.  All  order  was  now  lost,  each  man  being  chiefly  inter- 
ested in  getting  off  with  his  scalp.  Mr.  Jones  and  a  man  named  Miner 
struck  up  the  creek  and,  in  crossing,  Miner's  horse  fell,  but  both  got  over 
safely  and  joined  Captain  Eads,  who  had  formed  some  of  his  men,  and  hav- 
ing reloaded  their  muskets,  felt  better.  The  Indians  were  everywhere, 
and  several  times  deluded  the  whites  by  crying  "Help!"  in  good  English, 
and  shooting  at  any  one  who  responded^  The  whites  dare  not  shoot  in 
the  dark  for  fear  of  killing  more  friends  than  foes,  and  so  the  rout  con- 
tinued until  Dixon  was  reached,  thirty-five  miles  away,  the  Indians  dog- 
ging the  retreating  army  at  a  distance,  and  watching  for  stragglers. 

Jones  reached  Dixon  the  morning  after  the  inglorious  action,  about  day- 
light, and  shared  the  same  blanket  with  Stillman,  who  remarked:  "Well, 
Sergeant,  the  war  has  begun,  and  the  Lord  knows  how  it  will  end!" 

Jones  credits  Stillman  with  being  a  brave  man  and  a  thoroughly 
skilled  tactician,  but  unable  to  manage  recruits  unused  to  military  re- 
straint, and  who  would  not  submit  to  discipline.  But  the  chief  cause  of 
this  shameful  defeat  and  flight  and  the  demoralization  of  the  entire  force, 
was  that  barrel  of  whisky. 

Our  soldiers  captured  three  Indians,  whom  they  shot  on  the  retreat 
while  prisoners,  an  act  of  barbarity  wholly  without  excuse  or  apology. 

While  .breakfasting  at  Dixon,  Mr.  Jones  met  at  the  sam^table  a  num- 
ber of  men,  some  of  whom  in  after  years  became  famous,  and  others  infa- 
mous in  the  history  of  the  country.  They  were :  Zach.  Taylor,  afteiward 
President  of  the  United  States;  Jeff.  Davis,  Chief  of  the  Southern  Confed- 
eracy; Gen.  Sidney  Johnson,  one  of  his  ablest  Generals ;  General  Atkinson, 
then  a  man  of  deserved  fame  as  a  good  soldier,  and  Major  Stillman,  the 
hero  of  the  inglorioiis  defeat  mentioned  in  this  chapter. 


INCIDENTS    OF   STILLMAN's   DEFEAT. 


The  baggage  train  of  Stillman's  army  consisted  of  six  wagons,  drawn 


110  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

by  oxen  and  guarded  by  fifty  mounted  Rangers,  commanded  by  Captain 
Hackleton.  Among  his  recruits  was  a  tall,  raw-boned  lad,  said  to  be  the 
homeliest  man  in  the  company,  and  answering  to  the  cognomen  of  "Abe." 
He  was  the  wag  of  the  command,  and  the  best  stoiy-teller  in  the  service. 
When  the  march  was  over  they  gathered  about  him  in  crowds,  and  list- 
ened to  his  wonderful  yarns  with  an  interest  that  never  slacked.  In  after 
years  it  was  his  fortune  to  command  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 
and  meet  his  death  at  the  hands  of  an  assassin.  With  such  spirit  of 
mischief  embodied  in  one  person  as  he  possessed,  fun  was  rife  in  the 
company,  and  Capt.  Hackleton  to  test  the  courage  of  his  command,  man- 
ufactured an  Indian  scare.  Having  made  his  plans  known  to  the  guards, 
with  a  few  trusty  fellows  he  repaired  to  the  brush  and  raised  a  terrific 
war-whoop,  while  the  pickets  fired  off  their  guns. 

The  whole  command  was  aroused,  and  the  men,  fearing  Indian  warriors 
had  attacked  them,  and  would  in  a  few  moments  be  in  their  midst,  cutting, 
slashing  and  scalping,  rushed  pell-mell,  swearing,  praying,  and  nearly 
frightened  out  of  their  wits,  to  the  rear,  where  a  guard  with  fixed  bayonets 
stopped  their  retreat,  explaining  the  joke.  The  surgeon  of  the  company 
mounted  his  horse,  but  forgot  to  untie  him  from  the  tree.  Under  the  spur 
the  animal  sprang  forward  the  length  of  the  rope,  and  then  back  again, 
striking  the  Doctor's  head  against  the  limb  of  a  tree.  Believing  himself 
strack  by  an  Indian,  the  frightened  surgeon,  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  in  sup- 
plicating tones  exclaimed :  "  Mr.  Injun !  I  surrender.  Spare  my  life ! "  This 
became  the  by- word  of  the  camp,  and  was  the  standing  joke  among  the 
heroes  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  for  years. 

"  In  the  night,  after  their  arrival  at  Dixon,  the  trumpet  sounded  a  sig- 
nal for  the  officers  to  assemble  at  the  tent  of  General  Whiteside.  A 
council  of  war  was  held,  in  which  it  was  agreed  to  march  early  the  next 
morning  to  the  fatal  field  of  that  evening's  disaster.  In  consequence  of 
the  ill-advised  and  misjudged  march  from  the  Prophet's  town,  the  waste- 
fulness of  the  volunteers,  and  leaving  the  baggage  wagons  behind  to  make 
a  forced  march  without  motive  or  necessity,  there  were  no  provisions  in 
the  camp,  except  in  the  messes  of  the  most  careful  and  experienced  men. 
The  majority  had  been  living  upon  parched  corn  and  coffee  for  two  or 
three  days.  But  Quartermaster  Thomas,  anticipating  the  result  of  the 
council,  went  out  in  search  of  cattle  and  hogs,  which  were  obtained  of 
Mr.  John  Dixon,  then  the  only  white  inhabitant  on  Rock  River,  above  its 
mouth.  By  this  means,  before  daylight  the  next  morning  the  army  was 


SHATJBENA'S  TIMELY  WARNING  UNHEEDED.  Ill 

supplied  with  fresh  beef,  which  they  ate  without  bread;  and  now  they 
began  their  inarch  for  the  scene  of  the  disaster  of  the  night  before. 
When  the  volunteers  arrived  there  the  Indians  were  gone.  They  had 
scattered  out  all  over  the  country,  some  of  them  further  up  Rock  River, 
and  other  toward  the  nearest  settlements  of  white  people. 

Soon  as  Black  Hawk  was  relieved  of  the  presence  in  his  front  of  the 
volunteers,  he  determined  on  a  general  slaughter  of  all  the  whites  north 
and  west  of  the  Illinois  River,  in  what  now  constitutes  parts  of  Marshall, 
Putnam,  Bureau  and  La  Salle  Counties.  Shaubena,  learning  that  such  fate 
was  in  store  for  all  the  settlers,  hastened  to  give  them  warning,  riding 
night  and  day,  and  calling  at  every  man's  cabin.  He  performed  his  often 
thankless  work  of  mercy  so  promptly  and  thoroughly  that  all  might  have 
escaped  had  they  heeded  his  advice  and  urgent  appeals.  He  appeared  at 
Indian  Creek  on  the  15th  of  May,  and  told  them  of  Black  Hawk's  pur- 
pose. Mr.  J.  W.  Hall  started  for  Ottawa  with  his  family,  but  at  the 
cabin  of  a  Mr.  Davis,  a  Kentuckian,  a  large,  powerful  and  resolute  man, 
he  was  persuaded  to  remain.  Here  were  also  gathered  the  families  of 
Davis  and  Pettigrew.  Davis  had  fled  to  the  block-house  fort  at  Ottawa 
the  year  before,  when  the  Indian  scare  occurred,  and  been  taunted  with  a 
want  of  courage  when  it  was  found  to  have  been  only  a  false  alarm. 
Rather  than  be  again  subject  to  a  suspicion  of  cowardice,  he  resolved  to 
stay  and  fight  the  Indians,  should  they  come. 

In  the  afternoon  of  May  20,  seventy  or  eighty  redskins  appeared  and 
began  an  attack  upon  these  almost  defenseless  people,  killing  fifteen  per- 
sons and  taking  prisoner*  two  girls, — Rachel  Hall,  aged  fifteen,  and  Sylvia 
Hall,  aged  seventeen,  the  details  of  whose  captivity  given  in  the  next 
chapter  are  mainly  taken  from  Matson's  "  Reminiscences  of  Bureau  County." 
"The  Indians  immediately  retreated  into  the  Winnebago  country, 
up  Rock  River,  carrying  the  scalps  of  the  slain  and  their  prisoners 
with  them.  Indian  wars  are  the  wars  of  a  past  age.  They  have  al- 
ways been  characterized  by  the  same  ferocity  and  cruelty  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians.  To  describe  this  massacre  is  only  to  repeat  what,  has  been 
written  a  hundred  times;  but  the  history  of  this  war  would  be  imperfect 
without  some  account  of  it.  The  Indians  approached  the  house  in  which 
the  three  families  were  assembled,  in  the  day-time.  They  entered  it  sud- 
denly, with  but  little  notice.  Some  of  the  inmates  were  immediately  shot 
down  with  rifles,  others  were  pierced  with  spears  or  despatched  with  the 
tomahawk.  The  Indians  afterward  related  with  infernal  glee  how  the 


112 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


women  squeaked  like  geese  when  they  were  run  through  the  body 
with  spears,  or  felt  the  sharp  tomahawk  entering  their  heads.  All  the 
victims  were  carefully  scalped ;  their  bodies  were  mutilated  and  mangled ; 
the  little  children  were  chopped  to  pieces  with  axes;  and  the  women  were 
tied  up  by  the  heels  to  the  walls  of  the  house ;  their  clothes  falling  over 
their  heads,  left  their  naked  persons  exposed  to  the  public  gaxe. 


THE   STORY    OF   THE   CAPTIVE    GIRLS. 


115 


CHAPTEK  XVII. 

CAPTIVITY    OF   SYLVIA   AND    RACHEL    HALL. 

story  of  the  captured  girls,  which  fitly  follows,  is  taken 
from  Matson's  "  Reminiscences  of  Bureau  County,"  and  is 
mainly  the  personal  narrative  of  Rachel,  the  elder  of  the 
two  sisters: 

"After  being  placed  on  horseback  and  guarded  by  two 
Indians,  who  rode  by  our  side,  holding  on  to  the  reins  of 
the  bridles,  we  commenced  our  long,  tedious  journey.  We 
rode  most  of  the  time  on  a  canter,  and  the  Indians  fre- 
quently looked  back,  as  though  they  were  afraid  of  being  followed  by 
the  rangers,  who  were  at  that  time  roaming  through  the  country.  We 
continued  to  travel  at  a  rapid  rate  until  near  midnight,  when  we  halted  to 
rest  our  horses.  After  waiting  about  two  hours,  we  continued  our  jour- 
ney, traveling  all  night  and  next  day  until  noon,  when  we  again  halted. 
Here  our  captors  turned  out  their  horses  to  graze,  built  a  fire,  scalded 
some  beans,  and  roasted  some  acorns,  of  which  they  off  ered  us  some  to 
eat,  but  we  declined  tasting.  We  remained  in  camp  a  few  hours ;  during 
that  time  the  Indians  were  engaged  in  dressing  the  scalps,  by  stretching 
them  on  small  willow  hoops.  Among  these  scalps  I  recognized  my 
mother's,  by  the  bright  color  of  her  hair.  The  sight  of  this  produced  in 
me  a  faintness,  and  I  fell  to  the  ground  in  a  swoon,  from  which  I  was 
soon  after  aroused,  in  order  to  continue  our  journey.  After  leaving  the 
camp  we  traveled  more  leisurely  than  before,  until  about  nine  o'clock  at 
night  we  reached  the  camp  of  Black  Hawk,  after  having  rode  near  ninety 
miles  in  twenty-eight  hours. 

"  We  found  the  Indian  camp  on  the  bank  of  a  creek,  surrounded  by 
marshy  ground,  over  which  were  scattered  burr  oak  trees,  being,  as  we 
afterward  learned,  near  the  Four  Lakes,  (now  Madison  City,  Wisconsin). 
"  On  our  arrival  in  camp,  a  number  of  squaws  came  to  our  assistance, 
taking  us  from  our  horses,  and  conducting  us  into  a  wigwam.  These 
squaws  were  very  kind  to  us,  and  gave  us  some  parched  corn  and  maple 
sugar  to  eat,  it  being  the  first  food  that  we  had  tasted  since  our  captivity. 


116  BECOKDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

"  Our  arrival  in  camp  caused  great  rejoicing  among  the  Indians.  A 
large  body  of  warriors  collected  around  ITS,  beating  on  drums,  dancing,  and 
yelling  at  the  top  of  their  voices.  Next  morning  our  fear  of  massacre  or 
torture  had  somewhat  subsided,  and  we  were  presented  with  beans  and 
maple  sugar  for  breakfast.  They  also  offered  us  coffee  to  eat,  which  had 
been  taken  from  Davis's  house,  not  knowing  that  it  required  to  be  ground 
and  boiled  before  being  used.  About  ten  o'clock,  the  camp  was  broken 
up,  and  we  moved  five  or  six  miles,  crossing  a  creek,  and  encamped  on 
high  ground,  which  was  covered  with  timber.  We  were  provided  with 
horses  to  ride,  and  behind  us  was  packed  camp  equipage,  which  consisted 
of  tents,  kettles,  provisions,  etc.  On  arriving  at  our  new  camp,  a  white 
birch  pole  was  stuck  into  the  ground,  on  which  were  hung  the  scalps  of 
our  murdered  friends,  being  exhibited  here  as  trophies  of  war.  About 
fifty  warriors,  who  were  divested  of  clothing  and  their  faces  painted  red, 
danced  around  this  pole  to  the  music  of  drums  and  rattling  gourds.  Eveiy 
day  during  our  stay  with  the  Indians,  this  pole  containing  the  scalps  was 
erected,  and  the  dance  repeated. 

"One  morning  a  party  of  warriors  came  to  our  lodge  and  took  us  out, 
placing  in  our  hands  small  red  flags,  and  made  us  march  around  the  en- 
campment with  them,  stopping  and  waving  the  flags  at  the  door  of  each 
wigwam.  After  this  we  were  taken  to  the  dance-ground,  by  the  side  of 
the  white  pole  containing  the  scalps,  and  by  the  side  of  which  a  blanket 
was  spread.  After  painting  our  faces,  one  half  red  and  the  other  black, 
we  were  made  to  lie  down  on  the  blanket,  with  our  faces  to  the  ground. 
The  warriors  then  commenced  dancing  around  us,  flourishing  their  toma- 
hawks and  war  clubs  over  our  heads,  and  yelling  like  demons.  We  now 
thought  our  time  had  come,  and  quietly  awaited  our  fate,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  our  last.  When  the  dance  was  over,  we  were  taken 
away  by  two  squaws,  who  we  understood  to  be  the  wives  of  Black  Hawk. 
By  these  squaws  we  were  adopted  as  their  children ;  although  separated, 
we  were  allowed  to  visit  each  other  frequently.  Each  day  our  camp  was 
moved  a  few  miles,  always  traveling  in  a  circular  route.  Along  the  trail, 
at  short  intervals,  the  Indians  would  erect  poles,  with  tufts  of  grass  tied 
on  one  side,  showing  to  the  hunters  in  what  direction  the  camp  could  be 
found.  Our  fears  of  massacre  had  entirely  disappeared,  being  adopted 
into  the  families  of  these  squaws,  not  being  required  to  do  any  work,  but 
watched  closely  to  prevent  our  escape. 

"  Some  days  after  our  arrival  in  Black  Hawk's  camp,  we  were  told  that 


THEIR    TREATMENT    BY    THE    INDIANS.  117 

we  must  go  with  two  Winnebago  chiefs,  who  had  come  for  us.  The 
sqiiaws  with  whom  we  lived  were  greatly  distressed  at  the  thought  of 
parting  with  us.  The  Winnebago  chiefs  tried  to  make  us  understand  that 
they  were  about  to  take  us  to  white  people,  but  we  did  not  believe  them. 
Thinking  they  intended  to  take  us  farther  from  home  and  friends,  we 
ching  to  the  squaws,  and  refused  to  go. 

"  Contrary  to  our  wish,  we  were  placed  on  horses,  behind  each  of  the 
chiefs,  and  with  us  they  galloped  away,  traveling  twenty  miles  that  same 
night.  The  chiefs  said  that  they  were  afraid  of  being  followed  by  some 
of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  who  were  displeased  at  our  departure.  Every  few 
moments  the  chiefs  would  look  back  to  see  if  they  were  pursued,  and  then 
whip  their  ponies  again  into  a  gallop. 

"Some  time  after  dark  we  arrived  at  the  Winnebago  camp,  where  we  re- 
mained over  night.  Early  next  morning  we  continued  our  journey,  trav- 
eling all  day,  when  we  arrived  at  an  encampment  on  the  Wisconsin  River, 
where  there  were  about  one  hundred  warriors.  During  next  day  a  party 
of  Sac  Indians,  dressed  in  the  clothes  of  murdered  white  men,  came  into 
camp.  These  Indians  commenced  talking  to  us,  but  the  Winnebago  chiefs 
told  us  to  turn  away  from  them,  and  not  listen  to  what  they  said,  which 
we  did." 

It  was  afterward  ascertained  that  a  petty  chief  who  had  captured  the 
girls,  was  off  on  a  hunt  at  the  time  they  were  given  up  to  the  Winnebago 
chiefs,  and  not  receiving  his  portion  of  the  ransom,  immediately  started 
with  a  party  of  warriors  to  retake  them,  or  kill  them  in  the  attempt. 
These  warriors  did  not  overtake  the  girls  until  they  arrived  safe  at  the 
Winnebago  camp. 

"White  Crow  asked  if  we  thought  the  whites  would  hang  them  if  they 
took  us  to  the  fort.  We  gave  them  to  understand  that  they  would  not. 
White  Crow  then  collected  his  horses,  and  with  Whirling  Thunder  and 
about  twenty  of  the  Winnebagoes,  we  crossed  the  river  and  pursued  our 
journey,  my  sister  and  myself  each  on  a  separate  horse.  We  encamped 
about  dark,  rose  early  next  morning,  and  after  a  hasty  meal  of  pork  and 
potatoes  (the  first  we  had  seen  since  our  captivity),  of  which  we  ate 
heartily,  we  traveled  on  until  we  reached  the  fort,  near  Blue  Mounds, Wis- 
consin Territory. 

"Before  our  arrival  there,  we  had  become  satisfied  that  our  protectors 
were  taking  us  to  our  friends,  and  that  we  had  formerly  done  them  injus- 
tice. About  three  miles  from  the  fort  we  stopped,  and  the  Indians 


118  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

cooked  some  venison,  after  which  they  took  a  white  handkerchief  which  I 
had,  and  tying  it  to  a  long  pole,  three  Indians  proceeded  with  it  to  the 
fort.'  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  there,  we  were  met  by  a  French- 
man. The  Indians  formed  a  ring,  and  the  Frenchman  rode  into  it,  and 
had  a  talk  with  our  protectors.  The  latter  expressed  an  unwillingness  to 
give  us  up  until  they  could  see  Mr.  Gratiot,  the  agent.  Being  informed 
by  the  Frenchman  that  we  should  be  well  treated,  and  that  they  should 
see  us  daily  until  Mr.  Gratiot's  arrival,  they  delivered  us  into  the  French- 
man's care. 

"We  repaired  immediately  to  the  fort,  where  the  ladies  of  the  garrison 
(who  in  the  mean  time  had  assembled)  received  us  with  the  utmost  ten- 
derness. We  were  thereupon  attired  once  more  in  the  costume  of  our  own 
country,  and  next  day  started'  for  Galena. 

"  On  reaching  a  little  fort  at  White  Oak  Springs,  we  were  met  by  our 
eldest  brother,  who,  together  with  a  younger  one,  was  at  work  in  a  field 
near  the  house  when  we  were  captured,  and  when  the  massacre  began, 
fled,  and  arrived  in  safety  at  Dixon's  Ferry.  On  leaving  Galena,  we  went 
on  board  the  steamboat  "Winnebago,"  for  St.  Louis,  which  place  we 
reached  in  five  days,  and  were  kindly  received  by  its  citizens  and  hospita- 
bly entertained  by  Governor  Clark.  Previous  to  our  leaving  Galena,  we 
had  received  an  affectionate  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Horn,  of  Morgan 
Coxinty,  Illinois,  inviting  us  to  make  his  house  our  future  home.  We  ac- 
cepted the  invitation,  and  left  St.  Louis  in  the  steamboat  "Caroline,"  for 
Beardstown,  on  the  Illinois  River,  where  we  arrived  on  the  third  day 
thereafter.  On  landing,  we  were  kindly  received  by  the  citizens,  and  in 
a  few  hours  reached  the  residence  of  Mr.  Horn,  five  miles  distant,  in  the 
latter  part  of  July,  1832,  when  our  troubles  ended." 

The  Misses  Hall's  brother  having  married  and  settled  in  Putnam 
County,  Illinois,  about  this  time,  he  invited  his  sisters  to  come  and  reside 
with  him.  They  did  so  in  the  fore  part  of  August,  1832.  The  elder 
Miss  Hall  afterward,  in  March,  1833,  married  Mr.  William  Munson,  and 
settled  in  La  Salle  County,  about  twelve  miles  north  of  Ottawa.  The 
younger  sister,  in  May,  1833,  married  Mr.  William  Horn,  a  son  of  the 
clergyman  who  had  so  kindly  offered  them  a  home'  in  his  family,  removed 
to  Morgan  County,  Illinois,  and  afterward  to  Nebraska. 

The  Misses  Hall  were  captured  May  21,  1832.  According  to  the 
foregoing  accoiint,  they  were  three  days  in  traveling  with  their  captors, 
and  continued  five  days  with  the  Sacs  at  their  camp.  This  would  bring 


FURTHER  OUTRAGES  BY  THE  SAVAGES.  119 

the  time  up  to  May  29.  They  were  five  days  more  in  traveling  with  the 
Winnebagoes  to  the  Blue  Mounds,  which  comports  with  all  the  reliable 
statements  of  the  time  of  their  being  delivered  up  to  the  whites,  which 
was  June  3,  1832. 

William  Munson,  who  became  the  husband  of  Rachel  Hall,  a  few 
years  ago  erected  a  beautiful  marble-  monument  at  the  grave  where  the 
fifteen  victims  were  buried.  It  is  in  view  of  the  public  road  leading  from 
north  to  south  in  Freedom  Township,  near  the  banks  of  Indian  Creek  and 
the  scene  of  the  massacre.  The  inscriptions  are:  First — "Wm.  Hall, 
aged  45;  Mary  J.  Hall,  aged  45;  Elizabeth  Hall,  aged  8."  Second  - 
"Wm.  Pettigrew,  wife  and  two  children,  -  -  Davis,  wife  and  five 

children,  and  Emery  George."     At  the  bottom,  "Killed  May  20,  1832." 

Mrs.  Munson  (Rachel  Hall)  died  May  1,  1870. 


OTHER   FIENDISH    MURDERS. 

For  some  days  after  the  massacre  at  Indian  Creek  the  terrified  settlers 
remained  close  around  the  Forts  at  Ottawa  and  Peru.  As  no  Indians 
were  seen,  the  whites  took  courage  and  sent  out  scouts  here  and  there. 
Those  who  had  hurriedly  left  their  homes  were  becoming  anxious  to  look 
after  their  stock  and  other  property  the  savages  had  spared.  For  this 
purpose  an  expedition,  accompanied  by  a  few  soldiers,  left  Ottawa  for 
Holderman's  Grove  and  Fox  River.  A  Mr.  Schemerhorn  and  his  son-in- 
law,  Hazleton,  went  up  to  Dayton,  on  Fox  River,  four  miles  north  of 
Ottawa,  and  crossing  there  to  join  the  expedition  referred  to,  discovered 
on  the  Dunnovan  farm  a  party  of  Indians,  and  turned  and  fled.  A  sol- 
dier who  had  lagged  behind  his  comrades  saw  them,  and  also  retreated, 
pursued  by  a  dozen  savages.  The  Indians,  for  fear  of  alarming  the  sol- 
diers, did  not  fire  their  guns,  but  threw  their  spears  at  him.  He  escaped 
to  Ottawa,  and  getting  help,  returned  to  find  Schemerhorn  and  Hazleton 
both  killed  and  scalped.  A  small  scalp  was  taken  from  Hazleton's  head, 
but  Schemerhorn  being  nearly  bald,  was  flayed  to  the  neck.  On  the  same 
day,  Capt.  James  McFadden,  commander  of  a  company  of  home  guards  in 
Ottawa,  James  Baresford,  and  Ezekiel  and  Daniel  Warren  were  picking 
strawberries  south  of  Indian  Creek.  They  had  been  thus  engaged  for 
some  time,  when  one  of  the  Warren's  remarked  that  they  were  too  near 
the  bushes,  for  Indians  might  be  concealed  there,  and  mounting  his  horse, 


120 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


rode  off.  The  others  remained  a  short  time,  when  a  shot  was  fired  from 
the  timber,  and  a  dozen  Indians  were  seen.  Baresford  was  killed  and  Mc- 
Fadden  shot  through  the  ankle,  the  bullet  passing  through  the  body  of 
his  horse,  but  the  faithful  animal  carried  his  wounded  master  beyond  the 
reach  of  Indians  before  it  fell.  The  Warrens  came  to  the  assistance  of 
the  wounded  man,  and  one  of  them  dismounted  and  gave  McFadden  his 
horse,  with  the  singular  agreement  that  if  the  Indians  pursued  and  were 
likely  to  overtake  the  man  on  foot,  McFadden  was  to  dismount  and  yield 
his  scalp  to  the  foe!  But  the  Indians  did  not  pursue,  and  the  three 
escaped. 


THE   MILITIA    CALLED    OUT.  121 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

CALL   FOR   VOLUNTEERS. 

\ Y  order  of  Governor  Reynolds,,  a  call  was  made  for  two  thou- 
sand additional  volunteers,  a  part  of  whom  were  directed  to 
rendezvous  at  Hennepin,  and  a  part  at  Beardstown.  The 
year  previous  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  had  com- 
missioned John  Strawn,  of  Putnam,  a  Colonel  of  Militia, 
and  he  was  now  ordered  to  assemble  his  command,  desig- 
nated as  the  Fortieth  Regiment  of  Mounted  Volunteers, 
and  rendezvouz  at  Hennepin  for  further  orders.  Word  was 
swiftly  sent  among  the  settlers  asking  their  immediate  at- 
tendance, and  in  obedience  to  the  request,  nearly  every  able-bodied  man 
presented  himself  for  enrollment.  Four  companies  were  quickly  organ- 
ized, commanded  by  Captain  Barnes,  Captain  Willis,  Captain  Hawes, 
and  Captain  Stewart — the  last  three  named  at  Hennepin,  and  the  first  at 
Columbia.  Captain  Thompson,  of  Putnam,  also  commanded  a  company. 
Sunday  morning,  May  20,  1832,  the  day  appointed  for  the  rendezvous, 
the  settlers  of  the  infant  colony  gathered  on  the  site  of  the  future  city  of 
Lacon,  then  without  a  single  inhabitant.  From  the  south  came  Babb  and 
Cassell  and  Easter,  and  from  the  north  the  Sawyers,  the  Forbes,  etc., 
while  from  the  immediate  vicinity  came  John  Wier,  the  Bullmans,  Wau- 
hobs,  Reeders,  Buckinghams,  Iliff,  Swan,  and  others;  but  Round  Prairie 
sent  the  greater  number,  with  Robert  Barnes,  then  in  the  prime  of  life,  as 
a  leader.  They  met  on  the  ground  where  the  Eagle  Mill  stands,  and 
Colonel  Strawn,  dressed  in  full  regimentals,  with  military  chapeau,  nod- 
ding plume  and  golden  epaulets,  formed  them  in  line,  and  assuming  a 
warlike  attitude,  addressed  them  as  follows : 

"  Ye  sons  of  thunder  !  Our  coxmtry  is  in  danger,  and  the  call  is  '  to 
arms ! '  The  great  chief  Black  Hawk,  with  ten  thousand  warriors  at  his 
back,  has  invaded  our  State,  defeated  our  armies,  and  slain  our  citizens ! 
Not  a  soldier  can  be  spared  for  the  defence  of  our  frontier,  and  the  safety 
of  our  homes  and  our  firesides,  our  wives  and  little  ones,  depends  upon 
ourselves.  Our  country  calls  for  volunteers.  As  many  of  you  as  are 


122  KECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

willing  to  enroll  yourselves  among  her  defenders  will  step  three  paces 
forward.  Halt!  The  next  thing  is  to  choose  your  officers,  and  all  who 
wish  to  present  themselves  as  candidates  for  Captain  will  step  forward. 
All  those  who  wish  Robert  Barnes  to  be  their  Captain  will  step  to  his  side, 
and  those  who  wish  -  -  to  lead  them  will  join  him." 

In  this  way  the  officers  were  elected,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  the  men  were  mustered  in  at  Hennepin.  The  force  thus  organized 
was  divided  into  detachments,  and  detailed  for  scout  duty.  A  close 
watch  was  kept  at  the  various  fords,  all  canoes  were  removed  from  the 
river,  and  a  vigilant,  active  search  for  Indians  kept  up  for  weeks.  They 
at  one  time  went  as  far  north  as  theWinnebago  Swamp,  but  as  a  general 
thing  service  was  confined  to  guarding  the  river  from  the  mouth  of  Crow 
Creek  to  the  mouth  of  the  Vermilion.  After  the  defeat  of  Stillman  the 
Indians  went  northward,  and  the  war  was  transferred  to  other  fields. 
There  being  no  longer  any  enemies  to  contend  with,  there  was  no  necessity 
for  keeping  the  men  in  the  field,  and  they  were  paid  off  and  mustered  out 
of  service  on  the  18th  day  of  June.  For  their  one  month  of  soldiering, 
each  volunteer,  and  all  who  could  "ring  in,"  received  at  the  hands  of  the 
Government  a  title  to  160  acres  of  land.  The  Putnam  County  volun- 
teers were  also  discharged. 

The  muster  rolls  of  a  portion  of  Captain  Barnes'  and  Captain  Hawes' 
companies  are  hereby  given,  copied  from  the  returns  in  the  War  Depart- 
ment, and  are  correct: 

Muster  Roll  of  the  Field  and  Staff  Officers  of  the  Fortieth  Regiment  of 
Mounted  Volunteers,  employed  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  by 
order  of  the  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  Militia  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  from  the  20th  day  of  May,  1832,  to  the  18th  day  of 
June,  1832,  the  day  of  disbandment: 


1.  John  Strawn,  Colonel. 

2.  William  Cowen,  Lieut.  Colonel. 

3.  Elias  Thompson,  Major. 


5.  Jeremiah  Strawn,  Qr.  Master, 
(i.  Peter  Barnhart,  Paymaster. 
7.  B.  M.  Hayse,  Surgeon. 


4.  Hemy  K.  Cassell,  Adjutant. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 


8?  Roland  Mosley,  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
9.  Richard  Hunt,  Surgeon's  Mate. 
10.  William  Myers,  Sergt.  Major. 


11.  Ward  Graves,  Drum  Major. 

12.  Michael  Reeder,  Fife  Major. 


MUSTER  ROLLS  OF  VOLUNTEERS. 


123 


Muster  Roll  of  Captain  Robert  Barnes'  Company  of  Mounted  Volunteers, 
belonging  to  the  Fortieth  Regiment,  Fourth  Brigade,  and  First  Division 
of  Illinois  Militia,  called  out  by  the  Governor  and  Commander-in- 
chief;  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  by  Colonel 
John  Strawn,  at  Columbia,  on  the  20th  day  of  May,  1832,  and  mus- 
tered out  of  service  at  Hennepin,  Putnam  Otmnty,  Illinois,  by  the  said 
Colonel  John  Strawn,  on  the  18th  day  of  June,  1832: 

COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 

Robert  Barnes,  Captain.  |  Wm.  McNeal^lst  Lieut.  |  JohnWier,  2d  Lieut. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 


1.  James  Dever,  Sergeant. 

2.  James  Hall,  " 

3.  James  N.  Reeder,  Sergeant. 

4.  Nathan  Owen, 


1.  Belisha  Griffith,  Corporal. 

2.  Wm.  Gallaher, 

3.  James  Harris, 

4.  H.  Buckingham,        " 


PRIVATES. 


1.  John  Kemp. 

2.  Joseph  Burt. 

3.  Joseph  Phillips. 

4.  Howell  Doddy. 

5.  Milton  Davis. 

6.  William  A.  Hendricks. 

7.  John  G.  Hendricks. 

8.  Samuel  Hawkins. 

9.  John  Darnell. 

10.  William  Burt, 

11.  William  Davis. 

12.  W.  W.  Davis. 

13.  John  Bird. 

14.  Elmore  Keys. 

15.  Robert  Bird. 

16.  William  Byrnes. 

17.  David  Hamilton. 


18.  Hiram  Barnhart. 

19.  William  Forbes. 

20.  Jordan  Sawyer. 

21.  Philip  McGuyre. 

22.  Samuel  Russell. 

23.  George  Easter. 

24.  Benjamin  Babb. 

25.  Peter  Barnhart. 

26.  Jacob  Smally. 

27.  Joshua  Bullman. 

28.  Robert  Ileff. 

29.  Elisha  Swan. 

30.  John  Johnson. 

31.  David  Stateler. 

32.  George  H.  Shaw. 

33.  Johnson  Edwards. 

34.  Henry  K.  Cassell. 


124 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


Muster  Roll  of  Captain  William  Hawes'  Company  of  Mounted  Volun- 
teers, belonging  to  the  Fortieth  Regiment,  Fourth  Brigade  and  First 
Division  of  Illinois  Militia,  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Strawn, 
called  into  service  by  the  Governor  of  Illinois,  and  mustered  out  of 
the  service  of  the  United  States  at  Hennepin,  on  the  Illinois  River, 
in  the  State  of  Illinois,*on  the  18th  day  of  June,  1832  : 

COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 

Wm.  Hawes,  Captain.  |  Jas.  Garvin,  1st  Lieut.  |  Wm.  M.  Hart,  2d  Lieut. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 


1.  Thomas  Gunn,  Sergeant. 

2.  George  Hiltebrand,  Sergeant. 

3.  Jacob  Greenwald,  Sergeant. 

4.  John  Hunt,  Sergeant. 


1.  John  Hant,  Corporal. 

2.  William  Kincaid,  Corporal. 
3'  William  Knod,  Corporal. 
4.  William  Lathrop,  Corporal. 


PRIVATES. 


1.  Hiram  Allen. 

2.  Julius  Stacey. 

3.  Thomas  Glenn. 

4.  Asel  Hannum. 

5.  Obed  Graves. 
(5.  Samuel  Glenn. 

7.  Reuben  Ash. 

8.  Abner  Boyle. 

9.  George  Dent. 
10.  Joseph  Ash. 


11.  William  Hart. 

12.  John  Loyd. 

13.  Christopher  Winters. 

14.  Hartwell  Healey. 

15.  Little  Neal. 

16.  Aaron  Whitaker. 

17.  Elias  Isaacs. 

18.  Garrison  Wilson. 

19.  Hosea  Stout. 

20.  George  Martin. 


LOCAL    DEFENCES. 


Soon  as  the  call  was  made  for  troops  the  settlers  began  building  block- 
houses, or  foils,  which  will  be  referred  to  more  in  detail  hereafter.  *The 
southernmost  of  these  in  the  county  was  situated  on  the  farm  of  James 
Dever,  at  the  lower  edge  of  Round  Prairie,  seven  and  a  half  miles  from 
Columbia.  It  was  about  eighty  feet  in  length  from  east  to  west,  and  seventy 
*Ford's  History  of  Marshall  and  Putnam  Counties. 


t 

MEASURES   TAKEN   FOR    LOCAL    DEFENCE.  125 

in  width ;  and  was  built  by  strongly  fastening  pickets  of  some  twelve  feet 
height  in  the  ground,  with  square  bastions  at  the  corners,  pierced  with 
port-holes  and  so  placed  as  to  rake  the  sides  of  the  fort,  in  case  of  attack. 
The  cabin  of  Mr.  Dever  was  inside,  and  tents  were  pitched  within  to 
accommodate  the  numbers  who  fled  there  during  the  season  of  alarm. 

About  twelve  miles  north-east  of  the  Dever  Fort,  and  four  miles  south 
of  Magnolia,  was  a  similar  protection  around  the  dwelling  of  Jesse  Rob- 
erts, Esq.,  where  seven  or  eight  families  gathered  for  safety;  and 
five  miles  east,  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Darnell,  near  the  "head  of  Sandy," 
was  another,  the  outpost  in  that  direction.  Several  forts  were  constructed 
on  the  Ox  Bow  Prairie — one  on  the  land  of  Ashael  Hannum,  where  Cale- 
donia now  stands ;  another  in  the  woods  within  a  few  miles,  at  Mr.  Boyle's ; 
and  a  third  around  a  large  barn  belonging  t«>  James  W.  Willis,  near  the 
site  of  Florid,  where  twenty-two  families  (including  a  hundred  small  chil- 
dren, one  having  been  born  there)  and  a  number  of  rangers  were  "forted" 
at  one  time.  This  station  was  called  Fort  Cribs,  from  the  number  of 
corn-cribs  in  and  about  the  building,  and  was  generally  in  command  of 
Captain  Stewart.  A  portion  is  still  standing. 

A  good-sized  block-house,  wel^  adapted  to  resist  a  siege,  was  erected 
on  Front  street,  in  Hennepin,  chiefly  of  the  timbers  of  Hartzell's  old 
trading-house;  and  a  smaller  one  at  a  little  distance  from  Granville,  on 
the  farm  of  Joseph  Warnock.  Still  farther  north  was  the  outermost  fort 
toward  the  scene  of  warfare  —  a  mere  picket  around  the  dwelling  of  Mr. 
John  Leeper.  There  were  no  defenses  of  the  kind  west  of  the  liver  in 
Putnam  County,  that  region  being  quite  or  nearly  deserted. 

In  that  part  of  the  county  which  was  thus  defended,  hostile  Indians 
were  very  rarely  seen;  and  it  is  believed  that  attacks  were  prevented 
solely  by  the  completeness  of  the  arrangements  for  protecti<  m  and  the  vig- 
ilance of  the  rangers.  Black  Hawk's  spies  were  occasionally  skulking 
about.  Two  were  noticed  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  near  Fort  Warnock, 
and  their  trail  followed  to  the  river.  Others — in  one  instance  a  consider- 
able company — were  seen  near  Hennepin;  but  the  savages  made  no  hos- 
tile demonstrations  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 


THE    MURDER    OF    PHILLIPS. 


On  the   17th  of  June,  Elijah  Phillips  was  murdered  at  the    Ament 
cabin,  sixteen  miles  north-west  of    Hennepin.      Along  with  J.  Hodges, 


126  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Sylvester  Biigham,  John  S.  Ament,  Aaron  Gunn,  James  G.  Foristal  and 
Zeba  Dinirnick,  a  lad  of  sixteen,  he  left  Hennepin  in  the  morning  to 
look  after  their  cattle,  now  running  at  large  on  the  prairie.  Arriving  at 
Ament's  cabin,  in  the  edge  of  the  timber,  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the 
present  town  of  Dover,  they  prepared  and  ate  their  dinners,  designing  to 
return  to  Hennepin.  Soon  after  it  began  to  rain,  and  as  no  Indian  signs 
had  been  seen,  it  was  deemed  perfectly  safe,  and  the  conclusion  was 
reached  to  remain  all  night. 

The  windows  and  doors  were  barricaded  with  puncheons,  and  the  men 
with  loaded  rifles  by  their  sides,  extinguished  the  lights  and  lay  down  to 
sleep.  Adjoining  Ament's  cabin  was  an  extensive  sugar  camp,  which  for 
nearly  fifty  years  a  band  of  Indians  had  run,  and  every  spring  made  sugar 
on  the  premises.  The  place  was  sacred  to  them,  and  when  the  white  man 
came  and  opened  a  farm,  it  created  bitter  feelings  of  resentment.  When 
Phillips  and  his  company  arrived  at  the  cabin,  a  party  of  Indians  from 
Black  Hawk's  camp  were  hiding  in  the  woods.  Cautiously  they  ap- 
proached to  reconnoitre,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  the  party  as  they 
came  out  of  doors,  but  the  rain  continued  to  fall,  and  the  party  deciding  to 
remain  all  night,  no  disturbance  came,  and  at  daylight  Phillips  rose 
first,  and  was  going  to  the  spring,  when  the  Indians  fired,  and  he  fell 
pierced  with  two  bullets.  The  savages,  with  deafening  yells,  rushed  from 
their  hiding  places,  tomahawked  the  victim,  and  surrounded  the  cabin. 
The  inmates  closed  the  door  and  made  ready  to  fire,  when  the  Indians  re- 
treated, and  as  subsequently  learned,  went  northward. 

After  remaining  on  the  watch  for  several  hours,  with  Phillips'  bloody 
corpse  at  the  door,  the  settlers  took  courage  and  canvassed  how  best  to 
extricate  themselves.  Young  Dimmick  volunteered  to  carry  the  news  to 
Hennepin.  It  was  a  desperate  undertaking,  for  the  Indians  were  sup- 
posed to  be  still  in  the  vicinity,  but  calling  a  horse  to  the  window  he  bri- 
dled and  mounted  it,  and  was  off  with  the  speed  of  the  whirlwind. 
Eager  eyes  watched  his  departure,  and  they  listened  with  beating  hearts 
for  the  expected  crack  of  the  rifle  that  should  tell  of  his  death.  But 
when  he  disappeared  in  the  distance,  still  safe,  they  took  hope  again. 

At  Hennepin  was  a  company  of  Rangers  being  mustered  out  of  ser- 
vice. None  dreamed  of  danger,  and  when  the  messenger,  hatless  and 
coatless, 

"  Bloody  with  spurring, 
Fiery  red  with  speed," 


A  PREACHER  MURDERED  AND  MUTILATED.  127 

rode  into  town  with  the  fateful  news,  it  created  an  excitement  those 
present  never  forgot.  As  usual,  a  variety  of  counsel  prevailed,  and  some 
were  so  base  as  to  propose  leaving  them  to  their  fate.  But  volunteers  be- 
ing called  for,  thirty  brave  men  responded,  and  were  quickly  ferried  across 
the  river  to  their  rescue.  A  gallop  of  fifteen  miles  brought  them  into  the 
vicinity,  when  a  slower  pace  was  struck  to  give  the  now  well  blown  horses 
a  breathing  spell,  preparatory  to  the  expected  sharp  work  ahead.  Belts 
were  tightened,  primings  looked  to,  and  every  preparation  for  deadly  con- 
flict made,  when  they  saw  a  white  flag  rise  above  the  cabin,  and  knew 
the  inmates  were  safe.  The  body  of  Phillips  lay  where  it  fell.  One  bul- 
let had  pierced  his  heart,  and  another  his  stomach.  Several  strokes  of 
the  tomahawk  were  visible,  but  the  villains  had  not  taken  his  scalp,  and 
the  remains  were  taken  to  Hennepin  and  buried.  His  body  was  prepared 
for  sepulture  at  the  house  of  Hooper  "Warren,  and  he  was  the  second  per- 
son interred  in  the  Hennepin  cemetery. 

The  Rangers  followed  the  trail  of  the  enemy  a  short  distance  and  then 
returned.  It  afterward  transpired  that  they  remained  in  the  vicinity 
until  the  next  day,  and  then  went  north. 


DEATH    OF    ADAM    PAYNE. 


Adam  Payne,  a  Dunkard  preacher,  who  had  for  many  years  been  a 
missionary  among  the  Indians,  became  a  victim  to  savage  barbarity  during 
the  fall  of  1832.  He  had  long  been  a  preacher  among  the  Indians,  was  a 
man  of  fervent  piety,  and  guileless  as  a  caild.  When  told  of  the  risks  he 
ran  and  warned  to  beware,  he  gave  no  heed,  believing  they  would  never 
harm  one  who  had  so  often  proven  himself  their  friend.  His  long  black 
beard  reaching  nearly  to  his  waist  gave  him  a  venerable  appearance,  and 
every  settler  was  his  warm  friend.  He  was  murdered  near  Holderman's 
Grove,  and  when  found  his  head  had  been  cut  off  and  stuck  on  a  pole, 
where  the  red  fiends  had  held  a  dance  of  jubilee  around  it. 


128  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

CONTINUATION    OF    THE    CAMPAIGN. 

•E  now  take  up  the  general  history  of  the  campaign.  While 
the  new  levies  were  being  raised,  a  volunteer  force  was 
made  up  for  temporary  service,  and  placed  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  f"ry. 

The  different  companies  of  this  regiment  were  so  dis- 
posed as  to  guard  all  the  frontiers.  Captain  AdamW. 
Snider  was  sent  to  range  through  the  country  between 
Rock  River  and  Galena;  and  while  he  was  encamped 
not  far  distant  from  Burr  Oak  Grove,  on  the  night,  of  the  17th  of 
June,  his  company  was  fired  upon  by  the  Indians ;  the  next  moi'ning 
he  pursued  them,  four  in  number,  and  drove  them  into  a  sink-hole  in  the 
ground,  where  his  company  charged  on  them  and  killed  the  whole  of 
the  Indians,  with  the  loss  of  one  man  mortally  wounded.  As  he  returned 
to  his  camp,  bearing  the  wounded  soldier,  the  men  suffered  much  from 
thirst,  and  scattered  in  search  of  water,  when  they  were  sharply  attacked  by 
about  seventy  Indians,  who  had  been  secretly  watching  their  motions  and 
awaiting  a  good  opportunity.  His  men,  as  usual  in  such  cases,  were  taken 
by  surprise,  and  some  of  them  commenced  a  hasty  retreat.  Captain  Sny- 
der  called  upon  General  Whiteside,  then  a  private  in  his  company,  to  as- 
sist him  in  forming  his  men.  The  General  proclaimed  in  a  loud  voice 
that  he  would  shoot  the  first  man  who  attempted  to  run.  The  men  were 
soon  formed  into  rank.  Both  parties  took  positions  behind  trees.  Here 
General  Whiteside,  an  old  Indian  fighter  and  a  capital  marksman  with  a 
rifle,  shot  the  commander  of  the  Indians,  and  they  from  that  moment  be- 
gan to  retreat.  As  they  were  not  pursued,  the  Indian  loss  was  never  as- 
certained; but  the  other  side  lost  two  men  killed  and  one  wounded.  Cap- 
'tain  Snyder,  General  Whiteside  and  Colonel  (now  General)  Semple  are 
particularly  mentioned  as  having  behaved  in  the  most  honorable  and 
courageous  manner  in  both  these  little  actions. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  the  new  levies  had  arrived  at  the  places  of  ren- 
dezvous, and  were  formed  into  three  brigades;  General  Alexander  Posey 


THE  MURDER  OF  ST.  VEAIN.  129 

commanded  the  First,  General  Milton  K.  Alexander  the  Second,  and  Gen- 
eral James  D.  Henry  commanded  the  Third.  On  the  march,  each  brigade 
was  preceded  by  a  battalion  of  spies,  commanded  by  a  major. 

The  whole  volunteer  force  at  this  time  amounted  to  three  thousand 
two  hundred  men,  besides  three  companies  of  rangers,  under  command  of 
Major  Bogart,  left  behind  to  guard  the  frontier  settlements.  The  object 
in  calling  out  so  large  a  force  was  to  overawe  the  Pottawatomie  and  Win- 
nebago  Indians,  who  were  hostile  in  their  feelings  to  the  whites,  and  much 
disposed  to  join  Black  Hawk's  party. 

But  before  the  new  army  could  be  brought  into  the  field,  the  Indians 
had  committed  several  murders.  One  man  was  killed  on  Bureau  Creek, 
some  seven  or  eight  miles  above  Princeton ;  another  in  Buffalo  Grove  ; 
another  between  Fox  River  and  the  Illinois ;  and  two  more  on  the  east 
side  of  Fox  River,  on  the  Chicago  road,  about  six  miles  north-east  of 
Ottawa. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  General  Atkinson  had  dispatched  Mr.  St.  Vrain, 
the  Indian  agent  for  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  at  Rock  Island,  with  a  few  men, 
as  an  express  to  Fort  Armstrong.  On  their  way  thither,  they  fell  in 
with  a  party  of  Indians  led  by  «  chief  well  known  to  the  agent.  This 
chief  was  called  "The  Little  Bear."  He  had  been  a  particular  friend  of 
the  agent,  and  had  adopted  him  as  a  brother.  Mr.  St.  Vrain  felt  no  fear 
of  one  who  was  his  friend,  one  who  had  been  an  inmate  of  his  house,  and 
had  adopted  him  as  a  brother,  and  approached  the  Indians  with  the  great- 
est confidence  of  security.  But  the  treacherous  Indian,  untrue  in  war  to 
the  claims  of  friendship  and  brotherhood,  no  sooner  got  him  in  his 
power  than  he  murdered  and  scalped  him  and  all  his  party,  with  as  little 
compassion  as  if  he  had  never  known  him  or  professed  to  be  his  friend. 

Not  long  after  the  new  forces  were  organized  on  the  Illinois  River, 
Black  Hawk,  with  a  hundred  and  fifty  warriors,  made  an  attack  on  Ap- 
ple River  Fort,  situate  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  the  present 
village  of  Elizabeth,  within  twelve  miles  of  Galena,  and  defended  by 
twenty-five  men,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Stone.  This  fort  was  a 
stockade  of  logs  stuck  in  the  ground,  with  block  houses  at  the  corners  of 
the  square,  by  way  of  towers  and  bastions.  It  was  made  for  the  protec- 
tion of  a  scattering  village  of  miners,  who  lived  in  their  houses  in  the 
vicinity  during  the  day,  and  retired  into  the  fort  for  protection  at  night. 
The  women  and  children,  as  usual  in  the  daytime,  were  abroad  in  the  vil- 
lage, when  three  men  on  an  express  from  Galena  to  Dixon,  were  fired  on 


130  RECORDS   OP   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

by  the  Indians  lurking  in  ambush  within  a  half  mile  of  the  village,  and 
retreated  into  the  fort.  One  of  them  was  wounded ;  his  companions  stood 
by  him  nobly,  retreating  behind  him,  and  keeping  the  Indians  at  bay  by 
pointing  their  guns  first  at  one  and  then  at  another  of  those  who  were 
readiest  to  advance.  The  alarm  was  heard  at  the  fort  in  time  to  rally  the 
scattered  inhabitants;  the  Indians  soon  came  up  within  firing  distance; 
and  now  commenced  a  fearful  struggle  between  the  small  party  of  twen- 
ty-five men  in  the  fort,  against  six  times  their  number  of  the  enemy.  The 
Indians  took  possession  of  the  log  houses,  knocked  holes  in  the  walls, 
through  which  to  fire  at  the  fort  with  greater  security  to  themselves,  and 
while  some  were  firing  at  the  fort,  others  broke  the  furniture,  destroyed 
the  provisions,  and  cut  open  the  beds  and  scattered  the  feathers  found  in 
the  houses.  The  men  in  the  fort  were  excited  to  the  highest  pitch  of  des- 
peration ;  they  believed  that  they  were  contending  with  an  enemy  who 
never  made  prisoners,  and  that  the  result  of  the  contest  must  be  victory 
or  death,  and  a  horrid  death,  too,  to  them  and  their  families  ;  the  women 
and  children  molded  the  bullets  and  loaded  the  guns  for  their  husbands, 
fathers,  and  brothers,  and  the  men  fired  and  fought  with  a  fury  inspired 
by  desperation  itself.  In  this  manner  the  battle  was  kept  up  about  fif- 
teen hours,  when  the  Indians  retreated.  The  number  of  their  killed  and 
wounded,  siipposed  to  be  considerable,  was  never  ascertained,  as  they 
were  carried  away  in  the  retreat.  The  loss  in  the  fort  was  one  man 
killed  and  one  wounded.  One  of  the  men  who  first  retreated  to  the  fort 
immediately  passed  on  to  Galena,  and  there  gave  the  alarm.  Colonel 
Strode,  of  the  militia,  who  commanded  in  Galena,  lost  no  time  in  march- 
ing to  the  assistance  of  the  fort,  but  before  his  arrival  the  Indians  had 
raised  the  siege  and  departed.  Galena  itself  had  been  in  imminent  danger 
of  attack ;  at  that  time  it  was  a  village  of  four  hundred  inhabitants,  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides  by  the  enemy.  Colonel  Strode,  like  a  brave  and  pru- 
dent commander,  took  every  possible  measure  for  its  defence. 

Even  here,  in  this  extremity  of  danger,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants 
yielded  their  assistance  unwillingly  and  grudgingly.  There  were  a  num- 
ber of  aspirants  for  office  and  command,  and  quite  a  number  refused  obedi- 
ence to  the  militia  commander  of  the  regiment;  but  Colonel  Strode  took 
the  most  effectual  mode  of  putting  down  these  discontents.  He  immedi- 
ately declared  martial  law;  the  town  was  converted  into  a  camp;  men 
were  forced  into  the  ranks  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet;  and  a  press  war- 
rant from  the  Colonel,  in  the  hands  of  armed  men,  procured  all  necessary 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PECATONICA.  133 

supplies;  preparations  for  defence  were  kept  up  night  and  day;  and  the 
Indian  spies  seeing  no  favorable  opportunity  for  attack,  no  considerable 
body  of  Indians  ever  came  nearer  the  town  than  Apple  River  Fort. 

About  this  time  a  band  of  Indians  visited  Fort  Hamilton,  near  what 
is  now  Wiota,  where  they  killed  three  men.  Fortunately  General  Dodge 
arrived  at  this  place  a  few  hours  later,  and  hastily  gathering  what  forces 
he  could — twenty-one  men  in  all, — pursued  the  aavages,  who  hastily 
retreated.  What  follows  is  best  told  by  Chas.  Bracken,  one  of  the 
actors,  and  if  he  still  lives,  a  resident  of  Mineral  Point,  Wis. 

"  The  Indians  re-crossed  the  branch  at  a  point  where  it  turned  abruptly 
to  the  north,  and  ascended  the  hill;  the  General  and  those  with  him 
crossed  after  them,  and  bore  to  the  right,  toward  some  timber,  as  if  to  cut 
them  off  from  it.  Seeing  this  movement,  I  halted,  and  was  at  the  same 
time  joined  by  Fitch,  Higgenbotham,  and  Deva.  I  said  to  them,  'That 
movement  of  the  General  will  turn  the  Indians  to  the  left;  if  you  will 
follow  me,  we  will  get  the  first  scalps.'  They  agreed  to  do  so;  turning 
up  a  hollow  to  the  left,  we  ascended  it  to  the  ridge  overlooking  the  East 
Pecatonica;  turning  then  to  the  right,  and  looking  down  a  hollow  parallel 
to  that  which  we  had  ascended,  my  surmise  proved  to  be  correct.  There 
were  the  Indians  approaching  us;  they  were  moving  at  what  might  be 
called  common  time.  Their  chief,  a  gray-headed  warrior,  was  walking 
backward,  and  appeared  to  be  earnestly  addressing  his  young  men.  After 
observing  them  for  a  few  moments,  we  fired,  but  I  think  without  effect. 
My  comrades,  after  discharging  their  guns,  retreated  down  the  hollow 
which  we  had  ascended,  and  I  turned  westwardly  up  the  ridge  overlook- 
ing the  East  Pecatonica,  keeping  out  of  gun-shot,  but  watching  the  enemy 
closely.  They  descended  the  hill  to  the  creek,  turned  up  it  a  short  dis- 
tance, and  commenced  crossing  at  some  willows,  a  short  distance  below 
where  the  bridge  now  stands. 

"At  this  movement  I  advanced  within  gun-shot;  with  the  report  of  my 
gun,  I  sent  forth  a  shout  that  told  the  General  and  my  comrades  yet  in 
the  rear  that  I  had  secured  the  first  scalp;  at  the  same  time  I  received 
the  fire  of  the  Indians  without  injury. 

"The  General  and  the  principal  part  of  our  men  having  come  up  by  the 
time  the  Indians  had  fairly  crossed  the  creek,  a  running  fight  took  place, 
the  enemy  being  on  one  side  of  the  creek  and  we  on  the  other,  until  they 
reached  the  thicket  in  the  bend  of  the  creek.  Having  effected  a  crossing 
at  the  old  Indian  ford,  which  is  near  Williams'  Mill,  and  marching  thence 


134  RECORDS   OK   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

up  the  stream,  we  formed  on  the  open  ground  to  the  north-east  of  the 
thicket,  so  as  to  have  the  enemy  in  the  bend  of  the  creek.  Parties  were 
then,  by  order  of  the  General,  thrown  out  on  the  hills  to  give  the  alarm 
if  the  Indians  should  attempt  to  escape  from  the  thicket  when  we  en- 
tered it. 

We  were  then  ordered  to"  renew  our  flints,  re-prime  our  guns,  unbutton 
our  shirt-collars,  and  tighten  our  belts.  All  being  ready,  the  General  ad- 
dressed us:  he  said,  "Within  that  thicket  are  the  foe,  whose  hands  are  yet 
reeking  with  the  blood  of  our  murdered  friends!  That  it  was  his  inten- 
tion to  enter  it,  and  in  doing  so,  some  of  us  must  fall ;  that  it  might  be  his 
fate,  but  that  his  mind  was  made  up  to  whip  the  enemy  or  die  in  the 
attempt !  If  any  feared  to  follow  him,  he  wanted  them  to  fall  back  then, 
and  not  when  they  encountered  the  Indians."  The  word  was  then  given 
to  advance,  and  in  that  little  band  no  one  was  found  who  did  not  fear  dis- 
honor more  than  death  !  No  one  faltered  or  wavered,  as  with  a  coolness 
becoming  veterans  they  followed  the  footsteps  of  their  gallant  leader, 
resolved  with  him  to  conquer  or  die. 

After  advancing  some  distance  into  the  thicket,  the  trail  of  the  enemy 
was  found;  here  the  detachment  was  joined  by  Daniel  M.  Parkinson,  who 
was  on  horseback.  The  center  was  ordered  to  keep  the  trail ;  we  then 
continued  our  advance  slowly  but  firmly  toward  our  hidden  foe.  The 
Indians  had  selected  a  most  advantageous  position  for  defense,  had  we 
fought  them  at  long  shot.  It  was  the  bank  of  a  pond,  once  the  bed  of  a 
creek ;  on  the  edge  of  the  bank  was  a  natural  breastwork  nearly  three  feet 
high,  formed  by  one  of  those  tumuli  so  numerous  in  our  prairies ;  under 
this  they  awaited  our  approach. 

When  they  fired  on  us,  our  positions  represented  two  sides  of  a  triangle, 
they  forming  the  base,  and  we  the  hypothenuse ;  although  we  were  close 
upon  them,  so  dense  was  the  thicket  that  we  could  not  see  the  smoke  of 
their  guns.  The  General,  who  was  on  the  right  of  the  centre,  and  in 
front  of  their  line,  exclaimed,  "Where  are  the  Indians?"  He  was  an- 
swered from  the  left,  "This  way."  The  order  was  then  promptly  given, 
"  Charge  'em  boys,  damn  them,  charge  'em!"  My  position  was  on  the  ex- 
treme right;  in  the  charge  we  obliqued  considerably  to  the  left;  when  I 
got  to  the  pond  I  found  no  enemy  before  me,  and  at  the  same  moment  I 
heard  the  General,  who  was  a  little  to  my  left,  say,  "There  's  an  Indian, 
kill  him!"  I  tiirned  toward  him  and  heard  a  shot;  as  I  came  up,  the  Gen- 


INSTANCES    OF    INDIVIDUAL    HEROISM.  135 

eral  said,  "There,  by  God,  I  Ve  killed  him  myself!"    This  was  the  Indian 
commander. 

"  Passing  on  to  the  left,  I  mounted  the  natural  embankment,  and  fonnd 
myself  in  the  midst  of  the  Indians  ;  after  discharging  my  gun,  I  turned  the 
breech  and  struck  at  a  warrior  I  saw  lying  /under  the  bank  before  me,  but 
seeing  another  very  industriously  snapping  his  piece  at  me,  I  fell  back  to 
reload.  As  soon  as  my  gun  was  charged  I  advanced,  with  the  brave  but 
unfortunate  Wells  on  my  left,  and  William  Cams,  of  Dodgeville,  on  my 
right.  On  coming  hand  to  hand  with  the  Indians,  Wells  fell  mortally 
wounded ;  Cams  first  shot  and  then  bayoneted  the  warrior  that  killed 
Wells,  and  I  put  another  in  a  condition  to  take  his  scalp.  At  the  same 
time  the  only  surviving  Indian  attempted  to  save  himself  by  flight;  he 
plunged  into  the  pond,  and  was  shot  as  he  got  out  of  the  water  on  the 
opposite  side. 

"Thus  ended  the  battle.  The  enemy  were  completely  exterminated ;  not 
one  was  left  to  tell  Black  Hawk,  his  chief,  and  warriors,  how  "  Old  Hairy- 
face"  (the  Indian  name  for  General  Dodge)  and  his  warriors  fought.  Our 
trophies  were  seventeen  scalps ;  our  loss  three  men,  Black,  Wells  and 
Morris  mortally,  and  Thomas  Jenkins  severely  wounded. 

"The  annals  of  border  warfare  furnish  no  parallel  to  this  battle ;  never 
before  was  an  entire  war  party  exterminated  with  so  small  a  loss  on  the 
part  of  the  whites,  when  the  numbers  engaged  were  so  nearly  equal.  Al- 
though on  our  advance  into  the  thicket  we  outnumbered  the  Indians  some 
five  men,  yet  the  advantage  of  their  position,  and  our  having  to  receive 
their  fire,  equalized  our  numbers. 

"None  of  us,  from  the  General  down,  had  ever  heard  a  hostile  gun,  or 
burned  powder  at  a  foe ;  the  men  had  been  promiscuously  assembled,  and 
were  untrained  soldiers ;  they  proved,  however,  by  their  gallant  conduct, 
that  American  volunteers,  when  individually  brave,  will  collectively  fol- 
low to  their  death  a  brave  and  determined  leader  in  whom  they  have,con- 
fidence. 

"There  were  individual  acts  of  devotion  and  desperate  bravery  per- 
formed, which  ought  to  have  immortalized  the  actors.  Our  surgeon,  Dr. 
Allen  Hill,  fell  into  the  line,  and  did  duty  as  a  private  soldier.  When 
the  sections  were  told  off,  his  lot  fell  number  four,  a  horse-holder;  num- 
ber five  in  the  same  section  was  a  sickly-looking  .yoiith  named  Townsend 
about  seventeen  years  of  age.  The  doctor  exchanged  places  with  him,  re- 


136  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

marking  that  he  thought  he  was  better  able  to  perfonn  a  soldier's  duty  in 
the  coming  fight  than  he  was. 

"In  the  charge,  Levin  Leach  encountered  a  warrior  armed  with  a  spear. 
Parrying  the  thrust  of  the  Indian  with  his  bayonet,  he  dropped  his  gun, 
sprang  on  him,  wrenched  his  spear  from  him,  and  with  it,  ran  him  through 
the  body." 

About  the  beginning  of  the  fight  each  man  took  a  tree — Indian  style. 
Thos.  Jenkins,  who  was  rather  portly,  got  behind  a  small  one,  and  when 
he  saw  an  Indian  aiming  in  his  direction,  drew  himself  up  sideways  as 
straight  as  possible.  But  the  tree  was  too  small  to  protect  all  parts  of 
his  body,  and  the  Indian's  bullet  hit  him  in  that  portion  of  his  anatomy 
where  honor  is  supposed  to  abide.  The  slightest  reference  to  being  shot 
in  the  rear  was  always  after  sure  to  provoke  his  ire. 

One  of  those  who  afterward  died  was  struck  in  the  head,  inflict- 
ing a  severe  scalp  wound,  but  by  no  means  dangerous.  There  was  no 
surgeon  in  the  fort,  and  a  long-legged,  tow-headed  young  man,  who  had 
been  studying  medicine,  took  the  case  in  hand,  prescribing  a  strong  poul- 
tice of  white  oak  bark.  He  did  not  improve  under  the  treatment,  and 
Dr.  Philleo  was  sent  for  from  Galena,  but  when  he  came  the  man  was 
past  surgery.  The  Doctor  said  that  any  old  woman  could  have  cured  him 
with  a  poultice  of  bread  and  milk,  but  the  bark  had  completely  tanned 
the  patient's  head.  The  new  doctor  aftei-ward  became  a  noted  physician, 
but  it  is  not  probable  he  again  prescribed  white  oak  bark  for  a  scalp 
wound. 


CAPTAIN  STEPHENSON'S  DESPERATE  SKIRMISH.  137 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A    VIGOROUS    CAMPAIGN    INAUGURATED. 

|  BOUT  this  time  Capt.  James  ~W.  Stephenson,  of  Galena, 
with  a  part  of  his  company,  pursued  a  party  of  Indians 
into  a  small,  dense  thicket  in  the  prairie.  He  commenced 
a  severe  fire  upon  them  at  random,  within  firing  distance 
of  the  thicket,  but  the  Indians  having  every  advantage, 
succeeded  in  killing  a  few  of  his  men,  and  he  ordered  a 
retreat.  Neither  he  nor  the  men  were  willing  to  give  up 
the  fight,  and  they  came  to  the  desperate  resolution  of  re- 
turning and  charging  into  the  thicket  upon  the  Indians.  The  command 
to  charge  was  given;  the  men  obeyed  with  ardor  and  alacrity;  the  Captain 
himself  led  the  way,  but  before  they  had  penetrated  into  the  thicket  twenty 
steps,  the  Indians  fired  from  their  covert ;  the  fire  was  instantly  returned. 
The  charge  was  made  a  second  and  third  time,  each  time  giving  and  receiv- 
ing the  fire  of  the  enemy,  until  three  more  of  his  men  lay  dead  on  the 
ground,  and  he  himself  was  severely  wounded.  .  It  now  became  necessary 
to  retreat,  as  he  had  from  the  first  but  a  small  part  of  his  company  along 
with  him.  This  attack  of  Captain  Stephenson  was  unsuccessful,  and  may 
have  been  imprudent;  but  it  equalled  anything  in  modern  warfare  in  dar- 
ing and  desperate  courage. 

The  Indians  had  now  shown  themselves  to  be  a  courageous,  active  and 
enterprising  enemy.  They  had  scattered  their  war  parties  all  over  the 
North,  from  Chicago  to  Galena,  and  from  the  Illinois  River  into  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Wisconsin ;  they  occupied  every  grove,  waylaid  eveiy  road, 
hung  around  eveiy  settlement,  and  attacked  every  party  of  white  men 
that  attempted  to  penetrate  the  country.  But  their  supremacy  in  the 
field  was  of  short  duration;  for,  on  the  20th,  21st  and  22d  of  June  the 
new  forces  assembled  on  the  Illinois  River  were  put  in  motion  by  General 
Atkinson,  of  the  regular  army,  who  now  assumed  the  command  over  the 
whole. 

Major  John  Dement,  with  a  battalion  of  spies  attached  to  the  First 
brigade,  was  sent  forward  in  advance,  while  the  main  army  was  to  follow 


138  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

and  concentrate  at  Dixon.  Major  Dement  pushed  forward  across  Rock 
River,  and  took  position  at  Kellogg's  Grove,  in  the  heart  of  the  Indian 
country. 

Major  Dement,  hearing  by  express,  on  the  25th  of  June,  that  the  trail 
of  about  five  hundred  Indians  leading  to  the  south,  had  been  seen  within 
five  miJes  the  day  before,  ordered  his  command  to  saddle  their  horses 
and  remain  in  readiness,  while  he  himself,  with  twenty  men,  started 
at  daylight  next  morning  to  gain  intelligence  of  their  movements.  His 
party  had  advanced  about  three  hundred  yards  when  they  discovered 
seven  Indian  spies;  some  of  his  men  immediately  made  pursuit,  but  their 
commander,  fearing  an  ambuscade,  endeavored  to  call  them  back.  In 
this  manner  he  had  proceeded  about  a  mile ;  and  being  followed  soon 
after  by  a  number  of  his  men  from  the  camp,  he  formed  about  twenty- 
five  of  them  into  line  on  the  prairie,  to  protect  the  retreat  of  those  yet  in 
pursuit.  He  had  scarcely  done  this  before  he  discovered  three  hundred 
Indians  issuing  from  the  grove  to  attack  him.  The  Indians  came  up 
firing,  hallooing  and  yelling  to  make  themselves  more  terrific,  after  the 
Indian  fashion;  and  the  Major,  seeing  himself  in  great  danger  of  being 
surrounded  by  a  superior  force,  slowly  retired  to  his  camp,  closely  pur- 
sued by  the  Indians. 

Here  his  party  took  possession  of  some  log  houses,  which  answered 
for  a  fort,  and  were  vigorously  attacked  by  the  Indians  for  nearly  an 
hour.  There  were  brave  soldiers  in  this  battalion,  among  whom  were 
Major  Dement  himself  and  Lieutenant  Governor  Casey,  a  private  in 
the  ranks,  who  kept  up  such  an  active  fire  upon  their  assailants,  and 
with  such  good  aim,  that  the  Indians  retreated  with  the  certain  loss 
of  nine  men  left  dead  on  the  field,  and  probably  five  others  carried  away. 
The  loss  on  the  side  of  the  whites  was  five  killed  and  three  wounded. 
Major  Dement  had  previously  sent  an  express  to  General  Posey,  who 
marched  with  his  whole  brigade  at  once  to  his  relief,  but  did  not  arrive 
until  two  hours  after  the  retreat  of  the  Indians.  General  Posey  removed 
next  day  a  little  to  the  north  in  search  of  the  Indians,  then  marched  back 
to  Kellogg's  Grove  to  await  the  arrival  of  his  baggage-wagons ;  and  then 
to  Fort  Hamilton,  on  the  Pecatonica. 

When  the  news  of  the  battle  at  Kellogg's  Grove  reached  Dixon, 
where  all  the  volunteers  and  the  regular  forces  were  then  assembled  un- 
der command  of  General  Atkinson,  Alexander's  brigade  was  ordered  in 
the  direction  of  Plum  River,- — a  short  stream  with  numerous  branches, 


BLACK    HAWK   PURSUED    NORTHWARD.  139 

falling  into  the  Mississippi  thirty-five  miles  below  Galena, —  to  intercept 
the  Indians  if  they  attempted  in  that  direction  to  escape  by  re-crossing 
the  river.  General  Atkinson  remained  with  the  infantry  at  Dixon  two 
days,  and  then  marched,  accompanied  by  the  brigade  of  General  Henry, 
toward  the  country  of  the  Four  Lakes,  farther  up  Rock  River.  Colonel 
Jacob  Fiy,  with  his  regiment,  was  dispatched  in  advance  by  General 
Henry,  to  meet  some  friendly  Indians  of  the  Pottawatomie  tribe,  com- 
manded by  Caldwell,  a  half-breed,  and  Shaubena,  the  war-chief  of 
the  nation. 

General  Atkinson  having  heard  that  Black  Hawk  had  concentrated 
his  forces  at  the  Four  Lakes  arid  fortified  his  position,  with  the  intention 
of  deciding  the  fate  of  the  war  by  a  general  battle,  marched  with  as  much 
haste  as  prudence  would  warrant  when  invading  a  hostile  and  wilderness 
country  with  undisciplined  forces,  where  there  was  no  means  of  procuring 
intelligence  of  the  number  or  whereabouts  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  30th  of  June  he  passed  through  the  Turtle  village,  a  consider- 
able town  of  the  Winnebagoes,  then  deserted  by  its  inhabitants,  and  en- 
camped one  mile  above  it,  in  the  open  prairie  near  Rock  River.  He 
believed  that  the  hostile  Indians  were  in  that  immediate  neighborhood, 
and  prepared  to  resist  their  attack,  if  one  should  be  made.  That  night 
the  Indians  were  prowling  about  the  encampment  till  morning.  Con- 
tinual alarms  were  given  by  the  sentinels,  and  the  whole  command  was 
frequently  paraded  in  order  of  battle.  The  march  was  continued  next 
day,  and  nothing  occurred  until  the  army  arrived  at  Lake  Kuskanong, 
except  the  discovery  of  trails  and  Indian  signs,  the  occasional  sight  of  an 
Indian  spy,  and  the  usual  abundance  of  false  alarms  amongst  men  but 
little  accustomed  to  war.  Here  the  army  was  joined  by  General  Alexan- 
der's brigade ;  and  after  Major  Ewing  and  Colonel  Fry,  with  a  battalion 
of  the  one  and  the  regiment  of  the  other,  had  thoroughly  examined  the 
whole  country  round  about,  and  had  ascertained  that  no  enemy  was  near, 
the  whole  force  again  marched  up  Rock  River  on  the  east  side,  to  the 
Burnt  Village,  another  considerable  town  of  the  Winnebagoes,  on  the 
White  Water  River,  where  it  was  joined  by  the  brigade  of  General  Posey 
and  a  battalion  of  a  hundred  men  from  Wisconsin,  commanded  by  Major 
(now  General)  Dodge. 

During  the  march  to  this  place  the  scouts  had  captured  an  old  blind 
Indian  of  the  hostile,  band,  nearly  famished  with  hunger,  who  had  been 
left  behind  by  his  friends  (for  want  of  ability  to  travel),  to  fall  into  the 


140  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

hands  of  his  enemies  or  to  perish  by  famine.  Being,  as  he  said,  old,  blind 
and  helpless,  he  was  never  consiilted  or  advised  with  by  the  Indians,  and 
could  give  no  account  of  the  movements  of  his  party  except  that  they 
had  gone  further  up  the  river.  One  historian  of  the  war  says  that  the 
army  magnanimously  conchided  not  to  kill  him,  but  to  give  him  plenty  to 
eat,  and  leave  him  behind  to  end  his  life  in  a  pleasant  way  by  eating  him- 
self to  death.  The  old  man,  however,  was  denied  this  melancholy  satis- 
faction ;  for  falling  in  the  way  of  Posey's  men  as  they  were  marching  to 
the  camp,  he  was  quickly  despatched,  even  before  he  had  satisfied  his 
natural  hunger.  This  barbarous  action  is  an  indelible  stain  upon  the  men 
of  that  brigade.  At  this  place,  also,  Captain  Dunn,  at  present  a  Judge 
in  Wisconsin,  acting  as  officer  of  the  day  of  one  of  the  regiments,  was  shot 
by  a  sentinel,  and  dangerously  wounded. 

Up  to  the  time  of  reaching  the  Burnt  Village,  the  progress  of  the  com- 
mand had  been  slow  and  uncertain.  The  country  was  comparatively  an 
unexplored  wilderness  of  forest  and  prairie.  None  in  the  command  had 
ever  been  through  it.  A  few,  who  professed  to  know  something  of  it, 
volunteered  to  act  as  guides,  and  succeeded  in  electing  themselves  to  be 
military  advisers  to  the  commanding  General.  The  members  of  the  hos- 
tile party  were  unknown;  and  a  few  Wiunebagoes  who  followed  the 
camp,  and  whose  fidelity  was  of  a  very  doubtful  character,  were  from 
necessity  much  listened  to,  but  the ,  intelligence  received  from  them  was 
always  delusive.  Short  marches,  frequent  stoppages,  and  explorations 
always  unsatisfactory,  were  the  result,  giving  the  enemy  time  to  elude  the 
pursuing  forces,  and  eveiy  opportunity  of  ascertaining  their  probable 
movements  and  intentions. 

The  evening  the  army  arrived  at  the  Burnt  Village,  Captain  Early, 
with  his  company  of  spies,  returned  from  a  scout  and  reported  the  main 
trail  of  the  Indians,  not  two  hours  old,  to  be  three  miles  beyond.  It  was 
determined  to  pursue  rapidly  next  morning.  At  an  early  hour  next  day, 
before  the  troops  were  ready  to  march,  two  regular  soldiers,  fishing  in  the 
river  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  camp,  were  fired  upon  by  two 
Indians  from  the  opposite  shore,  and  one  of  them  dangerously  wounded. 
A  part  of  the  volunteers  were  immediately  marched  up  the  river  in  the 
direction  indicated  by  Captain  Early,  and  Colonel  Fry's  regiment,  with 
the  regulars,  were  left  behind  to  construct  bridges  and  cross  to  the  point 
from  which  the  Indians  had  shot  the  regular  soldier.  A  march  of  fifteen 
miles  up  and  across  the  river  (fordable  above),  proved  Captain  Early's 


THE    BAD    LANDS    OF    WISCONSIN.  141 

report  to  be  incorrect.  No  trail  was  discoverable.  On  crossing  the  river, 
the  troops  entered  upon  the  trembling  lands,  which  are  immense  flats  of 
turf,  extending  for  miles  in  every  direction,  from  six  inches  to  a  foot  in 
thickness,  resting  upon  water  and  beds  of  quicksand.  A  troop,  or  even  a 
single  horseman  passing  over,  produced  an  undulating  and  quivering  mo- 
tion of  the  land,  from  which  it  gets  its  name.  Although  the  surface  is 
quite  dry,  yet  there  is  no  difficulty  in  procuring  plenty  of  water  by  cut- 
ting an  opening  through  the  stratum  of  turf.  The  horses  would  some- 
times, on  the  thinner  portions,  force  a  foot  through,  and  fall  to  the  shoulder 
or  ham;  yet  so  great  is  the  tenacity  of  the  upper  surface,  that  in  no  in- 
stance was  there  any  trouble  in  getting  them  out.  In  some  places  the 
weight  of  the  earth  forces  a  stream  of  water  upward,  which  carrying  with 
it  and  depositing  large  quantities  of  sand,  forms  a  mound.  The  mound, 
increasing  in  weight  as  it  enlarges,  increases  the  pressure  upon  the  water 
below,  presenting  the  novel  sight  of  a  fountain  in  the  prairie  pouring 
its  stream  down  the  side  of  a  mound,  then  to  be  absorbed  by  the  sand  and 
returned  to  the  waters  beneath. 

Discovering  no  sign  of  an  enemy  in  this  direction,  the  detachment  fell 
back  to  the  Burnt  Village,  and  the  bridges  not  being  yet  completed,  it  was 
determined  to  throw  over  a  small  force  on  rafts  the  next  day.  The  Win- 
nebagoes  had  assured  the  General  that  the  shore  beyond  was  a  large 
island,  and  that  the  whole  of  Black  Hawk's  forces  were  fortified  on  it.  In 
consequence  of  this  information,  Captain  Early's  company  were  crossed 
on  rafts,  followed  and  supported  by  two  companies  of  regulars,  under 
Captain  Noel  of  the  army,  which  last  were  formed  in  order  across  the 
island,  while  Captain  Early  proceeded  to  scour  it,  reporting  afterward  at 
headquarters  that  he  had  found  the  trail  of  a  large  body  of  Indians ;  but 
Col.  William  S.  Hamilton,- having  crossed  the  main  river  three  miles  below 
with  a  party  of  Menominies,  reported  the  trail  of  the  whole  tribe  on  the 
main  west  shore,  about  ten  days  old,  proceeding  northward ;  and  it  was 
afterward  ascertained  that  no  sign  had  been  seen  upon  the  island  but  that 
of  the  two  Indians  who  had  fired  upon  the  regular  soldiers. 

Eight  weeks  had  now  been  wasted  in  fruitless  search  for  the  enemy, 
and  the  commanding  General  seemed  further  from  the  attainment  of  his 
object  than  when  the  second  requisition  of  troops  was  organized.  At  that 
time  Posey  and  Alexander  commanded  each  a  thousand  men,  Henry  took 
the  field  with  twelve  hundred  and  sixty-two,  and  the  regular  force  under 
Colonel  Taylor,  now  Major  General,  amounted  to  four  hundred  and  fifty 


142  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

more.  By  this  time  the  volunteer  force  was  reduced  nearly  one-half. 
Many  had  entered  the  service  for  mere  pastime,  and  a  desire  to  partici- 
pate in  the  excellent  fun  of  an  Indian  campaign,  looked  upon  as  a  frolic ; 
and  certainly  but  few  volunteered  with  well-defined  notions  of  the 
fatigues,  delays  and  hardships  of  an  Indian  war  in  an  unsettled  and  un- 
known country.  The  tedious  marches,  exposure  to  the  weather,  loss  of 
horses,  sickness,  forced  submission  to  command,  and  disgust  at  the  unex- 
pected hardships  and  privations  of  a  soldier's  life,  produced  rapid  reduc- 
tions in  the  numbers  of  every  regiment.  The  great  distance  from  the 
base  of.  operations ;  the  difficulties  of  transportation,  either  by  water  or 
land,  making  it  impossible  at  any  time  to  have  more  than  twelve  days' 
provisions  beforehand,  still  further  curtailed  the  power  of  the  command- 
ing General.  Such  was  the  wastefulness  of  the  volunteers,  that  they 
were  frequently  one  or  two  days  short  of  provisions  before  new  supplies 
could  be  furnished. 

At  this  time  there  were  not  more  than  four  days'  rations  in  the  hands 
of  the  commissary;  the  enemy  might  be  weeks  in  advance;  the  volun- 
teers were  fast  melting  away,  but  the  regular  infantry  had  not  lost  a  man. 
To  counteract  these  difficulties,  General  Atkinson  found  it  necessary  to 
disperse  his  command,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  supplies. 


A   NEW    DISPOSITION    OF    THE    FORCES.  143 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE    CAMPAIGN    RESUMED. 

j  CCORDING  to  previous  arrangements,  the  several  brigades 
took  up  their  lines  of  march  on  the  1  Oth  of  July,  for  their 
respective  destinations.  Colonel  Ewing's  regiment  was 
sent  back  to  Dixon  as  an  escort  for  Captain  Dunn,  who  was 
supposed  to  be  mortally  wounded ;  General  Posey  marched 
to  Fort  Hamilton,  on  the  Pecatonica,  as  a  guard  to  the 
frontier  country.  Henry,  Alexander  and  Dodge,  with  their 
commands,  were  sent  to  Fort  Winnebago,  situate  at  the 
Portage  between  the  Fox  and  the  Wisconsin  Rivers;  while  General  Atkin- 
son himself  fell  back  with  the  regular  forces  near  to  Lake  Koshkonong, 
and  erected  a  fort,  which  he  called  by  the  name  of  the  lake.  There  he 
was  to  remain  until  the  volunteer  Generals  could  return  with  supplies. 
Henry  and  Alexander  made  Fort  Winnebago  in  three  days,  Major  Dodge 
having  preceded  them  a  few  hours  by  a  forced  march,  which  so  fatigued 
and  crippled  his  horses  that  many  of  them  were  unable  to  continue  the 
campaign.  Their  route  had  been  in  a  direct  line,  a  distance  of  eighty  miles, 
through  a  country  which  was  remarkably  swampy  and  difficult.  On  the 
night  of  the  12th  of  July  a  stampede  occurred  among  the  horses.  This  is 
a  general  wild  alarm,  the  whole  body  of  them  breaking  loose  from  their 
fastenings,  and  coursing  over  the  prairie  at  full  speed.  By  this  means  a 
hundred  or  more  of  them  were  lost  or  destroyed  in  the  swamps,  or  on  a 
log  causeway  three  miles  in  length,  near  the  fort. 

Two  days  were  occupied  at  the  fort  in  getting  provisions ;  on  the  last 
of  which  the  Winnebago  chiefs  there  reported  that  Black  Hawk  and  his 
forces  were  encamped  at  the  Manitou  village,  thirty-five  miles  above  Gen- 
eral Atkinson,  on  Rock  River.  In  a  council  held  between  Alexander, 
Henry  and  Dodge,  it  was  detennined  to  violate  orders  by  marching 
directly  to  the  enemy,  with  the  hope  of  taking  him  by  surprise,  or  at 
least  piitting  him  between  them  and  General  Atkinson,  thus  cutting  off 
his  further  retreat  to  the  north.  Twelve  o'clock  on  the  15th  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  hour  to  march.  General  Henry  proceeded  at  once  to  reor- 


144  RECOBDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

ganize  his  brigade,  with  a  view  to  disencumber  himself  of  his  sick  and 
dismounted  men,  that  as  little  as  possible  might  impede  the  celerity  of 
his  march.  General  Alexander  soon  announced  that  his  men  were  un- 
willing, and  had  refused  to  follow ;  and  Major  Dodge  reported  his  horses 
so  much  disabled  by  their  late  march  that  ^he  could  not  muster  a  force 
worth  taking  along.  General  Henry  was  justly  indignant  at  the  insubor- 
dination and  defection  of  his  companions  in  arms,  and  announced  his  pur- 
pose to  march  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  alone,  if  he  could  prevail  upon  but 
fifty  men  to  follow  him.  But  directly  after  this  a  company  of  mounted 
volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Craig,  from  Apple  River  and 
Galena,  in  Illinois,  with  fresh  horses,  arrived  at  Fort  Winnebago  to  join 
Major  Dodge's  battalion,  which  now  made  his  force  of  men  and  horses  fit 
for  service  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  the  whole.  General  Henry's  brig- 
ade, exclusive  of  Dodge's  battalion,  amounted  to  between  five  and  six 
hundred  men,  but  not  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  had  horses  fit  for 
service. 

From  this  place  General  Henry  took  up  his  line  of  march  on  the  15th 
of  July,  accompanied  by  Poquette,  a  half-breed,  and  the  "White  Pawnee," 
a  Winnebago  chief,  as  guides,  in  quest  in  the  Indians.  On  the  route  to 
the  head  waters  of  Rock  River  he  was  frequently  thrown  from  a  direct 
line  by  intervening  swamps  extending  for  miles.  Many  of  them  were 
crossed,  but  never  without  difficulty  and  loss  of  horses.  After  three  days' 
hard  marching,  his  forces  encamped  upon  the  beautiful  stream  of  Rock 
River.  This  river  is  not  exceeded  by  any  other  in  natural  beauty.  Its 
waters  are  clear;  its  bottom  and  banks  rocky  or  pebbly.  The  country  on 
each  side  is  either  rolling,  rich  prairie,  or  hills  crowned  with  forests  free 
from  undergrowth,  and  its  cun-ent  sweeps  to  the  Mississippi,  deep  and 
bold.  Here  three  Winnebagoes  gave  intelligence  that  Black  Hawk  was 
encamped  at  Cranberry  Lake,  further  up  the  river.  Relying  upon  this 
information,  it  was  settled  by  General  Henry  to  make  a  forced  march  in 
that  direction  the  next  morning.  Doctor  Merryman,  of  Springfield,  and 
W.  W.  Woodbridge,  of  Wisconsin,  were  despatched  as  expresses  to  Gen- 
eral Atkinson.  They  were  accompanied  by  a  chief  called  Little  Thunder, 
as  guide ;  and  having  started  about  dark,  and  proceeded  on  their  perilous 
roxite  about  eight  miles  to  the  south-west,  they  came  upon  the  fresh  main 
trail  of  the  enemy,  endeavoring  to  escape  by  way  of  the  Four  Lakes  across 
the  Wisconsin  River. 

At  the  sight  of  the  trail  the  Indian  guide  was  struck  Avith  terror,  and 


TREACHEROUS    GUIDES A    FORCED    MABCIL  145 

without  permission  retreated  back  to  the  camp.  Merriman  and  Wood- 
bridge  returned  also,  but  not  until  Little  Thunder  had  announced  his  dis- 
covery in  the  Indian  tongue  to  his  countrymen,  who  were  in  the  very  act 
of  making  their  escape  when  they  were  stopped  by  Maj.  Murray  McCon- 
nell,  and  taken  to  the  tent  of  General  Henry,  to  whom  they  confessed 
that  they  had  come  into  camp  only  to  give  false  information,  and  favor 
the  retreat  of  the  Indians ;  and  then,  to  make  amends  for  their  perfidy, 
and  perhaps,  as  they  were  led  to  believe,  to  avoid  immediate  death,  they 
disclosed  all  they  knew  of  Black  Hawk's  movements.  General  Henry 
prudently  kept  the  treachery  of  these  Indians  a  secret  from  his  men,  for 
it  would  have  taken  all  his  influence  and  that  of  all  his  officers  to  save 
their  lives  if  their  perfidious  conduct  had  been  known  throughout  the 
camp. 

The  next  morning  (July  19)  by  daylight,  everything  was  ready  for  a 
forced  march,  but  first  another  express  was  despatched  to  General  Atkin- 
son. All  cumbrous  baggage  was  thrown  away.  The  tents  and  most  of 
the  camp  equipage  were  left  in  a  pile  in  the  wilderness.  Many  of  the 
men  left  their  blankets  and  all  their  clothes  except  the  suit  they  wore, 
and  this  was  the  case  in  every  instance  with  those  who  had  been  so  un- 
fortunate as  to  lose  their  horses.  Such  as  these  took  their  guns,  ammuni- 
tion and  provisions  upon  their  backs,  and  traveled  over  mountain  and 
plain,  through  swamp  and  thicket,  and  kept  up  with  the  men  on  horse- 
back. All  the  men  now  marched  with  a  better  spirit  than  usual.  The 
sight  of  the  broad,  fresh  trail  inspired  eveiy  one  with  a  lively  hope  of 
bringing  the  war  to  a  speedy  end ;  and  even  the  horses  seemed  to  share 
somewhat  in  the  general  ardor.  There  was  no  murmuring,  there  was  no 
excuse  or  complaining,  and  none  on  the  sick  report.  The  first  day,  in  the 
afternoon,  they  were  overtaken  by  one  of  those  storms  common  on  the 
prairies,  black  and  terrific,  accompanied  by  torrents  of  rain  and  the  most 
fearful  lightning  and  thunder;  but  the  men  dashed  on  through  thickets 
almost  impenetrable  and  swamps  almost  impassable,  and  that  day  marched 
upwards  of  fifty  miles.  During  this  day's  march,  General  Hemy,  Major 
McConnell  and  others  of  the  General's  staff  often  dismounted  and 
marched  on  foot,  giving  their  horses  to  tue  footmen. 

That  night  the  storm  raged  till  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The 
men,  exhausted  with  fatigue,  threw  themselves  supperless  upon  the  muddy 
earth,  covered  with  water,  for  a  little  rest.  The  rain  made  it  impossible 
to  kindle  a  fire  or  to  cook,  so  that  both  officers  and  men  contented  them- 


140  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

selves  with  eating  some  raw  meat  and  some  of  the  wet  flour  which  they 
earned  in  their  sacks,  and  which  was  converted  into  a  soft  dough  by  the 
drenching  rains.  A  similar  repast  served  them  next  morning  for  break- 
fast. The  horses  had  fared  but  little  better  than  the  men.  The  Govern- 
ment furnished  nothing  for  them  to  eat,  and  they  were  obliged  to  subsist 
that  night  upon  a  scanty  grazing,  confined  within  the  limits  of  the  camp. 

Next  morning  (July  20)  the  storm  had  abated,  and  all  were  on  the 
march  by  daylight,  and  after  a  march  as  hard  as  that  on  the  day  before, 
the  army  encamped  at  night  upon  the  banks  of  one  of  the  four  lakes  form- 
ing the  source  of  the  Catfish  River  in  Wisconsin,  and  near  the  place  where 
the  Indians  had  encamped  the  previous  night.  At  this  place  the  men 
were  able  to  make  fires  and  cook  their  suppers,  and  this  they  did  with  a 
hearty  good  will,  having  traveled  about  one  hundred  miles  without  tast- 
ing anything  but  raw  food,  and  without  having  seen  a  spark  of  fire.  That 
night  they  again  laid  upon  the  ground,  many  of  them  with  .nothing  but 
the  sky  for  a  covering,  and  slept  soundly  and  sweetly,  like  men  upon  their 
beds  at  home.  All  were  in  fine  spirits  and  high  expectation  of  overtak- 
ing the  Indians  next  day,  and  putting  an  end  to  the  war  by  a  general  bat- 
tle. The  night  did  not  pass,  however,  without  an  alarm.  One  of  the 
sentinels  posted  near  the  bank  of  the  lake  fired  upon  an  Indian  gliding  in 
his  canoe  slyly  and  steathily  to  the  shore.  Every  man  was  aroused  and 
under  aims  in  an  instant,  but  nothing  followed  to  continue  the  alarm.  A 
small  black  speck  could  be  seen  by  aid  of  the  star-light  on  the  surface  of 
the  lake,  but  no  enemy  was  visible. 

This  day's  march  was  still  harder  than  any  which  preceded  it.  The 
men  on  foot  were  forced  into  a  run  to  keep  up  with  the  advancing  horse- 
men. The  men  on  horseback  carried  their  arms  and  baggage  for  them  by 
turns. 

Major  William  Lee  D.  Ewing  (since  a  Major  General)  commanded  the 
spy  battalion,  and  with  him  was  joined  the  battalion  of  Major  Dodge,  of 
Wisconsin.  These  two  officers,  with  their  commands,  were  in  the  ad- 
vance; but  with  all  their  ardor  they  were  never  able  to  get  out  of  sight  of 
the  main  body.  General  Henry,  who  remained  with  the  main  body,  dis- 
patched Major  McConnell  with  the  advance  guard,  so  as  to  get  the  earliest 
intelligence  of  any  unusual  occurrence  in  front.  About  noon  of  this  day 
the  advance  guard  was  close  upon  the  rear  guard  of  the  retreating  enemy. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we  have  no  account  of  the  management,  the 
perils,  and  hair-breadth  escapes  of  the  Indians  in  conducting  their  retreat. 


A    RAPID    RETREAT    AND    VIGOROUS   PURSUIT.  147 

All  that  we  know  is  that  for  many  miles  before  they  were  overtaken  their 
broad  trail  was  strewn  with  camp  kettles  and  baggage  of  various  kinds, 
which  they  had  thrown  away  in  the  hurry  of  their  flight.  The  sight  of 
these  articles  encouraged  Henry's  men  to  press  forward,  hoping  soon  to 
put  an  end  to  this  vexatious  border  war  which  had  so  much  disturbed  the 
peace  of  our  Northern  settlements.  About  noon,  also,  the  scouts  ahead 
came  suddenly  upon  two  Indians,  and  as  they  were  attempting  to  escape 
one  of  them  was  killed  and  left  dead  on  the  field.  Dr.  Addison  Philleo 
coming  along  shortly  after,  scalped  this  Indian,  and  for  a  long  time  after- 
ward exhibited  this  scalp  as  evidence  of  his  valor.  Shortly  after  this  the 
rear  guard  of  the  Indians  began  to  make  feint  stands,  as  if  to  bring  on  a 
battle.  In  doing  so,  their  design  was  merely  to  gain  time  for  the  main 
body  to  secure  a  more  advantageous  position.  A  few  shots  would  be  ex- 
changed,  and  the  Indians  would  then  push  ahead,  while  the  pursuing 
force  would  halt  to  form  in  the  order  of  battle.  In  this  way  the  Indians 
were  able  to  Teach  the  broken  ground  on  the  bluffs  of  the  Wisconsin 
River  by  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  before  they  were  overtaken. 

About  this  time,  while  the  advanced  guard  was  passing  over  some 
uneven  ground,  through  the  high  t  grass  and  low  timber,  they  were  siid- 
denly  fired  upon  by  a  body  of  Indians  who  had  here  secreted  themselves. 
In  an  instant  Major  Ewing's  battalion  dismounted  and  were  formed  in 
front,  their  horses  being  removed  to  the  rear.  The  Indians  kept  up  a 
fire  from  behind  fallen  trees,  and  none  of  them  could  be  discovered  except 
by  the  flash  and  report  of  their  guns.  In  a  few  minutes  General  Henry 
arrived  with  the  main  body,  when  the  order  of  battle  was  formed. 

Colonel  Jones'  regiment  was  placed  on  the  right,  Colonel  Collins'  on 
the  left,  and  Colonel  Pry's  in  the  rear  to  act  as  a  reserve.  Major  Ewing's 
battalion  was  placed  in  front  of  the  line,  and  Major  Dodge's  on  the  ex- 
treme right.  In  this  order  General  Henry's  forces  marched  into  battle. 
An  order  was  given  to  charge  upon  the  enemy,  which  was  handsomely 
obeyed  by  Ewing's  battalion  and  Jones'  and  Collins'  regiments. 

The  Indians  retreated  before  this  charge  obliquely  to  the  right,  and 
concentrated  their  main  force  in  front  of  Dodge's  battalion,  showing  a 
design  to  turn  his  flank.  General  Henry  sent  an  order  by  Major  McCon- 
nell  to  Major  Dodge,  to  advance  to  the  charge;  but  this  officer  being  of 
the  opinion  that  the  foe  was  too  strong  for  him,  requested  a  reinforce- 
ment. Colonel  Fry's  regiment  was  ordered  to  his  aid,  and  formed  on  his 


148  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

right.     And  now  a  vigorous  charge  was  made  from  one  end  of  the  line  to 
the  other. 

_  Colonel  Fry's  regiment  made  a  charge  into  the  bush  and  high  grass 
where  the  Indians  were  concealed,  and  received  the  fire  of  their  whole 
body.  The  fire  was  briskly  returned  by  Fry  and  Dodge  and  their  men, 
who  continued  to  advance,  the  Indians  standing  their  ground  until  the 
men  came  within  bayonet  reach  of  them,  then  fell  back  to  the  west,  along 
the  high,  broken  bluffs  of  the  Wisconsin,  only  to  take  a  new  position 
among  the  thick  timber  and  tall  grass  in  the  head  of  a  hollow  leading 
to  the  Wisconsin  River  bottom.  Here  it  seemed  they  were  determined 
to  make  a  firm  stand;  but  being  charged  upon  in  their  new  position  by 
Ewing's  battalion  and  Collins'  and  Jones'  regiments,  they  were  driven 
out  of  it,  some  of  them  being  pursued  down  the  hollow,  and  others  again 
to  the  west,  along  the  Wisconsin  heights,  until  they  descended  the  bluffs 
to  the  Wisconsin  bottom,  which  was  here  about  a  mile  wide  and  very 
swampy,  covered  with  thick,  tall  grass,  above  the  heads  of 'men  on  horse- 
back. It  being  nov/  dark,  further  pursuit  was  stopped,  and  General 
Henry  and  his  forces  lay  upon  the  field  of  battle.  That  night  Heniy's 
camp  was  disturbed  by  the  voice  of  an  Indian  loudly  sounding  from  a 
distant  hill,  as  if  giving  orders  or  desiring  a  conference.  It  afterward 
appeared  that  this  was  the  voice  of  an  Indian  chief,  speaking  in  the  Win- 
nebago  language,  stating  that  the  Indians  had  their  squaws  and  families 
with  them,  that  they  were  starving  for  provisions,  and  were  not  able  to 
fight  the  white  people,  and  that  if  they  were  permitted  to  pass  peaceably 
over  the  Mississippi,  they  would  do  no  more  mischief.  He  spoke  this  in 
the  Winnebago  tongue,  in  hopes  that  some  of  that  people  were  with  Gen- 
eral Henry  and  would  act  as  his  interpreter.  No  Winnebagoes  were 
present,  they  having  ran  at  the  commencement  of  the  fight,  and  so  his 
language  was  never  explained  until  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

Next  morning  early,  General  Henry  advanced  to  the  Wisconsin  River, 
and  ascertained  that  the  Indians  had  all  crossed  it,  and  made  their  escape 
into  the  mountains  between  that  and  the  Mississippi.  It  was  ascertained 
after  the  battle  that  the  Indian  loss  amounted  to  sixty-eight  left  dead  on 
the  field,  and  a  large  number  of  wounded,  of  whom  twenty-five  were 
afterward  found  dead  along  the  Indian  trail  leading  to  the  Mississippi. 
General  Henry  lost  one  man  killed  and  eight  wounded.  It  appeared  that 
the  Indians,  knowing  they  were  to  fight  a  mounted  force,  had  been  trained 
to  aim  high,  but  as  General  Hemy  had  dismounted  his  forces  and  sent  his 


f 


CAPTAIN   THROCKMORTON   SALUTES   A   WHITE   FLAG.  151 

horses  to  the  rear,  the  Indians  shot  over  them.  This  will  account  for 
so  few  of  Henry's  men  being  killed  or  wounded. 

After  spending  two  days  in  preparation  at  the  Blue  Mounds,  the  whole 
force,  now  under  the  direction  of  General  Atkinson,  was  again  on  the 
march  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians.  The  Wisconsin  River  was  crossed  at 
Helena,  and  the  trail  of  the  Indians  struck  in  the  mountains  on  the 
other  side.  Day  after  day  the  whole  force  toiled  in  climbing  and  descend- 
ing mountains  covered  with  dense  forests,  and  passing  through  swamps  of 
deep,  black  mud  lying  in  the  intervening  valleys.  But  the  march  was 
slow  compared  with  that  preceding  the  battle  of  the  Wisconsin.  In  this 
march  were  found,  all  along  the  route,  the  melancholy  evidences  of  the 
execution  done  in  the  battle.  The  path  of  the  retreating  Indians  was 
strewn  with  the  wounded  who  had  died  on  the  march,  more  from  neglect 
and  want  of  skill  in  dressing  their  wounds  than  from  the  mortal  nature  of 
the  wounds  themselves.  Five  of  them  were  found  dead  in  one  place 
where  the  band  had  encamped  for  the  night. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  fourth  day  after  crossing  the 
Wisconsin,  General  Atkinson's  advance  reached  the  bluffs  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Mississippi.  The  Indians  had  reached  the  bank  of  the  river  some 
time  before.  Some  had  crossed,  and  others  were  making  preparations  to 
cross  it.  The  steamboat  "  Warrior,"  commanded  by  Captain  Throckmor- 
ton,  descended  to  that  place  the  day  before.  As  the  steamboat  neared  the 
camp  of  the  Indians,  they  raised  the  white  flag ;  but  Captain  Throckmor- 
ton,  believing  this  to  be  treacherously  intended,  ordered  them  to  send  a 
boat  on  board,  which  they  declined  doing.  In  the  flippant  language  of 
the  Captain,  after  allowing  them  fifteen  minutes  to  remove  their  squaws 
and  children,  he  let  slip  a  six-pounder  at  them,  loaded  with  canister  shot, 
followed  by  a  severe  fire  of  musketry ;  "  and  if  ever  you  saw  straight 
blankets,  you  would  have  seen  them  there."  According  to  the  Captain's 
account,  the  "  fight "  continued  for  an  hour,  and  cost  the  lives  of  twenty- 
three  Indians,  and  a  number  wounded.  The  boat  then  fell  down  the 
river  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  before  it  could  return  the  next  morning, 
the  land  forces  under  General  Atkinson  had  come  up  and  commenced  a 
general  battle. 

It  appears  that  the  Indians  were  encamped  on  the  bank  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, some  distance  below  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe  River.  They  were 
aware  that  General  Atkinson  was  in  close  pursuit ;  and  to  gain  time  for 
crossing  into  the  Indian  country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  they  sent  back 


152  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

about  twenty  men  to  meet  General  Atkinson,  within  three  or  four  miles 
of  their  camp.  This  party  of  Indians  were  instructed  to  commence  an 
attack,  and  then  to  retreat  to  the  river  three  miles  above  their  camp. 
Accordingly,  when  General  Atkinson  (the  order  of  march  being  as  before), 
came  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the  liver,  he  was  suddenly  fired  upon 
from  behind  trees  and  logs,  the  very  tall  grass  aiding  the  concealment  of 
the  attacking  party.  General  Atkinson  rode  immediately  to  the  scene  of 
action,  and  in  person  formed  his  lines  and  directed  the  charge.  The  In- 
dians gave  way,  and  were  pursued  by  General  Atkinson  with  all  the 
army  except  Henry's  brigade,  which  was  in  the  rear,  and  in  the  hurry  of 
pursuit  was  left  without  orders.  When  Henry  came  up  to  the  place  where 
the  attack,  had  been  made,  he  saw  clearly  that  the  wily  stratagem  of  the 
untutored  savage  had  triumphed  over  the  science  of  a  veteran  General. 
The  main  trail  of  the  Indians  wag  plain  to  be  seen  leading  to  the  river 
lower  down.  He  called  a  hasty  council  of  his  principal  officers,  and  by 
their  advice  marched  right  forward  upon  the  main  trail.  At  the  foot  of 
the  high  bluff  bordering  the  river  valley,  on  the  edge  of  a  swamp  densely 
covered  with  timber,  drift-wood  and  underbrush,  through  which  the  trail 
led  fresh  and  broad,  he  halted  his  command  and  left  his  horses.  The  men 
were  formed  on  foot,  and  thus  advanced  to  the  attack.  They  were  pre- 
ceded by  an  advanced  guard  of  eight  men,  who  were  sent  forward  as  a 
forlorn  hope,  and  were  intended  to  draw  the  first  fire  of  the  Indians,  and 
to  disclose  thereby  to  the  main  body  where  the  enemy  was  to  be  found, 
preparatoiy  to  a  general  charge.  These  eight  men  advanced  boldly  some 
distance,  until  they  came  within  sight  of  the  river,  where  they  were  fired 
upon  by  about  fifty  Indians,  and  five  of  the  eight  instantly  fell,  wounded 
or  dead.  The  other  three,  protected  behind  trees,  stood  their  ground 
until  the  arrival  of  the  main  body  \mder  General  Hemy,  which  deployed 
to  the  right  and  left  from  the  centre.  Immediately  the  bugle  sounded  a 
charge,  every  man  rushed  forward,  and  the  battle  became  general  along 
the  whole  line.  These  fifty  Indians  had  retreated  upon  the  main  body, 
amounting  to  about  three  hundred  warriors,  a  force  equal  if  not  superior 
to  that  now  confronting  them.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  they  had 
been  taken  by  surprise.  They  fought  bravely  and  desperately,  but  seem- 
ingly without  any  plan  or  concert  of  action.  The  bugle  again  sounded  the 
inspiring  music  of  a  charge.  The  Indians  were  driven  from  tree  to  tree, 
and  from  one  hiding-place  to  another.  In  this  manner  they  receded  step 
by  step,  driven  by  the  advancing  foe,  until  they  reached  the  bank  of  the 


A   TREATY    OF   PEACE    SICHSTED.  153 

river.  Here  a  desperate  struggle  ensued,  but  it  was  of  short  duration. 
The  bloody  bayonet,  in  the  hands  of  excited  and  daring  men,  pursued  and 
drove  them  forward  into  the  waters  of  the  river.  Some  of  them  tried  to 
swim  the  river ;  others  sought  shelter  on  a  small  willow  island  near  the 
shore. 

After  the  Indians  had  retreated  to  the  island  in  the  river,  Henry  dis- 
patched Major  McConnell  to  give  intelligence  of  his  movements  to  his 
commander,  who,  while  pursuing  the  twenty  Indians  in  another  direction, 
had  heard  the  firing  where  Henry  was  engaged.  General  Atkinson  had 
left  the  pursuit  of  the  twenty  Indians,  and  hastened  to  share  in  the  en- 
gagement. He  was  met  by  Henry's  messenger  near  the  scene  of  action, 
in  passing  through  which  the  dead  and  dying  Indians  lying  around  bore 
frightful  evidence  of  the  stern  work  which  had  been  done  before  his 
arrival.  He,  however,  lost  no  time  in  forming  his  regulars  and  Dodge's 
battalion  for  a  descent  upon  the  island.  These  forces,  together  with  Ew- 
ing's  battalion  and  Fry's  regiment,  made  a  charge  through  the  water  up 
to  their  armpits  to  the  island,  where  most  of  the  Indians  had  taken  their 
last  refuge.  All  the  Indians  who  attempted  to  swim  the  river  were 
picked  off  with  rifles  or  found  a  watery  grave  before  they  reached  the  op- 
posite shore. 

Those  on  the  island  kept  up  a  severe  fire  from  behind  logs  and  drift- 
wood upon  the  men  as  they  advanced  to  the  charge ;  and  here  a  number 
of  regulars  and  volunteers  under  Dodge  were  killed  and  wounded.  But 
most  of  the  Indians  secreted  there  were  either  killed,  captured,  or  driven 
into  the  water,  where  they  perished  miserably,  either  by  drowning  or  by 
the  still  more  fatal  rifle.  During  these  engagements  a  number  of  squaws 
were  killed.  They  were  dressed  so  much  like  the  male  Indians  that,  con- 
cealed as  they  were  in  the  high  grass,  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish 
them.  It  is  estimated  that  the  Indian  loss  here  amounted  to  one  hundred 
and  fifty  killed,  and  as  many  more  who  were  drowned  in  the  river.  Fifty 
prisoners  were  taken,  mostly  squaws  and  children.  The  residue  of  the 
Indians  had  escaped  across  the  river  before  the  commencement  of  the 
action.  The  twenty  men  who  first  commenced  the  attack,  led  by  Black 
Hawk  in  person,  escaped  up  the  river.  The  American  loss  amounted  to 
seventeen  killed,  one  of  them  a  captain  of  Dodge's  battalion  and  one  a 
lieutenant  of  Fry's  regiment,  and  twelve  wounded. 

September  21,  1832,  General  Scott  and  Governor  Reynolds  concluded 
a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  Winnebagoes,  Sacs  and  Foxes,  by  which  these 


154  fcECOKDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

tribes  ceded  to  the  United  States  vast  regions  of  country,  and  agreed  to 
remain  at  peace  with  the  whites;  and  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
this  promise,  they  surrendered  Black  Hawk  and  his  two  sons,  "  The 
Prophet,"  and  six  other  leaders  or  chiefs  of  the  hostile  bands,  to  be  re- 
tained as  hostages  during  the  pleasure  of  the  President.  These  Indians 
were  afterward  taken  to  Washington,  and  shown  around  the  cities  of  the 
east,  our  navy  and  army,  and  our  general  arrangements  for  war,  offen- 
sive and  defensive.  When  presented  to  President  Jackson,  Black  Hawk 
said: 

"  I  am  a  man  and  you  are  another.  We  did  not  expect  to  conquer  the 
white  people.  I  took  up  the  hatchet  to  revenge  injuries  which  could  no 
longer  be  borne.  Had  I  borne  them  any  longer  my  people  would  have 
said,  'Black  Hawk  is  a  squaw;  he  is  too  old  to  be  a  chief.  He  is  no  Sac.' 
This  caused  me  to  raise  the  war-whoop.  I  say  no  more  of  it.  All  is 
known  to  you.  Keokuk  was  once  here.  You  took  him  by  the  hand,  and 
when  he  wanted  to  return,  you  sent  him  back  to  his  nation.  Black  Hawk 
expects  that  like  Keokuk,  he  will  be  permitted  to  return  too." 

The  President  told  him  that  when  he  was  satisfied  that  all  things 
would  remain  quiet,  Black  Hawk  might  return. 

Black  Hawk  died  October  3,  1840,  and  was  buried  with  considerable 
pomp,  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  River,  near  the  scenes  of  h^s  boy- 
hood. 


DESCRIPTION   OF   HENNEPIN   TOWNSHIP.  155 


HENNEPIN   TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

TOPOGRAPH^flftL. 

ENNEPIN  commemorates  the  name  of  the  great  discoverer 
and  explorer  supposed  to  have  been  one  of  the  first  white 
men  who  set  foot  within  its  limits.     It  embraces  about 
forty-five  sections  of  land  within  its  boundaries,  or  29,800 
acres,  in  round  numbers,  as  indicated  by  a  recent  county 
map.      The    Illinois  River  washes  its  borders  for  twelve 
miles  or  more,  and  its  surface  is  made  up  of  wide-extended, 
fertile  bottoms,  wooded  hills  and  productive  prairies. 
Running  through  the  Township  is  Coffee  Creek,  a  considerable  stream 
which  rises  in  Section  18,  thence  runs  in  devious  windings  through  Sec- 
tions 11,  12,  15  and  16,  to  the  Illinois  River  below  the  city  of  Hennepin. 
South    of    Florid,  in  the  edge  of    a  small  prairie  united  to  Grand 
Prairie  on  the  east,  rises  the  stream  known  as  "Nelson's  Run,"  which 
leads  southwest  through  Section  2  to  the  river. 

Further  south  Cedar  Creek  flows  through  a  broken,  timbered  countiy, 
and  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Township,  Allfork  Creek,  an  extremely 
tortuous  stream  rising  in  the  prairie  south  of  Greenville,  makes  a  detour 
into  Hennepin  Township,  in  Section  36,  and  running  west  a  mile  and 
north  another,  enters  the  Illinois. 

East  of  the  city  is  a  fine  prairie,  covered  with  fertile  and  highly  culti- 
vated farms.  The  southern  portion  is  broken  and  diversified  with  deep 
ravines,  wide  valleys,  rugged  hills,  "  hog-backs,"  and  small  patches  of  bar- 
rens, or  little  sections  of  openings  and  prairies  which  industrous  Germans 
have  long  since  transformed  into  fine  farms,  thrifty  orchards  and  large 
meadows. 

There  is,  or  rather  was,  an  abundance  of  excellent  timber  in  this  section 
of  the  County,  but  in  many  localities  it  has  been  cut  down  and  the  ground 


156  RECORDS    Ol    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

become  cultivated  fields.     Saw  mills  put  up  here  and  there  have  been  for 
years  transforming  the  monarchs  of  the  forest  into  lumber. 

There  are  small  prairies  here  and  there,  one  to  the  east  of  Hennepin, 
another  at  Union  Grove  and  Florid.  Here  the  first  settlers  built  their 
houses,  and  a  few  still  remain  on  farms  taken  up  before  the  red  man  had 
ceased  to  be  the  sole  possessor.  The  soil  is  fertile  and  adapted  to  raising 
grain,  live  stock  or  fruits,  in  all  of  which  the  township  excels. 


THE  CITY  OF  HENNEPIN. 

Hennepin,  or  rather  the  prairie  on  which  the  town  stands,  was  an- 
ciently called  Prairie  de  Pine,  in  honor  of  a  French  voyageur  and  trapper 
who  once  had  a  cabin  there.  The  circumstances  which  called  the  town 
into  being  have  been  narrated  elsewhere,  and  it  need  only  be  stated  that 
under  an  act  of  the  Legislature  a  committee  was  sent  to  examine  vari- 
ous localities  with  a  view  to  the  location  of  a  county  seat,  and  select  the 
one  most  appropriate  and  best  fulfilling  the  required  conditions. 

At  this  time  a  heavy  belt  of  timber  ran  along  its  front,  extending  back 
to  the  Court  House  and  beyond,  so  densely  filled  with  underbrush  as  to 
shut  out  all  view  of  the  river,  the  bank  of  which  in  front  of  the  town  rose 
abruptly  forty  or  fifty  feet  high,  but  has  since  been  graded  down  to  suit  the 
demands  of  commerce.  Properly  the  town  should  date  back  to  1817, 
when  Beaubien,  a  Frenchmen  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Fur  Com- 
pany, built  a  trading  house  one  mile  above  the  town,  on  land  now  owned 
by  A.  T.  Purviance.  Thomas  Hartzell  at  this  time  was  trading  at  some 
point  below  in  opposition  to  the  American  Fur  Company,  but  in  1824-5 
he  became  their  agent  and  removed  here.  Beside  the  old  building  first 
referred  to  he  had  erected  a  substantial  store  of  hewn  logs,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  occupy  until  the  location  of  Hennepin,  when  he  removed  there. 
Across  the  ravine  south  of  Hartzell  a  Frenchman  named  Antoine  Bour- 
bonais  had  a  cabin  built  somewhere  about  1820. 

The  town  was  surveyed  in  1831  by  Ira  Ladd,  Sr.,  on  Congress  land. 
Twelve  blocks  were  laid  off  at  first,  and  eight  afterward,  to  which  several 
additions  have  since  been  made.  Lots  were  extensively  advertised,  and 
the  first  sales  were  made  at  prices  ranging  from  $11.68  to  $87.86  each. 
(Ford's  History).  The  first  lot  was  sold  to  J.  and  W.  Durley,  at  that 
time  trading  with  the  Indians  in  a  cabin  built  by  James  Willis,  opposite 


THE    SETTLEMENT    OF    HENNEPIN.  157 

the  mouth  of  Bureau  Creek,  one  mile  above  Hennepin.  They  proceeded 
at  once  to  build  on  this  lot,  now  the  site  of  the  Town  Hall,  corner  of 
Front  and  Coiirt  streets,  and  when  finished,  removed  their  stock  there. 

Dunlavy  &  Stewart  built  a  trading  house  at  the  same  time,  preceding 
the  Durleys  a  few  days  in  commencing  business. 

J.  S.  Simpson  and  a  man  named  Gleason  each  built  log  cabins  that 
fall,  and  Ira  Ladd,  first  Sheriff  of  the  county. 

In  the  spring  of  1832,  the  first  hotel  was  built.  It  was  a  double  log 
cabin,  built  by  James  S.  Simpson,  and  run  by  John  H.  Simpson.  About 
this  time  Hartzell  built  a  store  and  removed  here  his  stock  of  goods. 

The  old  trading  house  deserves  more  special  notice.  Its  foundations 
are  still  seen  adjoining  the  pleasant  residence  of  A.  T.  Purviance,  and 
are  a  pleasing  reminder  of  the  days  when  the  red  man  held  sway  over  this 
territory,  and  neither  steamboats  nor  commerce,  in  the  modern  acceptation 
of  the  term,  existed  on  the  river. 

In  1832  came  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  Hennepin  was  made  the  head- 
quarters and  rallying  point  of  the  rangers.  When  news  of  the  outbreak 
arrived,  there  was  great  consternation.  Few  of  the  settlers  were  armed, 
and  no  means  of  defense  were  available. 

In  this  predicament,  Thomas  Hartzell  came  forward  and  offered  to 
donate  his  log  store  for  a  block  house.  It  was  a  noble  act,  and  bespeaks 
his  character.  Every  man  and  team  in  the  settlement  was  set  at  work, 
and  in  two  days  the  building  was  taken  down,  the  logs  hauled  to  the  vil- 
lage, and  a  commodious  block  house,  with  embrasures  for  riflemen  and  an 
upper  story,  constructed,  in  which  the  families  of  settlers  took  refuge  until 
the  scare  was  over.  It  stood  on  Front  street,  and  for  a  dozen  years  was 
one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  town  until  the  authorities  ordered  its  re- 
moval. 

When  the  old  building  was  torn  down  to  be  reconstructed  into  a  fort, 
the  chimney  was  left  standing.  A  Frenchman  with  a  half-breed  wife  oc- 
cupied the  Beaubein  cabin,  and  she  often  repaired  to  the  old  chimney  to 
do  her  cooking.  One  day  while  thus  engaged  a  high  wind  blew  it  down, 
killing  her  instantly. 

The  first  election  in  the  new  County  was  held  at  the  house  of  William 
Hawes,  near  Magnolia,  and  beside  the  Judges  of  Election,  but  one  voter 
appeared  (Warner).  Of  course  there  were  no  "split  tickets,"  and  Thomas 
Gallaher,  George  Ish  and  John  M.  Gay  were  declared  elected  as  County 
Commissioners,  Ira  Ladd  as  Sheriff,  and  Aaron  Paine  as  Coroner.  James 


158  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

W.  Willis  was  subsequently  appointed  Treasurer.  Hooper  Warren  filled 
the  offices  of  Kecorder,  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  and  County  Courts,  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Among  the  members  of  the  bar  who  attended  Court  here  were :  Sen- 
ator David  Davis,  who  came  from  Bloomington  on  horseback,  and  Judge 
John  B.  Caton,  who  came  down  from  Chicago,  riding  an  Indian  pony.* 

The  first  death  in  the  Counties  of  Bureau,  Putnam  or  Marshall  was 
in  the  family  of  Aaron  Mitchell,  who  lost  a  child  in  August  or  Septem- 
ber, 1829.  There  being  no  lumber  in  the  country,  a  puncheon  coffin  was 
made  by  N.  and  S.  Shepherd,  and  the  child  was  interred  near  Captain 
Price's. 

The  first  corpse  buried  in  Hennepin  Cemetery  was  that  of  Phillips, 
shot  by  the  Indians,  June  4,  1831.  No  memorial  stone  marks  the  place, 
and  his  grave  is  unknown. 


OLD  TIME  RECORDS. 

Most  of  the  early  settlers  were  young  men,  and  in  those  days  a  woman 
or  a  baby  was  as  much  of  a  novelty  and  excited  as  lively  an  interest  as 
ever  they  did  in  "Roaring  Camp."  Some  of  the  men,  however,  brought 
their  wives,"  and  with  them  came  their  "  sisters,  their  cousins  and  their 
aunts,"  who  speedily  found  husbands;  and  we  find  among  the  early 
records  the  following  marriages : 

John  Shepherd  to  Tennessee  McComas,  July  5,  1831;  by  George  Ish, 
County  Judge. 

Elisha  Swan,  of  Lacon,  was  married  to  Zilpha  Dent,  February  25, 
1832;  by  Rev.  Zadok  Hall. 

Livingston  Roberts  to  Margaret  Dent,  January  24,  1843;  by  Hooper 
Warren,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Lemuel  Russell  to  Sarah  Ann  Edwards,  February  23,  1823 ;  by  Rev. 
Edward  Hale. 

Wm.  Munson  to  Rachel  Hall,  March  7,  1833,  by  John  M.  Gay,  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace. 

Wm.  S.  Horn  to  Sylvia  Hall,  May  5,  1833;  by  Rev.  R.  Horn. 

The  ladies  whose  names  appear  in  the  last  two  notices  were  the  Hall 
girls,  whose  thrilling  experience  with  the  Indians  is  given  elsewhere. 

*Warren. 


LIST    OF    THE   EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    HENNEPIN.  159 

The  early  ministers  of  the  township  were  Revs.  John  McDonald, 
Elijah  Epperson,  Win.  Heath  and  Joel  Arlington. 

The  first  farm  opened  in  the  township  was  that  of  James  Willis,  at 
Union  Grove,  in  1828,  and  his  was  the  first  dwelling  house  outside  of  the 
village  of  Henuepin. 

Elizabeth  Shepherd  was  one  of  the  first  white  women  in  this  locality, 
coming  in  1829. 

Austin  Hannum  is  claimed  as  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  county. 
His  parents  lived  in  Magnolia. 

Isabel  Patterson,  since  Mrs.  R.  W.  Bowman,  was  born  in  1832,  and 
Augustus  Shepherd  in  1830. 


THE  PIONEERS. 

In  the  Court  House  at  Hennepin  hangs  a  large  frame  with  the  por- 
traits and  names  of  many  old  settlers,  and  the  date  of  their  coming  to  the 
County.  It  will  better  preface  what  follows  than  aught  else  we  can  give : 

1817  — Thomas  Hartzell. 

1827— Thos.  Gallaher,  Jas.  W.  Willis. 

1828 — Stephen  D.  Willis,  Smiley  Shepherd. 

1829 — James  G.  Ross,  Nelson  Shepherd,  Elizabeth  Shepherd. 

1830  —  Harvey  Leeper,  Flora  Zenor,  Augustus  Shepherd,  Wm.  Pat- 
terson, L.  E.  Skeel,  David  Richey,  Lucy  Dick,  Olive  Skeel,  Wm.  M.  Ham, 
Anthony  Turk.  Samuel  D.  Laughlin,  Catherine  Shepherd. 

1831  —  Alvira   Zenor,   Lewis  Durley,   Lucy  Durley,  Mary  Stewart, 
Mary  Shepherd,  George  Dent,  Comfort  Dent,  Williamson  Durley,  H.  K. 
Zenor,  Emeline  Durley,  E.  G.  Powers,  Louisa  Nash,  John  Gallalier,  Aaron 
Gunn. 

1832 — John  G.  Ross  (born  here),  Stephen  W.  Stewart,  Nancy  Skeel, 
Sarah  Stewart,  John  W.  Stewart,  B.  F.  Whittaker,  J.  W.  Leech,  Mary 
Leech,  Robert  Leech,  Mary  A.  Templeton,  S.  G.  Leech,  Sarah  Brumfield, 
Thomas  Brumfield,  Mary  Ann  Noys,  John  Brumfield,  Aaron  Barlow, 
John  N.  Laughlin. 

1833 — Bayliss  Culter,  Wm.  H.  Zenor,  Elizabeth  Durley,  Joseph  Fair- 
field,  Wm.  E.  Fairfield,  Joseph  Cassell,  Augustus  Cassell,  Thomas  Cole- 
man,  Chas.  Coleman,  Oaks  Turner,  Wilson  Everett,  Jeremiah  Everett, 
Alex.  Ross,  Milton  Robinson. 


160  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

1834 — Cyrus  Shepherd,  William  Baxendale,  Thomas  W.  Shepherd, 
Guy  W.  Pool,  Thomas  Atwater  (the  first  lawyer),  H.  J.  White,  Wash- 
ington Webb. 

1836  —  Lyle  Shepherd,  Samuel  Holmes,  Sr.,  Alfred  Turner,  David 
Cryder. 

SMILEY  SHEPHERD,  the  oldest  living  person  of  Hennepin,  visited 
this  country  in  August,  1828,  on  a  prospecting  tour.  He  bought  a  claim 
from  James  Willis,  at  Magnolia,  but  sold  it  and  selected  the  well-known 
farm  east  of  Hennepin,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived.  Keturning  to  Ohio 
in  December,  1828,  he  married,  and  in  June,  1829,  settled  permanently  at 
Hennepin. 

When  he  came  to  Hennepin  in  1828,  Hartzell,  the  Indian  trader,  was 
doing  a  prosperous  business.  He  was  operating  in  his  own  name,  and 
had  several  Indians,  squaws  and  half  breeds  around  him.  He  was  assisted 
by  a  young  man  named  Benny,  who  had  charge  of  the  business,  buying 
and  preparing  the  furs  for  market,  and  supplying  hunters  and  traders  in 
other  localities,  shipping  his  furs  to  Montreal. 

The  American  Fur  Company  had  three  stations  at  and  near  the  mouth 
of  Bureau  Creek,  under  the  management  of  Gurden  S.  Hubbard,  who  gen- 
erally made  his  headquarters  at  Chicago,  but  was  often  here  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  the  company. 

WILLIAMSON  DURLEY  came  to  Hennepin  August  8,  1831,  and  opened 
a  store  along  with  his  uncle,  John  Durley.  They  bought  their  goods  at 
St.  Louis,  brought  them  up  on  a  boat  to  Pekin,  and  hauled  them  "by 
land "  to  their  new  store  in  the  village,  which  had  been  laid  out  in  Sep- 
tember, the  goods  reaching  here  in  October,  1831. 

Mr.  Durley  first  visited  this  locality  in  1828,  stopping  on  the  way  at 
Bailey's  Point,  La  Salle  County,  where  himself  and  friends  found  shelter, 
with  permission  to  "board  themselves"  in  the  cornfield.  The  corn  was 
but  partially  ripe,  and  had  to  be  planed  off  the  ears  and  then  boiled. 
They  found  this  fare  and  the  hospitality  of  the  people  so  agreeable  that 
they  remained  two  days  on  these  terms.  During  their  stay  they  explored 
the  country  thereabouts,  returning  to  their  host  each  night,  who  on  their 
departure  refused  to  take  pay  for  their  keeping,  saying,  "as  he  had  freely 
given  them  the  best  he  had,  and  didn't  want  to  be  insulted." 

At  Covel  Creek  they  found  an  Indian  burial  ground,  in  which  the  de- 
parted were  placed  in  a  sitting  posture,  back  to  back,  between  white  oak 


EARLY    SETTLERS   OF   IlENNEtIN    TOWNSHIP.  161 

poles  fixed  in  the  ground.  Mr.  Durley  likewise  remembers  one  two  miles 
south  of  Hennepin,  where  the  corpses  were  similarly  arranged. 

The  mails  in  early  days  were  irregular.  A  line  extended  from  Peoria 
to  Galena,  and  a  route  was  established  about  1831  running  from  Henne- 
pin to  Boyd's  Grove.  A  few  years  later  a  stage  line  between  Chicago 
and  Peoria  was  established,  with  a  cross  line  to  Hennepin,  connecting  at 
Robert's  Point.  The  next  change  was  from  Ottawa  via  Peru,  Hennepin 
and  Lacon  to  Peoria,  making  three  trips  a  week  each  way. 

Mr.  Durley's  recollections  of  the  old  pioneers  are  valuable.  He  re- 
members Thomas  Hartzell  as  a  man  of  generous  disposition,  open-hearted 
and  easily  duped.  He  believed  all  men  honest  like  himself,  and  lost  his 
property  by  going  security  for  others.  About  this  time  a  wealthy  rela- 
tive in  Pennsylvania  died  and  opportunely  left  him  a  considerable  sum, 
which  went  in  like  manner.  Again  he  inherited  property,  and  not  long 
after  removed  to  Waukegan,  where  he  died. 

DANIEL  DIMMICK — The  Township  of  Dimmick,  in  La  Salle  County, 
takes  its  name  from  an  early  settler  who  formerly  lived  in  this  vicinity. 
He  came  to  Peoria  in  1828,  to  Princeton  in  1829  or  '30,  and  not  long 
after  to  Putnam  County,  building  a  cabin  in  the  timber  near  Hartzell's 
trading  house.  He  is  said  to  have  made  the  first  claim  and  broken  the 
first  prairie  in  Putnam  County,  and  sold  his  "betterments"  to  George 
Mills.  They  are  now  a  part  of  the  farm  of  William  Ham.  Dimmick  lived 
in  great  seclusion,  avoiding  society  and  companionship,  and  was  chiefly  in- 
tent on  making  money.  It  is  said  he  never  had  a  floor  to  his  cabin,  and 
never  washed.  His  single  tow  shirt  sufficed  so  long  as  it  held  together. 
He  slept  on  a  bundle  of  straw  in  the  corner,  and  his  coat  was  patched 
with  an  old  saddle  blanket.  In  1833  he  sent  his  son  Elijah  to  Dixon  to 
learn  if  it  was  safe  to  venture  to  the  north  side  of  the  Illinois  River,  and 
if  the  Indians  were  really  at  peace  with  the  whites,  and  the  war  over. 
On  getting  satisfactory  answers,  he  packed  up  his  household  goods  and 
moved  over  to  the  prairies  and  began  his  new  and  permanent  home,  where 
he  built  a  fine  residence  in  after  years,  and  died  much  respected. 

THE  GALLAIIER  FAMILY  played  an  important  part  in  the  early  history  of 
Putnam,  and  deserves  a  more  extended  notice.  The  first  representative, 
Thomas  Gallaher,  Si1.,  came  here  in  September,  1827,  and  settled  on  the 
south-east  quarter  of  Section  30,  Town  32,  Range  1  west,  3d  principal 


162  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

meridian,  four  miles  south-east  of  Hennepin.  He  was  accompanied  here 
by  his  wife  and  eight  children,  viz : 

Thomas,  Jr.- — Born  March  17,  1810;  afterward  moved  to  Henry,  and 
died  August  17,  1854. 

Eliza — Born  November  13,  1811;  now  Mrs.  Ladd,  wife  of  Ira  Ladd, 
first  Sheriff  of  Putnam  County.  She  is  now  a  resident  of  New  Orleans. 

Mary — Born  March  17,  1814;  married  B.  Willis,  and  afterward  went 
to  Hannibal,  Mo. 

James — Born  April  13,  1816;  lives  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa. 

William- — Born  July  19,  1818;  moved  to  Henry  in  1851,  where  he 
now  resides. 

Nancy  J. —  Born  February  8,  1821;  married  Mr.  Heath;  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1848. 

Samuel — Born  April  18,  1823;  died  in  August,  1879. 

Margaret  H.— Born  August  6,  1825;  died  May  27,  1874. 

After  arriving  here,  there  were  born : 

Robert  K. —  May  20,  1828,  the  "first  white  child  born  in  Putnam 
County."  Died  March  4,  1845. 

John  McDonald- — October  6,  1830;  living  on  the  old  farm. 

Nathaniel  C. — August  12,  1833;  died  of  wounds  received  at  Fort 
Donelson. 

Elizabeth,  Margaret  and  Robert,  born  subsequently,  remained  on  the 
old  homestead  until  their  death. 

Thomas  Gallaher,  Sr.,  was  born  April  22,  1782,  and  died  of  cholera, 
while  on  his  way  to  Pennsylvania,  June  5,  1852,  aged  70  years. 

His  wife  (Elizabeth  Kelly)  was  born  March  17,  1792,  and  died  April 
23,  1878,  aged  86  years. 

Mr.  Gallaher,  after  arriving  here  put  up  a  cabin  in  the  fall  of  1827, 
and  in  1828  broke  prairie  for  eighty  acres  of  corn  and  wheat. 

The  cabin  was  eighteen  feet  sqiiare,  with  a  "  shake "  roof,  and  a  fire- 
place so  big  that  logs  were  hauled  through  the  room  by  oxen  to  feed  its 
capacious  mouth.  His  first  crop  was  exceeding  fine,  and  Major  Elias 
Thompson  and  Wm.  Studyvin  helped  cut  the  wheat  in  1829 ;  wages, 
twenty-five  cents  per  day. 

In  1828  he  built  a  hewn  log  cabin,  fifteen  feet  square,  the  first  of  the 
kind  in  this  region  of  country. 

These  were  the  first  houses  in  this  neighborhood  of  any  description, 
and  their  rains  may  yet  be  seen  on  the  old  historic  ground. 


AVERAGE   WAGES   OF   FARM   HANDS.  163 

In  the  fall  of  1827,  after  Grallaher  had  put  up  his  log  dwelling,  James 
Willis  built  a  house  on  ground  afterward  enclosed  within  the  village 
plat  of  Florid.  He  left  his  family  on  this  claim  during  the  winter  of 
1827-8,  and  went  to  Bond  County,  111.,  to  close  up  some  business 
affairs.  He  had  in  his  employ-  a  likely  colored  boy  who  was  a  fugi- 
tive from  slavery,  whom  he  left  in  charge.  The  boy  worked  faithfully 
all  winter,  but  when  spring  came  and  he  found  himself  in  debt,  he  con- 
cluded there  was  not  so  much  difference  between  freedom  and  slavery 
as  he  had  supposed. 

During  the  winter  of  1827,  there  were  no  settlers  south  of  Gallaher's, 
none  at  Magnolia,  Roberts'  Point,  Lacon,  or  Crow  Creek ;  no  one  at  all 
nearer  than  the  Dillon  settlement,  on  Mackinaw  River. 

In  those  days  farm  laborers  were  not  numerous,  yet  the  prices  for  work 
were  not  extravagantly  high,  as  three  bushels  of  meal,  equal  to  three 
"bits,"  was  considered  a  just  equivalent  for  cutting  and  splitting  one  hun- 
dred 11 -feet  fence  rails,  and  eight  dollars  per  month  and  board  and  wash- 
ing were  the  wages  for  farm  hands. 


THE  HENNEPLN  FERRY. 

Prior  to  1831,  when  Putnam  was  set  apart  as  a  county,  with  a  tangi- 
ble boundary  and  a  real  organization,  the  ferry  at  Hennepin,  or  rather  at 
and  above  Hartzell's  trading  house,  had  been  a  private  enterprise,  and  was 
generally  "run"  by  whomsoever  came  along,  white,  red,  or  mixed.  The 
Indian  traders  claimed  to  own  the  boats,  and  every  one  used  them, —  such 
as  they  were.  At  the  first  term  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  that 
wise  body  took  the  subject  in  hand  and  "  Ordered  that  public  notice  be 
given  of  the  letting  of  the  building  of  a  ferry  boat."  Alexander  Wilson 
put  in  the  lowest  bid  and  got  the  job,  for  a  sum  not  stated,  to  build  the 
first  boat  capable  of  carrying  loaded  wagons. 

September  8,  1831,  Ira  Ladd,  the  Sheriff,  was  appointed  to  take  charge 
of  the  ferry  boat  when  finished. 

August  14,  1832,  James  Laughlin  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the 
ferry  boat  till  next  term ;  also  to  procure  a  skiff  for  the  same. 

September  3,  1832,  J.  S.  Simpson  was  allowed  $11.00  for  keeping  the 
ferry. 

B.  M.  Hays  was  appointed  to  run  the  Hennepin  ferry  from  December 


164  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

17,  1832,  one  year.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  watch  him,  see  that 
he  did  his  whole  duty,  and  say  when  the  boat  should  or  should  not  run 
in  the  season  of  ice,  high  water  and  other  dangers.  This  committee  were 
R.  Blanchard,  John  H.  Simpson,  Geo.  B.  Willis,  Williamson  Durley  and 
Nathan  Skeel. 

In  March,  1833,  John  H.  Simpson,  then  ferryman,  was  instructed  by 
the  Court  to  allow  footmen  to  go  free;  and  citizens  upon  horseback  on 
muster,  election  and  court  days,  were  not  to  be  charged  for  themselves  or 
their  beasts. 

The  ferry  boat  having  been  carried  away  by  ice,  Jonathan  Wilson  fol- 
lowed it  down  to  the  island  below  Henry,  captured  and  returned  it,  and 
the  Court,  March  3,  1836,  allowed  him  $6.00  for  that  service. 

The  ferry,  instead  of  proving  a  blessing  to  the  County  of  Putnam,  was 
a  constant  source  of  annoyance,  and  though  its  income  some  years  was  con- 
siderable, by  reason  of  accidents  and  the  large  proportion  of  patrons  who 
managed  to  shirk  payment,  it  rarely  made  any  profit  for  its  managers.  An 
embankment  a  mile  or  two  in  length  was  needed  on  the  west  side,  be- 
sides expensive  bridges.  This  territory  was  in  Bureau  County,  beyond 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Commissioners  of  Putnam  County,  and  the  people 
of  Princeton  could  see  no  advantage  in  improving  a  road  or  building  em- 
bankments and  bridges  for  the  convenience  of  a  rival  market  at  Hennepin. 
Things  wore  on  for  years  until  a  goodly  settlement  of  tax-paying  people 
had  gathered  in  the  bottom  and  prairies  beyond,  who  demanded  a  road  to 
the  river  as  an  outlet  for  their  products,  and  at  length  the  Commissioners 
of  Bureau  County  consented  to  meet  with  their  equally  exalted  brethren 
of  Putnam  County,  and  jointly  take  action  in  the  all-important  question 
of  improving  the  bottoms  and  making  a  road  and  suitable  bridges  across 
Bureau  Creek  and  other  water  courses  toward  Hennepin. 

Accordingly  these  august  bodies  met  at  Hennepin,  September  8, 
1845,  and  after  much  deliberation  leased  the  ferry  for  a  term  of  eleven 
years  to  one  Hugh  Feeny,  who,  at  his  own  expense,  was  to  make  all 
necessaiy  improvements  in  the  roadway,  and  in  addition  to  the  rents 
and  profits  of  the  ferry  was  to  have  the  sum  of  $"275  in  cash  paid  him,  one- 
half  of  said  sum  by  each  of  the  counties.  ? 

This  arrangement  lasted  a  couple  of  years,  when  Feeny  failed  to  keep 
his  contract.  We  find  the  two  high  joint  powers  at  Hennepin  again  in 
session,  declaring  that  Feeny  had  forfeited  the  contract,  and  legal  proceed- 
ings in  the  nature  a  quo  ivarranto  were'  instituted  to  make  him  surrender 


TRIBULATIONS    OF    FRONTIER    TRAVELERS.  165 

the  ferry.  After  tedious  litigation,  lasting  until  February,  1850,  Feeny 
voluntarily  abandoned  the  fight,  and  the  ferry  was  placed  in  charge  of  Wil- 
liam Ray. 

Subsequently  an  act  of  the  State  Legislature  was  passed  giving  the 
entire  ferry  and  rights  of  way  in  Bureau  and  Putnam  Counties  to  the  ex- 
clusive control  of  the  corporation  of  Hennepin,  where  they  now  rest. 


FRINK  AND  WALKER. 

This  enterprising  firm  were  the  pioneer  stage  proprietors  of  Central 
Illinois.  They  controlled  and  operated  most  of  the  lines,  with  general 
headquarters  in  Chicago.  Their  monopoly  of  the  business  covered  a  per- 
iod of  about  thirteen  years,  from  1838  or  1839,  during  which  their  head- 
quarters in  Hennepin  were  with  John  Lyons,  an  old  hotel  keeper.  At* 
first  they  ran  from  Peru  to  Magnolia,  and  on  to  Peoria,  but  afterward 
took  in  Hennepin  on  the  route,  passing  thence  through  Lacon  and  down 
the  river. 

One  night  in  the  winter  of  1839  the  stage  coach  was  lost  upon  the 
Hennepin  Prairie.  There  were  two  passengers  inside,  and  the  driver  vain- 
ly sought  to  find  his  destination.  Afterward  it  was  found  he  had  traveled 
in  a  circle  most  of  the  time. 

Mr.  Nicholls  related  how  an  old  English  "  milord  "  was  once  his  guest, 
and  the  trouble  the  great  man  experienced.  The  hotel  was  a  good-sized 
log  cabin,  and  had  but  a  single  sleeping  room  for  the  accommodation  of 
guests,  who  were  expected  to  be  reasonable  and  share  their  beds  with 
strangers.  As  nine  o'clock  came  the  traveler  signified  a  desire  to  retire, 
and  asked  to  be  lighted  to  his  quarters.  Nicholls  showed  him  up,  and 
stated  that  one-half  the  bed  would  be  occupied  by  another  party.  "  Do 
you  expect  me  to  sleep  in  this  room  with  other  men?-"  said  "milord,"  al- 
most gasping  for  breath.  Nicholls  said  he  could  either  do  that  or  sit  up, 
as  he  preferred ;  arid  the  old  fellow  sat  in  his  chair  all  night,  groaning  over 
his  aches  and  cursing  the  "blarsted  country." 


RELIGIOUS  ORGANIZATIONS. 

The  early  settlers  were  pre-eminently  a  religious  people,  and  one  of 
the  first  things  provided  for  was  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.     There  was 


166  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

• 

no  lack  of  earnest,  devoted,  self-sacrificing  ministers,  and  in  the  absence  of 
suitable  places  of  worship,  services  were  held  at  private  houses  or  in  the 
groves.  These  services  were  invariably  well  attended,  and  received 
earnest,  respectful  attention.  The  good  these  men  did  was  not  interred 
with  their  bones — for  most  of  them  have  gone  to  their  reward, — but  it 
lives  after  them,  and  bears  fruit  to  this  day. 

THE    M.    E.    CHURCH    OF    HENNEPIN. 

This  society  is  an  old  one,  dating  back  to  1833,  when  the  first  class 
was  formed.  The  record  of,the  first  proceedings,  if  any  was  made,  has 
been  lost,  and  such  history  as  can  be  gathered  of  the  organization  thereof 
depends  upon  the  recollection  of  one  or  two  persons  who  helped  at  its 
inception.  In  July  or  August  of  the  year  named,  a  few  of  the  earnest 
Methodists  of  Hennepin  and  vicinity  bethought  them  that  as  their  num- 
bers were  nearly  large  enough  to  form  a  church  society,  it  would  be  well 
to  take  initiative  steps  in  that  direction.  After  some  preliminary  conver- 
sation a  small  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Ritchie,  in  the  vil- 
lage, and  the  first  class  was  enrolled,  consisting  of  the  following  members : 
Hiram  P.  White  and  wife,  Dr.  David  Ritchie  and  wife,  Miss  Betsey  Car- 
penter, afterward  Mrs.  Hays,  Mrs.  Sarah  Bloomfield,  and  perhaps  one  or 
two  other  persons  whose  names  have  been  forgotten.  Another  meeting 
was  held  at  the  same  place  in  November,  1833,  and  further  steps  taken 
toward  forwarding  the  work.  About  this  time  Linas  B.  Skeel  was  added 
to  the  list  as  the  first  convert,  and  Mrs.  Olive  Skeel  and  Mrs.  Emeline 
Durley  also  added  their  names  to  the  membership. 

For  some  time  after  they  had  no  meeting  house  nor  any  convenient 
place  of  worship,  and  met  from  time  to  time  at  the  dwellings  of  the 
brothers. 

In  1834,  Rev.  Zadok  Hall,  the  first  minister,  on  February  16,  at  Dr. 
Ritchie's,  preached  a  sermon,  taking  his  text  from  Matt,  ix.,  12.  Rev. 
Wm.  Arrington  came  the  same  season  at  a  later  date,  and  also  Rev.  John 
St.  Clair,  as  Presiding  Elder. 

Rev.  Father  Walker,  from  Ottawa,  occasionally  came  here  to  look  after 
the  infant  flock,  as  also  did  Rev.  Jesse  Hale  and  Wm.  Royal,  all  Indian 
missionary  preachers. 

During  the  year  1834  there  was  a  revival  of  considerable  strength, 
and  many  new  converts  were  made  and  the  Society  largely  increased  in 
numbers  and  influence. 


IIENNEPIN   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH.  167 

In   1835,  Rev.  A.  E.  Phelps  officiated,  and  Rev.  Asa  McMurtry  in 

1836.  Mr.  Phelps  contributed  his  personal  efforts  largely  toward  build- 
ing the  old  church.    The  latter  part  of  1836,  Hennepin  and  Pekin  circuits 
were  divided  and  changed  to  Hennepin  and  Washington  circuits.     In 

1837,  Rev.  Wm.  Condiff  was  the  preacher,  and  died  at  the  close  of  the 
year,  at  Caledonia. 

In  1838,  Rev.  Zadok  Hall  and  Rev.  Mr.  Moffit  were  sent  here  to  the 
work,  and  were  aided  by  Rev.  S.  W.  D.  Chase',  of  Bloomington,  who 
with  them  made  excellent  progress  in  procuring  new  members. 

Among  the  other  reverend  gentlemen  who  appeared  at  Hennepin  from 
time  to  time  from  1829  to  1835,  was  Rev.  Mr.  Cook,  a  Presbyterian,  father 
of  Hon.  B.  C.  Cook,  formerly  of  Ottawa,  now  of  Chicago.  Rev.  Mr. 
Hays  was  a  local  preacher  of  Hennepin  and  vicinity  for  many  years,  and 
among  the  first  who  came  to  this  locality.  He  put  up  the  first  frame 
house  on  Henry  prairie,  and  one  of  the  first  frame  houses  in  the  village. 

In  1839,  Rev.  John  Morris  came  and  officiated  occasionally,  and  Rev. 
John  appeared  and  took  charge  of  the  Church  about  1840. 

The  first  records  commence  in  the  Trustees'  book,  June  14,  1836. 

Efforts  had  been  made  to  raise  money  to  build  a  meeting  house,  but 
with  ill  success,  and  we  find  them  in  1837  adopting  an  order  to  refund 
the  small  sums  of  money  which  had  been  raised  for  that  purpose. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Lacon  and  Hennepin  Conference,  February  25, 
1839,  Joseph  Caterlin,  David  Markley,  Thomas  Forney,  Jacob  G.  Forney, 
Hiram  P.  White,  Linus  B.  Skeel  and  J.  P.  Hays  were  appointed  Trus- 
tees of  the  Hennepin  Church,  the  first  Board  regularly  chosen  for  this 
Society. 

March  2,  1839,  the  Trustees  "met  at  Hennepin  for  the  purpose  of 
attempting  to  build  a  church."  They  figured  out  a  plan  for  a  modest 
frame  meeting  house,  twenty-six  by  thirty-six  feet.  A  subscription  paper 
was  circulated  and  the  cash  retxirns  were  such  as  to  warrant  the  immedi- 
ate prosecution  of  the  work.  The  house  was  accordingly  built  and  occu- 
pied the  same  fall  and  for  years  after,  and  now  stands,  used  as  a  private 
dwelling,  a  few  rods  to  the  rear  of  the  larger  and  more  pretentious  strac- 
ture.  The  old  house,  however,  was  for  some  time  under  a  cloud  of  debt, 
which  for  a  long  time  the  young  and  struggling  pioneer  church  could  not 
lift.  At  length  they  succeeded  in  removing  this  incubus,  and  on  the  13th 
of  August,  1842,  the  Trustees  met  and  adopted  a  resolution,  "That  all 


168  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

persons  having  claims  against  the  Church  present  the  same  forthwith,  by 
Saturday  following,  for  full  settlement."  This  seems  to  have  been  done, 
and  the  church  dedicated  on  the  next  Sabbath,  by  Elder  A.  E.  Phelps. 

In  1858,  the  congregation  having  outgrown  the  capacity  of  the  old 
building,  proceeded  to  erect  the  present  church  edifice,  a  handsome  struc- 
ture of  two  stories,  forty  feet  by  sixty,  divided  below  into  lecture  and 
class  rooms,  and  above  a  finely  decorated,  finished  and  furnished  church 
room,  which  bids  fair  to  afford  ample  accommodations  for  the  people  for 
many  years  to  come.  It  cost  $10,000,  has  two  good  organs,  and  is  well 
seated,  having  comfortable  pews  for  450  to  500  persons.  It  was  dedicated 
November  29,  1866,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Cummings,  of  Lacon.  Before  being 
finished  the  basement  was  completed,  and  services  held  therein  by  Rev.  A. 
C.  Price. 

A  neat  parsonage  stands  near  by  in  the  same  lot  with  the  church,  cost- 
ing about  $600. 

In  1879,  the  Presiding  Elder  was  J.  D.  Smith;  Pastor,  J.  M.  Murphy; 
Recording  Steward,  L.  E.  Skeel. 

The  Society  numbers  about  seventy-five  in  good  standing,  and  the 
church  and  parsonage  are  free  from  debt. 

HENNEPIN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

As  early  as  1845  the  Catholic  people  of  Hennepin  and  vicinity  began 
to  hold  public  religious  exercises,  and  the  Brothers  of  the  Lazarus  So- 
ciety of  La  Salle  sent  different  priests  there  to  minister  to  the  spiritual 
wants  of  the  communicants  of  the  Church.  The  first  remembered  priest 

who  visited  this  place  was  an  Italian,  Rev.  Father ,  who  also 

occasionally  conducted  services  in  Henry. 

Among  the  other  earlier  missionaries  of  this  faith  were  Rev.  Fathers 
Gregory  and  Anthony,  the  latter  in  1848,  both  coming  at  intervals  de- 
pending upon  circumstances,  such  as  deaths  or  the  sickness  of  some  Cath- 
olic who  desired  the  last  sacrament.  When  here  upon  such  occasions,  the 
people  would  be  notified,  an  altar  improvised  in  some  one  of  the  more 
commodious  dwellings,  and  mass  duly  celebrated;  and  now  and  then  a 
priest  would  come  from  Peoria,  or  even  St.  Louis,  to  minister  to  the  spir- 
itual wants  of  the  faithful  and  look  after  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  Church. 

There  was  no  successful  attempt  to  have  regular  services  oftener  than 
once  a  month,  until  about  June,  1852,  when  sufficient  money  was  raised 


A   CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH   ORGANIZED.  169 

for  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  It  was  a  plain  frame  structure, 
twenty-four  by  forty  feet.  This  furnished  ample  room  for  the  congrega- 
tion till  aboil  t  186(5,  when  an  addition  was  put  up,  making  the  building 
twenty-four  by  sixty  feet,  with  fifteen  feet  ceiling.  The  cost  of  both  was 
about  $2,500,  and  the  organ,  altars,  seats  and  lamps  about  $1,000  more. 
About  seventy-five  families  now  constitute  its  regular  membership. 

Those  who  next  to  the  priests  took  the  lead  of  the  Church  were  An- 
thony Failing,  Chas.  Trerweiler,  Henry  Eeavey  and  Peter  Feltes.  The 
first  resident  priest  was  Rev.  Father  Deif  en  brock,  who  came  about  1867. 

THE  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

In  September,  1874,  Miss  Ella  DeVoe,  of  Hennepin,  wrote  to  Rev. 
Wm.  E.  Catlin,  detailing  the  needs  of  a  church  at  this  place,  and  set  forth 
the  prospects  of  effecting  an  organization  in  such  an  eloquent  manner  as 
to  induce  that  gentleman  to  come  and  co-operate  in  the  movement.  He 
arrived  October  17,  and  on  the  following  Sabbath  preached  by  invitation 
in  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  at  the  Court  House  on  Sunday,  October  25. 

At  a  meeting  for  consultation  immediately  after  the  Sabbath  morning 
service,  it  was  decided  to  not  then  take  any  steps  toward  the  form- 
ation of  a  society,  but  a  prayer-meeting  was  appointed  for  the  next  Wed- 
nesday evening,  and  the  following  paper  presented  : 

We,  the  undersigned,  believing  that  another  Evangelical  Church  in  this  community 
would  be  for  its  spiritual  and  temporal  good,  have  thought  it  best  for  the  present  to  asso- 
ciate ourselves  together  for  the  purpose  of  holding  public  and  social  worship  at  such  times 
and  places  as  shall  appear  best,  hoping  in  that  way,  with  God's  blessing,  to  develop  such  an 
interest  as  may  in  time  warrant  a  more  perfect  organization.  To  this  endeavor  we  pledge 
ourselves,  and  invite  the  hearty  co-operation  of  all  who  are  like-minded. 

This  was  circulated,  but  did  not  receive  a  single  signature ! 

Weekly  prayer-meetings  were  kept  up  and  well  attended,  but  Mi1. 
Catlin,  discouraged  with  the  propect,  finally  left  the  place.  The  next 
appeal  was  to  John  E.  Roy,  a  Home  Missionary,  who  came  December  12, 
began  and  pursued  his  labors  with  great  industry,  and  soon  accomplished 
the  desired  end. 

The  numbers  increased  from  two  to  fifteen,  when  the  Church  was  or- 
ganized with  the  following  membership :  Aug.  Shepherd,  Mrs.  Ellen  Shep- 
herd, David  Field,  James  Adams,  Miss  R.  Ellis  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Ham  by 
letters  from  the  Congregational  Church,  Granville;  Martin  Nash,  letter 


170  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

from  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Granville ;  Miss  Ella  DeVoe,  letter  from 
the  Congregational  Church  of  Forrest ;  T.  J.  Nicholl,  certificate  from  Epis- 
copal Church;  Mrs.  Ellen  Nicholl,  same;  Chas.  M.  Shepherd,  letter  from 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  Memphis,  Tenn. ;  Miss  Clara  Lamm,  Miss  Emma 
Connelly,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Durley  and  P.  B.  Durley,  on  profession. 

The  officers  chosen  were :  David  Field  and  James  Field,  Deacons ;  Wil- 
liamson Durley,  Aug.  Shepherd  and  T.  J.  Nicholl,  Trustees;  Miss  Ella 
DeVoe,  Clerk;  P.  B.  Durley,  Treasurer. 

A  council  was  called,  and  the  Church  organized  December  22,  1874. 
Rev.  A.  J.  Bailey  was  at  once  called  as  pastor,  and  began  his  labors  Jan- 
uary 24,  1875,  the  Church  in  the  meantime  having  been  supplied  by  Rev. 
F.  Bascom.  Services  were  held  in  a  room  at  the  public  school  building, 
the  exclusive  use  of  which  was  offered  the  Society  by  the  School  Board. 

A  Sunday  School  class  was  organized  December  27,  1874.  April  5, 
1875,  a  business  meeting  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
building  of  a  church  edifice.  A  building  committee  was  appointed,  and 
by  the  united  efforts  of  the  Society  ground  was  broken  May  16,  1875,  and 
liberal  aid  obtained  from  the  citizens  generally.  The  Congregational 
Union  contributed  $450  in  aid  of  the  building,  which  was  completed  and 
dedicated  December  22,  1875,  just  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  organi- 
zation. The  building  and  site  cost  $4,317.90.  In  1878,  a  1,050  pound 
bell  was  hung,  at  a  total  expense  of  $330.53. 

Forty  persons  had  united  with  the  Church  up  to  April,  1878,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  original  fifteen,  but  a  few  deaths  and  dismissals  had  made  the 
membership  forty-six  persons. 

This  religious  Society,  called  the  "  Congregational  Church  of  Christ  of 
Hennepin,"  is  organized  on  the  "Declaration  of  Faith"  adopted  by  the 
National  Council  of  the  Congregational  Churches  held  at  Boston  in  June, 
18(55,  on  the  spot  where  the  first  meeting-house  of  the  Pilgrims  stood. 

This  Church,  in  a  series  of  resolutions  adopted  soon  after  its  organiza- 
tion, and  circulated  in  a  history  of  the  Society  published  in  pamphlet 
form,  declared  that, 

WHEREAS,  There  is  a  tendency  to  the  desecration  of  the  Lord's  day,  by  turning  it  from 
its  proper  use  to  a  day  of  social  visiting,  a  time  for  unusual  feasting,  for  walking  the  streets 
and  driving  for  pleasure,  and  in  many  other  ways  destroying  its  sacredness  and  hindering  its 
usefulness  for  religious  edification  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  do  earnestly  protest  against  this  prevailing  sin,  and  call  on  Christians 
and  all  others  to  honor  the  Lord  by  a  proper  observance  of  His  day  ;  and  we  do  earnestly  en- 


EARLY    EDUCATIONAL    FACILITIES.  171 

treat  all  to  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day"  by  reading  the  Scriptures,  by  appropriate  religious 
exercises  at  home,  by  meditation  and  prayer,  by  attending  the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  and 
by  observing  the  day  in  every  way  as  the  Scriptures  direct.'' 

Another  resolution  recommends    daily  family   worship,  another   de- 
nounces intemperance,  and  a  fourth  is  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  any  deviation  in  business,  society  or  politics,  from  the  strict  principles  of 
integrity,  as  taught  in  the  Scriptures,  we  deem  a  sufficient  cause  for  censure. 


THE  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  Hennepin  was  taught  by  Thomas  Gallaher  in  1833, 
in  a  log  house  almost  diagonally  opposite  the  present  flouring  mill  site, 
on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  public  Hall. 

In  1835,  school  was  kept  in  the  old  Simpson  Tavern,  in  the  room  used 
sometimes  as  a  hall. 

In  183(5  there  was  a  school  in  the  old  Presbyterian  meeting  house.  In 
1837  another  was  held  in  the  old  Court  House. 

Calvin  Dickey  in  1842  conducted  a  private  school  in  a  log  cabin  near 
where  Mrs.  Reed  now  lives. 

In  1843  a  frame  school  house  was  erected  on  High  street,  and  soon 
after  moved  further  up  to  near  and  east  of  the  present  public  school  build- 
ing, where  a  school  was  taught  until  the  new  house  was  completed. 

All  these  schools  were  run  on  the  subscription  plan.  The  free  public 
schools  began  in  1845,  in  the  building  put  up  by  subscription  as  an  acad- 
emy, that  scheme  having  been  abandoned  and  the  property  turned  over  to 
the  district. 

School  houses  were  poorly  constructed,  and  the  rooms  were  shared  by 
others  than  those  seeking  to  climb  the  hill  of  science.  One  person  tells  us 
of  finding  a  huge  rattlesnake  coiled  beneath  the  benches,  and  occasionally 
a  skunk  would  get  under  the  floor  and  make  it  decidedly  "warm"  for  the 
inmates  while  he  remained.  Mice  were  frequent  visitors,  and  one  of 
the  pupils,  now  a  staid  and  dignified  business  man,  remembers  how 
he  and  a  chum  used  to  place  a  boy's  cap  on  the  floor,  with  a  stick  to 
hold  one  edge  up  and  a  string  to  pull  the  stick  out  when  the  unsuspect- 
ing mouse  went  under  to  eat  a  bit  of  bread  temptingly  displayed,  and  how 


172  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

they  caught  the  mouse  and  then  a  wholesome  flogging  at  the  hands  of  the 
irate  pedagogue. 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 

MASONS. 

October  3,  1849,  the  Masons  of  Hennepin  obtained  a  charter  and  or- 
ganized Lodge  No.  70.  The  first  members,  as  named  in  that  instrument, 
were  John  Pulsifer,  Thomas  Hartzell,  Ben.  R.  Wardlaw,  Wm.  D.  Mann, 
Nathaniel  Applegate,  John  Folger,  John  Hall,  Abram  Phillips,  Brown 
Searls  and  E.  Mott.  The  officers  were :  Abram  Phillips,  M. ;  John  Searls, 
S.  W.;  John  Pulsifer,  J.  W. 

The  first  lodge  rooms  were  in  Hartenbower's  house,  north-west  of  the 
Court  House.  They  now  occupy  rooms  in  Mrs.  Flora  Zenor's  building. 
A  Chapter  is  connected  with  this  Lodge,  organized  in  1879. 

The  fraternity  are  in  a  good  financial  condition,  and  keep  their  So- 
ciety in  an  active  and  sound  state,  numbering  among  its  members  many  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  the  community. 

HENNEPIN    ODD    FELLOWS. 

Hennepin  Lodge  No.  118,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  installed  March  24,  1853. 
The  charter  members  were :  Oakes  Turner,  Thomas  H.  Bradway,  N.  Pick- 
ering, John  S.  Margison  and  Wm.  H.  Smith.  The  first  officers  of  the 
Lodge  were :  O.  Turner,  N.  G. ;  J.  S.  Margison,  V.  G. ;  Wm.  Eddy,  Sec- 
retary; N.  G.  Pickering,  Treasurer. 

The  persons  initiated  the  evening  of  the  installation  of  the  Lodge 
were:  A.  H.  Turner,  L.  E.  Skeel,  Wm.  Allen,  Wm.  Eddy,  S.  B.  Wharton 
and  Willard  White. 

The  Society  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  numbers  among  its  mem- 
bers many  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  town. 


THE  BUEL  INSTITUTE. 

This  is  not  only  the  oldest  Agricultural  Society  in  Central  Illinois, 
but  the  first  formed  in  the  entire  West.  The  initiatory  steps  were  taken 
to  organize  it,  February  23,  1846,  at  Lowell,  LaSalle  County.  J.  S.  Bui- 


FIRST    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY    IN    THE    WEST.  173 

lock  was  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  Elmer  Baldwin,  Secretaiy.  After 
some  general  debate  and  informal  talk  among  the  four  or  five  farmers 
assembled,  a  resolution  was  adopted  "To  form  a  society  out  of  the  friends 
of  the  movement  living  in  that  part  of  La  Salle  County  south  of  the  Illi- 
nois River,  and  so  much  of  the  counties  of  Putnam  and  Marshall  as  may 
choose  to  unite." 

Elmer  Baldwin,  R.  C.  Elliot  and  L.  L.  Bullock,  of  La  Salle,  Ralph 
Ware,  of  Putnam,  and  Wm.  M.  Clarkson,  of  Marshall,  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  draft  a  constitution  and  report. 

March  1 8  another  meeting  was  had  at  the  same  place,  where  a  consti- 
tution was  reported  by  the  committee,  and  adopted.  The  first  officers 
were  then  elected,  and  were:  Elmer  Baldwin,  President;  Ralph  Ware, 
Wm.  M.  Clarkson  and  John  T.  Little,  Vice  Presidents;  Dr.  J.  S.  Bullock, 
Treasurer;  Oakes  Turner,  Corresponding  Secretary;  L.  L.  Bullock,  Re- 
cording Secretary. 

They  adjourned  to  meet  at  Granville  the  first  Tuesday  of  June,  when 
Mr.  Baldwin  was  appointed  to  deliver  an  address.  At  this  meeting  and 
subsequent  ones  within  a  short  time,  one  hundred  and  seventy  persons 
were  induced  to  sign  the  Constitution  and  pay  into  the  treasury  fifty 
cents,  which  constituted  the  membership  fee.  At  this  meeting  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  discussing  important  topics  connected  with  fanning, 
stock-raising,  fruit-growing  and  the  like,  the  question  to  be  agreed  upon 
at  the  previous  meeting. 

These  meetings  were  to  be  held  every  three  months,  at  some  place  easy 
of  access  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Society. 

At  the  first  meeting  at  Granville  the  subject  was,  "The  best  mode  of 
cultivating  corn."  At  this  meeting  also  an  annual  fair  was  decided  upon, 
to  be  held  at  Lowell,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  October. 

These  discussions  took  a  wide  range  as  to  subjects,  bringing  within 
their  scope  everything  relative  to  the  farming  interest,  and  at  an  early 
day,  almost  from  the  first  meeting,  people  attended  from  a  distance,  com- 
ing on  horseback  many  miles  at  inclement  seasons  of  the  year ;  and  the 
ladies,  too,  became  regular  attendants  at  these  gatherings,  looking  forward 
to  their  recurrence  with  pleasing  anticipation.  They  were  really  profita- 
ble to  the  thinking  fanner,  and  should  be  a  feature  of  every  agriciiltural 
society. 

The  meetings  for  debates  were  fixed  for  the  first  Tuesdays  of  Decem- 
ber, March,  June  and  September  each  year,  the  place  to  be  chosen  at  the 


174  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

previous  quarterly  meeting;  also,  every  member  was  requested  to  keep  a 
memorandum  of  each  crop  planted,  how  tended,  harvested,  and  the  re- 
sults, and  report. 

The  Fair  of  1846  was  abandoned,  in  consequence  of  the  great  amount 
of  sickness  then  prevailing  throughout  the  country.  The  quarterly  meet- 
ings, however,  were  regularly  held  at  Lowell,  Caledonia,  Point  Republic, 
Cedar  Point,  Granville  and  Magnolia  in  turn,  and  leading  members  deliv- 
ered addresses  and  read  essays,  while  oral  discussions  were  freely  in- 
dulged in. 

Though  the  general  Fair  was  not  held,  a  local  exhibition  was  gotten 
up  at  the  farm  of  Wni.  Groom,  October  3,  1847,  and  held  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Society,  but  the  record  makes  no  mention  of  any  premiums 
having  been  awarded. 

The  second  regular  Fair  was  appointed  to  be  held  at  Granville,  Octo- 
ber 6,  1848,  and  premiums  were  offered, — probably  badges  and  honorable 
mention,  as  no  amount  of  premiums  is  stated. 

At  the  Third  Annual  Fair,  which  was  held  at  Lowell,  one  hundred 
dollars  was  voted  for  prizes,  and  "two  solicitors  "  were  chosen  to  circulate 
among  the  people  to  raise  the  funds  therefor.  "  The  Executive  Commit- 
tee were  also  notified  that  they  place  on  their  show  bills  a  request  that 
there  be  no  horse  racing  in  or  near  the  show  ground"  ! 

All  future  fairs  were  to  last  two  days;  evidence  that  the  last  fair  had 
been  too  extensive  to  be  satisfactorily  viewed  in  one  day. 

Granville  was  honored  with  the  Fourth  Fair.     Upon   this    occasion 

the  Society  adopted  a  resolution  as  follows: 

• 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  recommend  that  all  male  animals  be  not  allowed  to  run  at 
large. 

They  also  considered  it  wise  to  advertise  the  coming  exhibition,  and  to 
this  end  directed  the  committee  to  procure  one  hundred  show  bills  and 
one  hundred  premium  cards,  and  the  committee  were  directed  if  possible 
to  procure  a  "derometer  "  / 

The  membership  fee  in  1850  was  raised  to  $1.50  per  annum,  and  the 
next  fair  appointed  at  Hennepin. 

The  Fifth  Annual  Fair,  the  first  at  Hennepin,  was  duly  held,  and  was 
rather  more  expensive  than  any  of  its  predecessors,  but  seems  to  have 
been  proportionately  successful.  The  musicians  cost  $5.00,  and  the  door- 


MB.  GALLAHER'S  "NIGGER -HEAD"  GRIST-MILL.  175 

keeper  $2.     The  exhibitors  of  fruits  donated  their  samples  to  the  Society, 
which  goods  being  sold  at  auction,  netted  as  follows: 

C.  R.  &  N.  Overman,  Canton,  Fulton  County,  $1.50. 

Arthur  Bryant,  Bureau,  60  cents. 

Underbill  &  Co.,  LaSalle,  65  cents. 

A.  R.  Whiting,  Lee  County,  $1.10. 

Cyrus  Bryant,  Bureau,  65  cents. 

McWhorter  &  Co.,  Mercer  County,  $1.22. 

L.  P.  Pennington,  Whiteside  County,  fl.20. 

H.  N.  Shooler,  Putnam  County,  70  cents. 

This  indicates  that  the  Fair  was  widely  known  and  well  patronized. 

The  Treasurer's  report  for  1851  exhibited:  Admissions  $74.00.  Ex- 
penses—  music  $5.00;  printer  $22.25;  premiums  in  full,  $15.50;  and  cash 
above  all  expenses,  $144.80. 

This  Society  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  first  suggesting  to  the  Govern- 
ment a  Bureau  or  Department  of  Agriculture.  In  June,  1851,  the  sub- 
ject came  up  and  was  fully  discussed  by  the  Institute,  and  the  result  of 
this  debate  was  a  petition,  signed  by  the  leading  farmers  of  Putnam,  Mar- 
shall and  La  Salle  Counties,  which  was  forwarded  to  our  Representatives 
at  Washington,  in  which  was  set  forth  the  importance  to  the  country  of 
agriculture,  the  basis  of  all  pursuits,  and  urging  upon  Congress  to  protect, 
foster  and  encourage  it.  Thus  the  matter  came  before  that  body  from  a 
respectable  source,  and  was  not  only  heard,  but  acted  upon,  and  resulted 
in  forming  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  as  stated. 

The  Fairs  were  held  at  Peru  one  or  two  years,  but  the  disadvantage 
of  moving  about  without  permanent  buildings  or  grounds ;  the  growth  of 
the  Society,  and  the  importance  and  increasing  size  of  its  annual  exhibi- 
tions made  a  permanent  location  necessary,  and  the  Society  settled  upon 
Hennepin  as  central  and  sufficiently  accessible  from  all  directions  for  the 
purpose. 

Fairs  are  held  here  every  year,  but  of  late  years  the  exhibitions  of  this 
veteran  Society  are  overshadowed  by  the  greater  magnitude  of  the  neigh- 
boring fairs  at  Princeton,  Wenona  and  Ottawa. 


THE  GALLAHER  AND  OTHER  MILLS. 

The  pioneer  mill  for  grinding  any  kind  of  grain  in  all  this  region  of 
country  was  put  up  by  Thos.  Gallaher,  Sr.,  in  the  fall  of  1828.     The 


17(5  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

burrs  were  "nigger-heads,"  or  dark  granite  boulders  found  upon  the 
prairies,  such  as  geologists  tell  us  belong  to  the  "drift"  period,  and  were 
brought  here  from  high  northern  latitudes  some  hundreds  of  centu- 
ries ago.  Mr.  Gallaher  dressed  these  firm-grained  rocks  himself,  drilled 
holes  in  them  and  wrought  upon  them  at  odd  spells  for  a  long  time,  ex- 
hausting a  large  stock  of  patience  upon  their  stubborn  and  ragged  outlines 
before  he  could  reduce  them  to  a  fit  shape  and  finish  for  his  purpose.  The 
mill  was  built  on  a  hill  or  slight  elevation  in  Section  30,  one  mile  south 
of  Florid.  The  building  was  of  logs,  sixteen  feet  square.  A  shaft  was 
set  up  outside,  and  holes  mortised  in  it  for  arms.  A  raw-hide  band  was 
stretched  around,  connecting  the  shaft  with  the  upper  stone,  and  with  two 
or  four  horses  was  made  to  revolve,  and  thus  turned  the  stones.  In  this 
primitive  manner  a  couple  of  bushels  of  corn  could  be  ground  in  an  hour. 
One  of  taese  old  burrs  was  sold  to  a  Mr.  Trusten,  who  removed  it  to 
Sandy  Creek,  where  it  was  used  for 'a  time,  and  afterward  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Bowers,  and  now  is  a  step  in  front  of  Merrill's  store  in  the 
village  of  Magnolia.  At  first  the  corn-meal,  bran  and  all  were  delivered 
to  the  customer,  but  a  year  or  so  after  a  sieve  was  added,  when  he  also 
began  to  make  wheat  flour,  improvising  some  sort  of  bolting  apparatus. 

Two  years  thereafter  Mr.  Gallaher  employed  Mi1.  Shugart  to  make 
cog-wheel  gearing,  which  greatly  accelerated  the  speed,  and  a  bolt  was 
also  put  in.  With  four  horses — two  on  each  sweep, — he  could  now 
grind  and  bolt  about  three  bushels  per  hour.  At  this  time  there  was  no 
flouring  mill  nearer  than  Salt  Creek,  Sangamon  County,  eighty  miles 
away. 

About  1832,  Hollenback  built  a  mill  near  Magnolia,  the  second  in  the 
County,  greatly  relieving  the  pressure  on  the  Gallaher  mill,  which  up  to 
that  time  had  done  all  the  grinding  for  the  settlers  for  many  miles  around. 

Gallaher's  mill  continued  to  run  until  about  1836. . 

In  1831,  Simeon  Crozier  erected  a  water  power  mill  on  Cedar  Creek, 
which  attracted  some  little  custom  from  the  north-eastern  corner  of  Gran- 
ville  Township. 

A  mill  located  at  Vermilionville  ground  much  of  the  wheat  for  the 
farmers  of  this  region,  and  sometimes  they  patronized  John  Green's  mills, 
at  Dayton,  four  miles  above  Ottawa,  on  Fox  River. 


INCIDENTS    AND    ANECDOTES    OF    PIONEER   LIFE. 


177 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

GREAT    SNOWS. 

OE  several  years,  beginning  with  1828,  heavy  falls  of  snow 
were  experienced,  of   which   the  early  settlers  have  vivid 
remembrances.     In  that  year  Thomas  Gallaher,  Sr.,  brought 
up  from  Dillon's  settlement  150  head  of  cattle,  eighty  sheep, 
and   100  hogs,  known  as   the  Shaker  breed,   having  been 
brought  from  Ohio.     He  had  secured  a  crop  of  hay,  but  it 
was  beneath  the  deep  snow  that  everywhere  covered  the 
ground,  and  could  not  be  reached.    There  was  an  abund- 
ance of  "mast"  that  season,  and  his  hogs  took  to  the  woods, 
and  rooting  beneath  the  snow,  fared  well.     Many  of  them  escaped  to  the 
bottoms  and  became  in  a  measure    wild.     His  cattle    and   sheep   fared 
worse,  many  of  them  dying. 

Seeing  the  necessity  of  procuring  feed  for  his  stock,  Mr.  Gallaher  sent 
his  son  Thomas,  Jr.,  and  a  young  man  named  Kelly  to  Crozier's,  in  La- 
Salle  County,  where  it  was  reported  feed  could  be  had.  They  had  a  sin- 
gle horse  between  them,  which  they  alternately  rode.  They  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  finding  corn,  and  were  returning  by  Bailey's  Point,  when  they 
struck  a  swampy  place  north  and  east  of  Granville,  where  Kelly  got  wet 
and  froze  both  his  feet.  The  locality  was  long  after  known  as  Frozen 
Point. 

Mr.  Gallaher's  stock  became  so  weakened  toward  spring,  by  reason 
of  scanty  feed,  that  he  feared  their  entire  loss  unless  more  nutritious  food 
could  be  had,  and  the  nearest  or  most  feasible  place  where  it  could  be 
procured  was  some  distance  below  Peoria. 

He  and  Mr.  Kelly  went  to  Hennepin,  (the  young  man's  feet  still  much 
swollen,  the  result  of  the  freezing),  where  they  hoped  to  get  boats  from 
the  Indian  traders,  but  none  were  to  be  had.  He  next  visited  Shick- 
Shack's  camp,  hoping  to  obtain  canoes,  but  the  chief  and  his  men  had 
gone  to  "Coch-a-Mink,"  as  the  Indians  called  Fort  Clark,  with  his  boats 
loaded  with  furs.  Although  unsuccessful  in  both  these  attempts,  Mr.  Gal- 
laher was  not  a  man  to  be  discouraged.  His  cattle  and  sheep  were 


178  EECOBDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

not  only  on  short  allowance,  but  his  family  were  "  out  of  meat,"  and  he 
felt  that  something  must  be  done  at  once;  so  he  determined  to  push  on 
to  the  probable  land  of  corn.  Young  Kelly,  though  suffering  severely, 
insisted  on  accompanying  him,  and  together  they  started  on  foot.  The 
river  was  high,  and  the  streams  emptying  into  it  were  swollen  by  the 
melting  shows.  They  had  neither  guides  nor  assistance,  but  reached  their 
destination  safely. 

They  found  there  plenty  of  corn  and  meal,  but  no  boats.  Here  again 
Mr.  Gallaher's  grit  was  put  to  the  test,  and  getting  a  couple  of  axes,  he 
and  his  man  went  into  the  woods,  and  cutting  down  a  suitable  tree,  made 
and  launched  a  large  dug-out.  Purchasing  one  hundred  bushels  of  corn, 
fifty  bushels  of  corn-meal,  a  barrel  of  salt  and  some  groceries,  they  started 
for  home,  and  after  many  days  of  hard  work,  they  reached  the  head  of 
what  is  now  the  Sister  Islands,  and  landed.  This  was  about  the  second 
week  of  April.  Grass  had  begun  to  grow,  but  as  yet  there  was  but  little 
feeding  for  stock.  Having  no  way  to  haul  his  grain  to  the  farm  through 
the  woods,  he  drove  his  cattle  to  the  boat,  and  there  fed  such  of  them  as 
could  get  to  the  river,  and  others  were  assisted  until  all  were  able  to  sus- 
tain themselves. 

But  the  great  snow  was  in  1829-30,  according  to  some,  and  in  1830- 
31  according  to  others,  though  it  is  possible  both  seasons  were  noted  in 
this  respect,  and  each  statement  is  correct.  It  made  the  prairies  one 
uniform  level,  over  the  frozen  surface  of  which  footman  easily  trav- 
eled; but  the  sharp  hoofs  of  the  deer  cut  through  and  made  their  capture 
easy.  Stock  was  kept  in  groves  convenient  to  the  cabins,  and  subsisted 
on  the  tender  tops  of  trees  cut  down  to  "browse"  upon.  There  was  much 
suffering  among  the  few  settlers  in  the  vicinity.  A  man  traveling  on  horse- 
back was  reported  lost  in  the  snow,  and  his  remains  were  found  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  south  of  Peru.  According  to  Mr.  Smiley  Shepherd's  recol- 
lection, it  came  between  Christmas  and  New  Year,  falling  constantly  and 
drifting  for  three  days,  and  then  crusted  over  so  that  the  Indians  were 
enabled  to  run  iipon  the  surface.  It  lasted  until  February  16,  the  day 
of  the  total  eclipse  of  the  sun.  The  next  day  the  weather  turned  warm, 
and  the  snow  melted  and  disappeared  four  days  thereafter. 

A  man  traveling  in  a  wagon,  near  Florid,  was  caught  in  the  snow 
and  had  to  abandon  his  vehicle,  where  it  remained  till  spring.  An- 
other person  named  Swainford,  in  attempting  to  cross  from  Granville 
to  Florid,  had  to  abandon  his  horse.  Returning  next  day  he  found  it  had 


THE   PIONEEB   LASS   WHO"  "  OUT  -BUN   DAD."  179 

been  killed  by  the  wolves.  Another  man  started  with  a  hog  in  a  sled  to 
go  from  Gallaher's  to  Hennepin,  and  got  fast  in  the  drift.  He  went  to 
a  neighbor's,  and  on  his  return  the  hog  had  loosened  the  cords  that  bound 
her  and  struck  out  for  itself.  He  cut  off  its  tail  as  a  mark,  and  let  her 
go,  and  the  next  season  found  her  and  a  litter  of  nice  young  pigs  doing 
well.  She  had  managed  for  herself  in  a  creditable  manner. 

The  summer  of  1836  was  exceedingly  cold  and  backward.  Corn  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Hennepin,  and  especially  on  the  bottoms  and  low 
places,  was  cut  down  when  from  eight  to  ten  inches  high,  on  the  16th  of 
June,  but  as  the  stalks  had  not  yet  jointed,  they  grew  again.  The  weather 
continued  cold  until  fall,  which  came  early,  with  freezing  spells,  and  but 
little  of  it  matured.  The  following  spring  the  farmers  had  much  difficulty 
in  procuring  seed  corn,  and  many  sent  to  the  southern  part  of  the  State 
for  supplies. 

ODD    CHABACTEBS. 

The  settlement  of  a  country  is  usually  preceded  by  a  lawless,  ungov- 
ernable, uncivilized  race,  that  hang  on  the  verge  of  civilization  and  seem 
to  think  their  free  and  easy  existence  the  acme  of  enjoyment.  As  a  rule 
they  are  open-hearted,  brave  and  generous,  and  their  vices  all  "lean  to 
virtue's  side."  They  have  a  weakness  for  poor  whisky,  a  contempt  for 
danger,  are  prompt  to  resent  an  insult,  and  ready  at  all  times  for  a  fight. 
Usually  they  are  honest,  but  being  tempted,  are  liable  to  fall,  and  often 
become  bandits  and  robbers. 

A  representative  man  of  this  class  was  Dave  Jones,  of  unenviable  no- 
toriety. He  was  brave  and  fearless,  and  when  news  came  of  the  massacre 
of  the  Hall  family,  and  all  were  paralyzed  with  fear,  he  saddled  a  horse 
and  rode  alone  to  the  scene  of  murder.  He  once  ran  a  foot  race  with  an 
Irishman  for  a  sum  of  money.  They  were  to  go  to  a  certain  point  and 
return,  and  the  Irishman  started  off  at  his  best,  while  Dave  walked  leis- 
urely down  the  track  until  meeting  his  opponent  on  the  return,  he  knocked 
him  down,  came  in  first  and  claimed  the  stakes.  The  Irishman  deter- 
mined to  get  even  with  him,  and  when  Dave  was  drunk,  beat  him  so 
badly  that,  believing  the  man  would  die,  he  fled  the  place.  But  Dave 
recovered,  and  lived  for  many  a  day  after.  For  years  there  was  not  a 
session  of  court  in  which  he  did  not  figure  as  defendant  in  cases  where  the 
people  were  plaintiffs.  He  was  the  first  occupant  of  the  Hennepin  jail, 
and  its  frequent  tenant  afterward  For  several  years  he  lived  in  the  tim- 


180  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

ber  west  of  Granville,  where  he  raised  a  family  as  wild  and  untamed  as 
himself.  He  had  a  stout,  healthy  daughter,  a  dozen  or  more  years  old, 
whom  he  undertook  to  send  to  school,  but  with  the  perverseness  of  her 
sire,  she  refused,  telling  him  flatly  she  would  n't  go.  She  was  fleet  of  foot, 
and  when  Dave  essayed  the  persuasive  virtues  of  a  healthy-sized  whip, 
she  ran  away,  with  her  irate  sire  in  hot  pursuit.  Not  far  from  the  house 
was  a  pond  of  water  with  a  substratum  of  deep  mud,  round  which  she 
skipped,  but  Dave,  hoping  to  cut  her  off  on  the  opposite  side,  dashed 
through.  The  depth  was  greater  than  expected,  and  he  emerged  covered 
with  mud  and  half  drowned,  though  he  continued  the  race  to  the  school 
house,  where  pupils  and  teacher  set  up  a  laugh  at  his  plight,  in  which 
Dave  too  joined,  —  his  hopeful  daughter  shaking  her  sides  with  mirthful- 
ness,  and  exclaiming,  "Golly!  I  out-run  dad." 

"  In  thenspring  of  1832  a  dead  Indian  was  found  in  the  creek,  near  the 
present  site  of  the  Bureau  Valley  Mills,  with  a  bullet  hole  in  his  back, 
showing  that  he  came  to  his  death  from  a  rifle  shot.  The  corpse  was 
taken  out  of  the  water  by  Indians,  buried  in  the  sand  near  by,  and  the 
affair  was  soon  forgotten.  Jones  said  while  hunting  deer  in  the  creek 
bottom,  he  saw  this  Indian  setting  on  a  log  over  the  water,  fishing,  when 
all  of  a  sudden  he  jumped  up  as  though  he  was  about  to  draw  out  a  big 
fish,  and  pitched  headlong  into  the  water,  and  was  drowned  when  he  came 
up  to  him.  Two  other  Indians  disappeared  mysteriously  about  the  same 
time,  who  were  supposed  to  have  been  murdered,  and  on  that  account  it 
is  said  the  Indians  contemplated  taking  revenge  on  the  settlers. 

"One  warm  afternoon  Jones,  with  a  jug  in  one  hand,  came  cantering 
his  old  mare  up  to  the  Hennepin  ferry,  saying  that  his  wife  was  very  sick, 
and  would  certainly  die  if  she  did  not  get  some  whisky  soon.  In  great 
haste  Jones  was  taken  across  the  river,  and  on  landing  on  the  Hennepin 
side  he  put  his  old  mare  on  a  gallop  up  the  bluff  to  Durley's  store,  where 
he  filled  his  jug  with  whisky.  Meeting  with  some  old  chums,  he  soon  be- 
came intoxicated,  forgot  about  his  wife's  sickness,  and  spent  the  afternoon 
and  evening  in  wrestling,  dancing  '  Jim  Crow,'  and  fighting  with  some  of 
his  friends. 

"  It  was  long  after  dark  when  Jones  started  for  home,  but  on  arriving  at 
the  ferry  he  found  the  boat  locked  up,  and  the  ferryman  in  bed.  Jones 
rapped  at  the  door  of  the  ferryman's  house,  swearing  if  he  did  not  get  up 
and  take  him  across  he  would  pull  the  house  down,  and  whip  him  besides. 
But  all  his  threats  were  in  vain ;  the  ferryman  could  not  be  moved.  Jones 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF  "DAVE*'  JONES.  181 

went  down  to  the  river,  took  off  the  bridle  reins,  with  which  he  tied  the 
jug  of  whisky  on  his  back,  then  drove  his  old  mare  into  the  river,  and 
holding  on  to  her  tail,  was  ferried  across  the  river,  as  he  afterward  ex- 
pressed it,  '  without  costing  him  a  cent.' 

"One  afternoon,  while  Dave  Jones  was  engaged  in  cutting  out  a  road 
from  Hennepin  ferry  through  the  bottom  timber,  his  coat,  which  lay  by 
the  wayside,  was  stolen.  Although  the  value  of  the  old  coat  did  not  ex- 
ceed two  dollars,  it  was  all  the*  one  Jones  had,  and  he  searched  for  it 
throughout  the  settlement.  At  last  Jones  found  his  coat  on  the  back  of 
the  thief,  whom  he  arrested  and  took  to  Hennepin  for  trial.  The  thief 
was  at  work  in  Mr.  Hays'  field,  immediately  west  of  Princeton,  when 
Jones  presented  his  rifle  at  his  breast,  ordering  him  to  take  up  his  line  of 
march  for  Hennepin,  and  if  he  deviated  from  the  direct  course,  he  would 
blow  his  brains  out.  The  culprit,  shaking  in  his  boots,  started  on  his 
journey,  while  Jones,  with  his  rifle  on  his  shoulder,  walked  about  three 
paces  behind.  On  arriving  at  Hennepin,  the  thief  plead  guilty,  being 
more  afraid  of  Jones  than  the  penalties  of  the  law,  and  was  therefore  put 
in  jail.  After  Jones  had  delivered  up  his  prisoner,  he  got  drunk,  was  en- 
gaged in  several  fights,  and  he  too  was  arrested  and  put  in  jail.  At  that 
time  the  Hennepin  jail  consisted  of  only  one  room,  being  a  log  structure, 
twelve  feet  square,  and  Jones  being  put  in  with  the  thief,  commenced 
beating  him.  Seeing  that  they  could  not  live  together,  the  thief  was  libe- 
rated and  Jones  retained.  At  this  turn  of  affairs,  Jones  became  penitent, 
agreeing  to  go  home  and  behave  himself  if  they  would  let  him  out.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  Sheriff  took  him  across  the  river  and  set  him  at  liberty; 
but  Jones  swore  he  would  not  go  home  until  he  had  whipped  eveiy  person 
in  Hennepin,  so  he  returned  to  carry  out  his  threats,  but  was  again  arrested 
and  put  in  jail. 

"A  short  time  after  the  Hennepin  ferry  was  established,  Dave  Jones 
was  on  the  Hennepin  side  of  the  river  with  a  wild  yoke  of  cattle,  and 
wished  to  cross  over,  but  was  unwilling  to  pay  the  ferriage.  He  swore 
before  he  would  pay  the  ferryman's  extravagant  price  he  would  swim  the 
river,  saying  that  he  had  frequently  done  it,  and  could  do  it  again.  Jones 
wore  a  long-tailed  Jackson  overcoat,  which  reached  to  his  heels,  and  a  coon- 
skin  cap,  with  the  tail  hanging  down  over  his  shoulders,  the  weather  at 
the  time  being  quite  cool.  He  drove  his  oxen  into  the  river,  taking  the 
tail  of  one  of  them  in  his  mouth,  when  they  started  for  the  opposite  shore. 
Away  went  the  steers,  and  so  went  Dave  Jones,  his  long  hair  and  long- 


182  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

tailed  overcoat  floating  on  the  water,  his  teeth  tightly  fastened  to  the 
steer's  tail,  while  with  his  hands  and  feet  he  paddled  with  all  his  might. 
Everything  went  on  swimmingly  until  they  came  near  the  middle  of  the 
river,  where  the  waters  from  each  side  of  the  island  come  together;  here 
the  current  was  too  strong  for  the  steers, —  they  turned  down  stream,  and 
put  back  for  the  Hennepin  side.  Jones  could  not  open  his  mouth  to  say 
gee  or  haw,  without  losing  his  hold  on  the  steer's  tail,  and  was  therefore 
obliged  to  go  where  the  steers  led  him,  but  all  were  safely  landed  some 
distance  below  the  starting  place.  Jones  was  in  a  terrible  rage  at  his  fail- 
ure to  cross  the  river — beat  his  cattle,  and  cursed  the  bystanders  for 
laughing  at  his  misfortune.  After  taking  a  big  dram  of  whisky,  he  tried 
it  again  but  with  no  better  success.  Three  different  times  Jones  tried 
this  experiment,  each  time  whipping  his  cattle  and  taking  a  fresh  dram  of 
whisky.  At  last  he  was  obliged  to  give  it  up  as  a  bad  job,  and  submit  to 
paying  the  ferryman  the  exorbitant  price  of  twenty-five  cents  to  be  ferried 
over."* 

The  influx  of  settlers  and  the  establishment  of  law  and  order  made  it 
too  sultry  for  Jones,  who  returned  to  Indiana,  where  he  was  hung  by  a 
party  of  regulators  for  his  numerous  crimes.  He  died  as  he  vowed  he 
would,  "with  his  boots  on." 

Another  family  of  semi-outlaws  were  the  Harts,  living  in  the  bottoms 
below  Henry,  between  whom  and  the  Bakers,  living  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie, 
desperate  war  waged  with  varied  success.  They  were  of  the  class  known 
in  the  South  as  poor  white  trash,  and  were  idle,  vicious  and  pugnacious, 
quick  to  take  offense  and  prompt  to  resent  an  insult.  The  question  of 
supremacy  was  never  fairly  settled,  victory  inclining  first  to  one  faction 
and  then  to  another.  At  one  time  a  Baker  challenged  a  Hart,  and  the 
fight  was  arranged  to  come  off  on  a  certain  day.  Hart  perhaps  feared  the 
result  and  was  inclined  to  back  down,  but  when  his  wife  heard  of  it  she 
declared  with  an  oath,  if  he  did  not  fight  Baker  and  whip  him  too  he 
should  not  live  with  her  another  day.  Like  most  borderers,  he  wore  his  hair 
very  long,  and  in  preparation  for  the  contest  she  sheared  it  close  to  his 
head,  divested  him  of  everything  but  his  pants,  smeared  his  body  all  over 
with  soft  soap,  and  sent  him  forth  to  battle.  Baker  canie  on  the  ground 
stripped  likewise  to  the  buff,  with  a  handkerchief  "girt  about  his  loins," 
and  in  the  expressive  language  of  the  ring,  "just  spoiling  for  a  fight,"  and 

*  Beminiscences  of  Bureau  County. 


HENNEPIN, 


PUTNAM  Co. 


A   NEGRO    SOLD    UNDER   THE   VAGRANT    ACT.  185. 

vowing  he  could  whip  any  two  Harts  on  the  ground.  The  latter  was  ar- 
rayed in  a  long  camlet  cloak  that  completely  hid  his  warlike  preparations, 
and  when  asked  if  he  was  ready,  said  "  He  guessed  not ;  he  had  no  quar- 
rel with  Mr.  Baker,  and  did  n't  think  he  could  whip  him."  This  still  more 
excited  the  latter,  who  pranced  round  likt  a  mad  bull,  sayijig  Hart  was  a 
coward  and  dare  not  fight  him.  At  last  the  preliminaries  were  arranged 
and  a  ring  formed,  into  which  the  men  stepped ;  and  Hart,  throwing  off 
his  cloak,  displayed  his  gladiatorial  form  and  careful  preparations.  Baker's 
tactics  were  to  grasp  his  antagonist,  hold  him  fast  and  bite  or  gouge,  as 
circumstances  warranted;  but  the  latter  was  slippery  as  an  eel,  and 
pounded  his  antagonist  severely,  easily  winning  the  fight. 

NEGRO    SOLD    IN   HENNEPIN. 

About  1835,  a  negro  was  sold  in  Hennepin  under  the  operation  of  the 
infamous  black  laws  of  the  State.  He  was  a  refugee  from  below,  and 
probably  reached  here  on  board  one  of  the  many  steamers  plying  on 
the  Illinois.  He  possessed  "no  visible  means  of  siipport,"  and  either 
cared  not  to  work  or  could  not  get  the  opportunity,  and  at  the  instigation 
of  interested  parties  was  arrested  under  the  provisions  of  the  vagrant  act, 
and  advertised  for  sale  for  his  keeping  and  costs.  There  was  an  active 
Abolition  element  at  Granville  and  elsewhere  in  the  County,  and  on  the 
day  of  sale  the  members  were  present,  but  finding  there  was  no  claimant 
present  for  his  person,  nor  any  arranged  plan  to  return  him  to  slavery, 
they  allowed  the  sale  to  go  on,  and  he  brought,  we  believe,  one  dollar  and 
costs.  William  M.  Stewart,  of  Florid,  became  the  purchaser,  who  put 
him  in  the  harvest  field  and  paid  him  regular  wages.  The  "man  and 
brother  "  earned  a  suit  of  clothes  besides  his  freedom,  and  some  money  to 
take  him  on  the  road  to  Canada. 

A  slave  was  brought  to  Union  Grove  in  1830  by  Saml.  D.  Laughlin, 
and  remained  some  time.  He  was  taken  to  Chicago  by  Thomas  Hart/ell, 
and  sent  on  his  way. 

HARD    FOR   BACHELORS. 

In  1833  there  were  eleven  families,  all  told,  in  Hennepin,  half  a 
dozen  marriageable  females,  and  about  forty  eligible  bachelors  and  wid- 
owers. Of  course  the  former  were  in  good  demand  among  the  young  set- 
tlers wanting  wives,  but  the  widowers  had  the  inside  track  and  carried  off 
the  best  ones. 


1 86  RECORDS   OF   TttE   OLDEN   TIME. 

In  those  days  an  extensive  outfit  and  wedding  trip  were  not  thought 
of,  for  both  parties  "  meant  business,"  and  proceeded  in  a  business  way. 
The  groom  prepared  his  cabin  for  its  new  occupant,  and  she,  dressed  in  a 
clean  calico  gown,  with  hair  nicely  combed,  was  ready  for  the  ceremony. 
Next  the  services  of  a  minister  were  invoked,  a  few  friends  called  in,  and 
a  bountiful  supper  of  venison  and  johnny-cake  concluded  the  festivities, 
after  which  the  bride  was  conducted  to  her  future  home,  and  their  new 
life  began.  For  ten  years  there  was  a  marked  scarcity  of  marriageable 
women,  and  the  first  indictment  in  the  County  (as  stated  elsewhere)  was 
found  against  a  man  for  having  two  wives.  The  culprit,  a  man  named 
Hall,  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Hennepin,  in  a  small  cabin,  and  claimed  to 
have  been  lawfully  married  to  the  two  women  with  whom  he  lived,  and 
that  his  religious  views  justified  his  conduct. 

The  jurymen,  most  of  whom  were  bachelors,  thought  it  smacked  too 
much  of  monopoly,  and  some  favored  hanging  as  an  example  for  the  future, 
but  their  advice  was  not  taken. 

What  was  strange  about  it  was  that  the  women  seemed  satisfied,  and 
on  hearing  what  had  been  done  by  the  grand  jury,  voluntarily  followed 
their  much  married  husband  elsewhere. 

A    PREACHER    ANSWERED. 

Somewhere  about  1831,  a  minister  named  Jesse  Hale  came  to  Henne- 
pin to  establish  a  mission  among  the  Indians.  He  was  a  man  of  simple 
faith  and  very  earnest,  believing  himself  able  to  convert  and  civilize  them 
if  only  a  hearing  could  be  obtained. 

Old  Louis  Bailey  was  sent  for  as  an  interpreter,  and  the  Indians  came 
from  far  and  near.  Hale  mounted  a  stump  in  the  woods  below  Henne- 
pin, and  harangued  his  dusky  audience  for  an  hour.  When  the  intrepre- 
ter  had  translated  the  last  sentence  into  the  Pottawatomie  dialect,  old 
Shaubena  came  forward,  and  motioning  silence,  made  reply:  "To  what 
white  preacher  say,  I  say  may  be  so !  Are  all  white  men  good  \  I  say  may 
be  so  !  Do  white  men  cheat  Indian  I  I  say  may  be  so.  Governor  Cole 
gave  me,  Shaubena,  hunting  grounds,  and  told  me  to  hunt.  Your  big 
White-sides  (General  Whiteside)  come  along  and  tell  Shaubena  puck  a  chee 
(clear  out)."  Here  the  angry  chief  exhibited  his  papers,  bearing  the  sig- 
nature of  the  Governor  and  the  great  seal  of  the  State,  and  throwing  them 
upon  the  ground,  stamped  them  under  his  feet.  Hale  tried  to  pacify  the 


"JERKED"  VENISON — WOLVES — THE  MILITIA.  187 

indignant  chief  by  saying  that  "Whiteside  is  a  bad  white  man;"  where- 
upon Shaubena  retorted,  "If  white  man  steal  Indian's  land,  hang  him!" 
Hale  thought  this  meant  himself,  and  he  fled  through  the  bushes  for  town, 
nor  ever  soiight  to  convert  an  Indian  again. 

A    PARSON    OUT    OF    MEAT. 

During  the  year  1830  the  Gallaher  boys  caught  a  fawn,  which  was 
easily  domesticated,  and  became  quite  a  pet.  They  tied  a  strip  of  red 
flannel  about  its  neck,  and  turned  it  out  to  roam  the  woods  at  will.  It 
grew  rapidly,  and  the  neighbors  soon  got  to  know  it  as  the  "Gallaher 
deer."  It  rambled  through  the  woods,  and  even  the  Indians,  though  con- 
stantly hunting,  never  molested  it.  But  one  afternoon  it  ventured  too 
near  the  smoke-house  of  a  certain  parson  living  near  Union  Grove,  and 
was  never  after  seen  alive.  It  was  not  best  to  insinuate  the  minister  after- 
ward lived  on  venison,  but  his  influence  with  the  Gallaher  boys  was  gone 
from  that  day. 

A    WOLF    STORY. 

As  previously  stated,  Mr.  Gallaher's  sheep  did  not  suffer  so  much  from 
scanty  feeding  as  the  cattle,  and  "came  through,"  though  in  a  very  lean 
condition.  Their  worst  foe  was  the  gaunt  and  hungry  wolves,  which  re- 
quired continual  watching.  One  day  the  boys  on  whom  devolved  this 
duty  allowed  them  to  range  beyond  their  sight,  and  stray  over  the  hill 
into  the  woods  beyond.  At  night  they  failed  to  appear  as  usual.  Search 
was  made,  and  soon  the  cause  was  apparent,  as  scattered  along  the  course 
were  the  dead  and  mangled  carcasses,  but  no  living  sheep.  Several  days 
later  they  came  upon  a  ewe  alive  and  unhurt,  several  miles  from  home. 
How  she  had  escaped  the  fangs  of  the  destroyer  was  a  mystery.  She  was 
taken  home  and  a  bell  put  around  her  neck,  and  for  several  seasons  she  ran 
with  the  cattle,  unmolested  by  dog  or  wolf,  as  if  possessed  of  a  charmed 
life.  She  was  the  only  survivor  of  the  flock  of  eighty  originally  brought 
to  the  country  by  Mr.  Gallaher. 

A  STILL    HUNT. 

When  the  news  of  the  Indian  outbreak,  the  massacre  of  the  whites  on 
Indian  Creek,  and  the  killing  of  Phillips  in  Bureau  had  been  promul- 
gated, the  white  settlers,  with  very  few  exceptions,  turned  out  promptly  to 


188  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

fight  the  savages.  They  had  no  arms  save  fowling  pieces  and  squirrel 
guns,  but  hastily  arming  themselves  with  these,  they  hurried  to  the  front. 

Mr.  Gallaher  relates  how  he  met  about  sixty  of  these  brave  defenders 
under  Captain  Hawes.  They  had  no  uniforms,  each  soldier  coming  out  in 
such  clothing  as  he  had,  and  consequently  no  two  were  dressed  alike. 
They  came  singing  and  shouting,  yelling  and  cat-calling,  like  so  many 
boys  on  a  jamboree,  and  altogether  presented  a  sight  that  would  have  in- 
spired unlimited  mirthfulness  instead  of  fear,  even  in  a  savage. 

This  manner  of  marching  became  all  the  more  ridiculous  when  it  is 
remembered  that  they  had  started  out  on  a  "still  hunt,"  to  surprise  a  foe 
the  most  cunning  and  cat-like  known  to  history. 

A    STARVED    RECRUIT. 

One  evening  during  the  Indian  war  excitement,  while  the  rangers  were 
searching  the  woods  near  the  mouth  of  Bureau  Creek,  they  were  hailed  in 
a  weak,  piping  voice,  and  found  a  poor,  emaciated  fellow  in  soldier's  uni- 
form, barely  able  to  walk,  who  told  his  pitiful  story  with  much  difficulty. 
He  was  at  Stillman's  defeat,  on  Rock  River,  and  had  been  hiding  in  the 
woods,  with  very  little  food,  ever  since,  and  was  nearly  starved.  He  be- 
lieved himself  the  only  survivor,  and  thinking  the  country  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Indians,  had  not  dared  to  venture  in  the  vicinity  of  the  white 
settlements.  He  was  taken  to  town  and  well  cared  for  until  he  recovered 
and  joined  his  company. 

JAIL    BURNED. 

The  Hennepin  Jail  was  set  on  fire  and  burned  down  September  27, 
1842.  A  fellow  named  Frederick  was  confined  in  it  for  burglary,  having 
broken  open  the  store  of  Pulsifer  <fe  Co.  and  stolen  valuable  goods,  for 
which  he  was  under  indictment.  It  was  built  of  brick  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
was  lined  with  heavy  timbers,  and  supposed  to  be  burglar  proof.  While 
burning  the  prisoner  was  placed  in  the  Court  House  for  safety,  but  gave 
his  guard  the  slip  and  escaped.  The  enraged  tax-payers  however  turned 
out  and  hunted  him  down,  keeping  him  safely  until  his  trial. 

A    PIONEER    EXPRESS. 

Before  the  introduction  of  steamboats  upon  the  Illinois,  business  was 
carried  on  by  keel-boats  or  pirogues,  manned  by  adventurous  boatmen, 


"WAR   AVERTED   AND    VICTORY    SECURED    BY    STRATEGY.  189 

who  made  regular  trips  to  St.  Louis,  stopping  at  intervening  points  and 
transacting  such  business  as  was  reqtiired.  For  many  years  a  couple  of 
half-breeds  ran  a  light  batteau  on  the  river,  taking  furs  and  light  pro- 
duce to  market  and  filling  orders  with  scrupulous  fidelity.  When  they 
first  began  the  trade  they  were  but  boys,  and  they  continued  until  the 
more  vapid  steamboat  drove  them  from  the  river. 

In  the  absence  of  banks  of  exchange,  they  were  sometimes  entrusted 
with  heavy  sums  and  commissioned  to  make  valuable  purchases,  which 
they  did  with  entire  satisfaction,  accounting  for  every  dollar. 

INDIANS    OUTWITTED. 

OiiH  of  the  first  merchants  of  Hennepin  was  John  Durley,  and  the  fol- 
lowing incident  in  which  he  was  an  actor,  though  occurring  elsewhere,  is 
told  by  his  descendants.  Previous  to  his  removal  to  Putnam  County,  he 
resided  in  Madison  County  in  this  State,  where  in  1824  they  were  greatly 
annoyed  by  a  band  of  thievish,  impudent  Indians,  encamped  in  the  vicin- 
ity. Having  previously  sold  their  lands  to  the  Government,  and  consented 
to  emigrate  beyonl  the  Mississippi,  application  was  made  to  the  Indian 
Agent,  who  sent  a  company  of  soldiers  to  order  their  removal.  The  for- 
mer were  few  in  number,  while  the  Indians  were  well  armed  and  supplied 
with  ammunition,  and  the  advantages,  if  force  were  resorted  to,  would  be 
all  on  their  side.  In  this  predicament  a  ruse  suggested  by  Mr.  Durley 
was  tried,  aucl  proved  entirely  successful.  Accompanied  by  his  son 
James,  now  of  Hennepin,  he  rode  over  to  the  Indian  village,  with  the 
chief  of  which  he  was  on  friendly  terms,  and  told  him  the  purposes  of  the 
Great  Father,  who  had  sent  a  thousand  warriors  with  orders  to  kill  all 
Indians  who  had  not  left  the  country  as  agreed  in  their  treaty,  adding 
that  in  half  an  hour  they  would  pass  in  front  of  Sugar-loaf  Hill,  a  small 
conical  eminence  a  mile  from  the  Indian  village,  and  near  which  they  were 
to  camp.  He  advised  the  chief  to  leave,  or,  doubting  his  word,  to  hide 
among  the  trees  and  count  the  soldiers. 

Soon  after  the  troops  appeared,  marching  slowly  in  front  of  the  hill, 
and  running  at  full  speed  on  the  opposite  side,  so  as  to  keep  the  show  in 
front  continuous.  In  this  way  the  duped  chief  was  deluded  into  counting 
thirty  or  forty  men  over  and  over  until  they  numbered  a  thousand  or 
more,  when  he  broke  for  the  camp,  hastily  packed  the  ponies,  and  left 
helter-skelter  for  the  Mississippi  River,  followed  by  the  soldiers  at  a  safe 


190  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

distance  all  night.  While  crossing  the  Illinois  River,  the  Indians  were 
fired  upon  by  the  troops  and  several  killed.  A  pony  on  which  was 
strapped  seven  little  children,  while  swimming  the  stream,  was  shot,  and 
its  load  of  helpless  infants  all  drowned. 

FASTIDIOUS    TRAVELERS. 

Hotel  accommodations  in  1834-5  were  not  what  they  are  at  present. 
There  was  plenty  to  eat,  such  it  was,  but  French  cooks  had  not  been  im- 
ported, and  cook-books  were  unknown  to  our  grandmothers.  Hog  and 
hominy,  coffee  and  molasses  were  the  staples,  and  the  traveler  who  could 
not  appreciate  them  after  a  six  hours  jolt  in  Frink  &  Walker's  "mud 
wagons"  was  set  down  as  "too  nice  for  anything."  For  lodgings,  a 
blanket,  buffalo  robe,  or  a  sheepskin  was  provided,  and  the  traveler  told 
to  select  the  softest  plank  he  could  find.  As  landlords  g*ew  in  wealth 
they  increased  their  accommodations,  and  a  single  large  room  was  devoted 
to  sleeping  purposes,  filled  with  beds,  upon  which  was  a  "  shake  down  " 
filled  with  prairie  hay,  and  a  blanket.  Sheets  were  a  decided  luxury,  and 
it  was  not  every  "hotel "  that  afforded  them.  The  traveler  was  expected 
to  share  his  bed  with  others,  and  this  "custom  of  the  country"  was  ac- 
cepted as  a  matter  of  course,  though  occasionally  some  fine-haired  individ- 
uals objected. 

Captain  Hawes,  of  Magnolia,  once  entertained  a  choleric  fellow  who 
claimed  to  be  "  a  gentleman,"  said  he  never  in  all  his  life  slept  with  any 
one  but  his  wife,  and  rather  than  do  it,  sat  up  all  'night.  At  intervals  he 
would  groan  and  wish  himself  out  of  the  barbarous  country,  to  which  the 
unfeeling  lodgers  would  respond  with  a  hearty  "Amen ! " 


THE  INDIAN'S  RIDE. 


Indian  boys  affiliated  readily  with  the  whites  of  their  own  age,  and 
joined  heartily  in  the  sports  common  to  both.  They  were  athletic  and 
"  springy,"  but  usually  under  size,  and  could  not  cope  in  a  fair  rough  and 
tumble  with  the  pale  faces.  They  did  not  easily  take  offense,  but  when 
once  angered,  their  wrath  was  fearful.  Mr.  William  Gallaher  tells  an 
amusing  story  of  one  who  was  his  frequent  playmkte.  Mr.  G.'s  busi- 
ness was  hauling  logs  with  a  yoke  of  oxen,  one  of  which,  a  very  quietly 
disposed  brute,  he  used  to  ride,  while  his  mate  was  wild  and  vicious.  The 
Indian  one  day  wished  to  ride,  and  Gr.,  in  a  Spirit  of  mischief,  put  him  on 


A    YOUNG    INDIAN  S    PERILOUS    RIDE. 


191 


the  wild  animal,  at  the  same  time  releasing  him  from  the  yoke.  The  ox 
has  an  instinctive  fear  of  an  Indian,  and  unused  to  such  treatment,  started 
off  at  a  desperate  pace,  setting  up  a  bellow  that  infected  every  animal  on  the 
place  with  a  like  frenzy,  and  a-way  they  started  in  pursuit.  The  Indian  was 
good  rider  and  held  on  like  grim  death,  while  the  ox  tore  through  the 
fields,  brush  and  briers  until  he  reached  the  larger  timber,  when  a  project- 
ing limb  brushed  his  rider  off  unhurt.  But  the  Indian  never  forgave  this 
too  practical  joke,  and  sought  to  kill  young  Gallaher,  who  was  careful 
ever  after  to  keep  out  of  his  way. 


192 


RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


A   NOTED    BURGLARY. 


'URING  the  summer  of  1869,  the  hitherto  exceedingly  quiet 
city  of  Hennepin  bficame  the  scene  of  a  most  intense  and 
long  continued  excitement,  owing  to  the  stirring  events 
here  narrated. 

About  the  10th  of  June  a  rather  suspicious  person 
made  his  appearance  in  town,  and  wandered  about  from 
day  to  day,  with  no  apparent  object  other  than  to  ask  a  good 
many  questions,  look  into  alleys  and  by-ways,  and  make  the 
acquaintance  of  the  roughs  and  idlers  of  the  place.  On  one 
occasion  he  went  into  Leech  &  Bros',  office,  where  they  kept  their  safe  and 
funds,  ostensibly  to  get  a  $10.00  bill  changed,  but  in  fact  to  note  the  lay 
of  things  in  the  office,  the  fastenings  upon  the  safe,  its  lock,  and  the  posi- 
tion of  the  windows.  This  fellow  also  went  to  Hartenbower's  warehouse 
for  the  same  purpose,  and  asked  of  a  young  man  whom  he  had  made  a 
"chum"  of,  "Where  these  grain  dealers  kept  their  money?"  and  "Where 
they  lived?"  He -disappeared  the  morning  before  the  attempted  robbery. 
Another  fellow  had  appeared  upon  the  scene— a  tall,  lank,  illy  dressed, 
gray-whiskered  chap,  who  was  seen  in  several  places,  apparently  drunk, 
the  day  before  the  attempt  on  the  safe  was  made,  and  was  found  next 
morning  in  a  corn-crib  near  the  scene,  where  it  was  thought  he  had 
been  "  telegraphing "  his  pals  when  in  the  warehouse,  but  when  dis- 
covered was  too  drunk,  or  simulated  it  so  perfectly  as  to  completely  de- 
ceive his  captors,  who  could  make  nothing  out  of  him  and  turned  him 
loose.  He  was  either  too  drunk  for  a  sober  man  or  too  sober  for  a  drunken 
one.  In  three  minutes  after,  when  the  enraged  citizens  had  begun  to  con- 
nect him  with  the  gang,  he  was  not  to  be  found! 

About  one  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  June  23,  18G9,  Mr.  John  B. 
Gowdey,  a  respectable  tradesman  of  Hennepin,  had  occasion  to  get  a 
drink  of  water.  After  rising  he  concluded  to  go  down  to  his  shoe- 
shop  for  a  smoke,  when  he  was  astonished  to  hear  the  sound  of  iron 
striking  iron  close  in  his  neighborhood.  Going  out  softly,  he  heard 


DISCOVERY    AND    PURSUIT    OF    THE    BURGLARS.  193 

the  noise  more  distinctly,  and  followed  it  up  caiitiously,  till  reaching 
a  window  of  Leech  Bros',  warehouse,  he  saw  three  men  —  one  hold- 
ing a  dark  lantern,  one '  a  cold-chisel,  and  the  third  a  sledge-hammer, 
which  tools  are  now  to  be  seen  in  the  County  Clerk's  office  at  Hennepin. 
Mr.  Gowdey's  first  impulse  was  to  '-yell"  at  them  to  drive  them  off,  but 
as  they  had  not  got  in  the  safe,  and  didn't  seem  likely  to  for  a  few  min- 
utes more,  he  crept  away  and  ran  softly  to  wake  up  the  citizens  nearest 
the  scene,  and  secure  the  burglars  if  possible.  He  aroused  J.  W.  Leech, 
Mr.  Small  and  Frank  Sunderland.  These  men  and  a  few  others  gathered 
aroiind  the  warehouse  as  soon  as  possible.  Mr.  Leech  stationed  Mr.  Sun- 
derland near  the  window,  going  himself  to  the  door  toward  the  river, 
rightly  judging  that  the  robbers  had  come  across  in  a  canoe  or  skiff,  and 
would  head  that  way  on  being  alarmed.  Some  one,  in  coming  down  the 
hill  near  the  warehouse,  tripped  upon  a  loose  stone,  and  thus  prema- 
turely alarmed  the  villians,  who  immediately  rushed  out  of  the  building 
through  a  drive-way  toward  their  skiff,  yelling  to  the  citizens  to  "stand 
back  or  get  hurt,"  and  the  former,  with  only  one  gun  that  was  avail- 
able, and  not  being  able  in  the  dark  to  distinguish  friend  from  foe,  could 
not  safely  fire.  The  robbers  returned  to  their  boat.  They  were  ordered  to 
halt,  and  answered  with  a  shot  from  a  revolver,  which  fortunately  hit 
no  one.  A  lad  named  Everett  had  no  gun,  and  began  throwing  stones 
at  the  retreating  party,  whereupon  they  returned  several  shots  with 
their  revolvers.  As  the  boat  emerged  from  the  deep  shadow  of  the 
buildings,  they  opened  quite  a  lively  fire  upon  the  crowd  which  had  by 
this  time  assembled  upon  the  shore.  Frank  Sunderland  took  the  shot-gun 
and  replied  with  better  luck,  for  the  oarsman  in  the  departing  boat  was 
numerously  peppered,  one  shot  lodging  in  his  face  under  the  eye  and  in 
dangerous  proximity  to  that  organ.  He  fell  forward,  or  rather  dropped 
his  face  between  his  hands  and  quit  rowing,  while  his  companion  seized 
the  oars  and  exerting  his  full  strength;  one  of  them  broke,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  paddle  toward  the  shore  with  the  other  as  best  he  could. 

The  country  opposite  town  is  low  and  flat,  with  a  single  narrow  cause- 
way leading  to  the  main  land.  At  all  times  it  is  little  better  than  a 
morass,  and  now  the  river,  swelled  by  the  spring  rains,  was  high,  and  the 
whole  territory,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  causeway  alluded  to,  was 
more  or  less  submerged.  At  the  point  dwelt  two  men  engaged  upon  the 
ferry,  named  Barmore  and  Thornton,  who,  hearing  the  alarm  and  under- 
standing the  situation,  came  down  to  the  river  prepared  to  give  the  rob- 


194  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

bers  the  warmest  possible  reception.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  broken  oar, 
and  knowing  the  locality  well,  they  would  doubtless  have  gone  direct  to 
the  landing  and  fought  their  way  out,  or  at  least  attempted  to ;  but  that 
changed  all  their  plans,  and  the  current  carried  them  down  stream,  where 
they  landed  in  the  half  submerged  timber,  seeking  what  safety  they  could. 

As  soon  as  it  was  sufficiently  light  and  skiffs  could  be  procured,  the 
people,  now  thoroughly  aroused,  turned  out,  armed  with  every  available 
weapon,  and  the  river  bottoms  were  effectually  scoured  for  the  skulking 
vagabonds.  Early  in  the  morning  the  fellow  who  had  been  wounded  was 
caught.  He  maintained  a  degree  of  innocence  of  the  attempted  crime  and 
knowledge  of  the  whereabouts  of  his  pals  that  was  refreshing!  "He  had 
been  out  hunting,  and  had  scratched  his  face  with  a  thorn,"  but  at  a  later 
period  confessed  that  he  had  been  shot  as  above  stated,  and  had  fallen  be- 
hind his  comrades  while  endeavoring  to  allay  the  pain  and  stop  the  flow 
of  blood  from  the  wound  on  his  face,  and  while  bathing  his  eye  the  oth- 
ers had  left  him,  and  he  dare  not  call  them  for  fear  of  attracting  their 
pursuers.  About  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  remaining  bur- 
glars were  found  lying  by  a  log  in  the  edge  of  a  swamp  or  slough.  Mr. 
Thornton,  who  discovered  the  culprits,  made  signs  to  Holland,  Cook  and 
others  to  come  to  him.  The  signals  were  speedily  passed  along  the  line, 
and  each  man,  with  weapon  in  hand  ready  for  use,  advanced.  The  leader, 
seeing  the  situation  and  knowing  his  retreat  was  cut  off  and  resistance 
useless,  held  up  both  hands,  exclaiming,  "Don't  shoot;  I  give  up."  His 
companion  also  surrendered.  They  were  searched,  and  no  weapons  found, 
but  afterward  revolvers  were  found  hidden  deep  in  the  mud  near  the 
place  of  aiTest.  Seeing  themselves  surrounded  by  so  many  persons  all  in 
citizens'  attire,  they  feared  violence,  and  begged  not  to  be  mobbed.  One 
of  them  was  escorted  by  I.  H.  Cook,  but  he  pretended  entire  ignorance  of 
what  had  transpired.  He  was  a  poor  trapper  looking  after  his  traps,  and 
could  not  understand  why  he  should  lie  arrested  by  armed  men.  As  they 
neared  the  shore,  where  a  large  crowd  waited  their  arrival,  lie  thought  of 
the  possible  lynching  that  might  follow,  and  forgetting  the  trapper  role 
enquired  "what  they  did  with  the  other  fellow  they  caught;"  to  which 
the  reply  was  made  that  they  "hung  him  before  breakfast." 

The  prisoners  were  escorted  up  town  through  a  dense  crowd  of  excited, 
scowling  citizens,  only  waiting  a  leader  to  take  the  law  into  their  own 
hands  and  give  the  villains  the  justice  they  richly  deserved  at  the  end  of 
a  rope.  An  examination  was  had  before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  the 


PREVIOUS    ATTEMPTS    AT    BURGLARY    IN    HENNEPIN.  195 

prisoners  placed  under  heavy  bonds  to  wait  the  action  of  the  Grand  Jury, 
which  they  not  being  able  to  give,  were  escorted  to  the  jail  and  a  special 
guard  put  over  them. 

Subsequent  events  proved  this  to  have  been  a  deep  laid  scheme,  coolly 
planned  by  the  leading  cracksman  of  Chicago,  the  notorious  Buck  Hoi- 
brook,  well  known  to  the  police  and  dreaded  by  them  as  a  desperate  scoun- 
drel of  herculean  strength,  cool  courage  and  utterly  devoid  of  fear.  Hen- 
nepin  had  no  bank  for  the  safe  keeping  of  valuables,  it  was  an  important 
grain  market,  and  they  rightly  considered  if  the  haul  was  made  it  would 
be  a  rich  one*. 

Two  previous  attemps  had  been  made,  both  failures.  In  one  of  them 
they  stole  a  couple  of  horses  and  hitched  them  to  a  sled,  loading  the  safe 
(a  small  one)  upon  it  with  the  intention  of  hauling  it  away;  but  in  their 
ignorance  they  had  harnessed  an  unbroken  colt  which  refused  to  pull,  and 
their  plans  were  frustrated. 

Another  was  upon  the  safe  of  a  Mr.  Atkins,  which  they  tried  with  all 
the  improvements  known  to  burglars;  but  the  noise  alarmed  a  servant  girl, 
who  frightened  the  robbers  off.  Various  reasons  conspired  to  invite  an 
attempt  of  the  kind.  The  place  had  no  trained  police,  no  watchmen;  the 
town  stands  on  the  high  bluff  of  a  deep  river,  with  its  business  houses 
near  the  stream;  across  the  river  a  wilderness  of  swamps,  lakes,  tangled 
weeds,  trees,  underbrush  etc.,  all  afforded  splendid  hiding  places  for  the 
thieves  and  their  plunder. 

The  capture  of  Holbrook  and  his  pals  deeply  excited  his  friends  in 
Chicago,  who  sent  messages  of  condolence  and  friends  to  visit  the  unlucky 
trio  in  the  Hennepin  jail.  Among  the  latter  came  a  richly  attired  female 
claiming  to  be  Holbrook's  wife.  She  was  known  as  Mollie  Holbrook,  the 
keeper  of  a  noted  bagnio,  and  wore  upon  her  person  a  profusion  of  laces 
and  diamonds  of  "  purest  ray  serene."  Her  will  was  law  among  her  asso- 
ciates, among  whom  she  ruled  like  a  queen,  and  it  was  hinted  a  golden  key 
she  carried  had  unlocked  dungeons  ere  now  and  set  her  friends  at  liberty. 
She  played  the  role  of  an  injured  and  innocent  female,  whose  husband,  a 
perfect  paragon  of  honesty,  needed  no  other  vindication  of  character  than 
her  word.  He  was  the  victim  of  conspiracy,  and  should  be  liber- 
ated without  a  question.  Failing  in  this  mode  of  attack,  she  grew  in- 
dignant and  threatened  to  burn  the  town  and  murder  the  citizens.  She 
obtained  permission  to  visit  her  husband,  and  it  is  believed  handed  him  a 
ten  dollar  bill  in  which  was  hidden  some  diminutive  tools  for  breaking  jail. 


196  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

The  citizens  were  prepared.  They  had  observed  strange  faces  about 
the  vicinity  of  the  jail,  and  a  class  of  comers  and  goers  far  different  in 
their  dress,  manners  and  looks  from  their  own  people.  The  Sheriff,  if  not 
on  terms  of  social  intercourse  with  these  suspected  persons,  was  too  con- 
fiding in  their  word  of  honor,  too  indulgent  to  them,  so  people  argued, 
and  they  recommended  a  special  police  force  to  help  guard  the  jail.  The 
Sheriff  became  angry  at  this,  and  intimated  that  he  would  attend  to  his 
own  business,  and  the  citizens,  unknown  to  that  officer,  guarded  not  only 
the  jail,  but  the  town,  a  precaution  which,  though  expensive  and  arduous, 
was  rewarded  most  amply,  as  will  be  seen. 

On  the  night  of  Saturday,  June  28,  1869,  a  guard  of  two  citizens  who 
had  been  recently  placed  on  duty  in  a  barn  near  the  jail,  heard  a  singular 
noise,  like  a  cat  "whetting  its  claws"  upon  a  tree  or  fence,  as  the  saying 
is.  They  watched  intently,  and  became  convinced  it  was  near  or  under 
the  jail.  Between  one  and  two  o'clock  of  Sunday  morning  this  sound 
ceased,  and  presently  from  a  hole  at  the  side  of  the  jail  emerged  the  form 
of  a  man,  which  proved  to  be  that  of  Buck  Holbrook.  Standing  a  mo- 
ment, he  looked  cautiously  around,  and  exclaimed  in  a  low  voice,  "Boys, 
the  coast  is  clear."  In  a  few  moments  one,  and  then  the  other  of  his 
companions  came  forth,  when  Buck  said,  "Now  for  Chicago!"  At  that 
instant  the  guard  fired,  and  he  fell,  his  person  from  the  top  of  the  head 
to  the  lower  pail  of  the  stomach  riddled  with  shot,  eighty-four  having 
been  counted  afterward.  He  never  spoke  or  groaned,  but  seemed  to  have 
fallen  dead.  The  other  two  men  fled ;  one  around  the  building,  and  es- 
caped, and  the  other  ran  to'  the  kitchen  door  of  the  jail,  and  begged  to  be 
admitted.  The  former  ran  across  two  lots,  into  Mr.  Unthank's  barn,  crept 
in  the  hay-mow,  and  lay  hid  all  that  night  and  next  day  until  evening. 
In  the  meantime  the  excited  citizens  were  alert  everywhere.  They  never 
thought  of  looking  for  their  escaped  bird  so  close  to  his  cage,  but  sur- 
rounded the  town,  posted  watchmen,  and  sent  trusty  men  to  guard  the 
avenues  of  escape.  As  the  balls  were  calling  people  to  church  in  the 
evening,  the  culprit  came  forth  and  joined  a  throng  of  people  on  their 
way  to  the  house  of  worship.  He  slipped  past  and  struck  out  for  Peru, 
and  at  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.,  while  crossing  a  bridge,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  a  policeman  stationed  to  intercept  him.  He  was  returned  here, 
and  himself  and  his  "pal,"  under  the  names  of  Watson  and  Norton  respec- 
tively, on  the  26th  of  October,  1869,  were  tried  and  sent  to  the  peniten- 
tiary for  five  years. 


DELEGATES   FROM   THE   CANAILLE   OP   CHICAGO.  197 

The  morning  of  the  shooting  of  Holbrook,  his  reputed  wife  was 
notified  of  the  fatal  affair,  and  at  once  came  down,  accompanied  by  a 
repulsive  looking  fellow,  witli  "villain"  in  every  feature.  They 
proceeded  to  the  Court  House,  where  the  dead  body  of  the  burglar  lay. 
As  they -entered  the  room,  which  was  crowded  with  people,  she  littered  a 
wail  like  the  scream  of  an  enraged  tigress,  and  he,  looking  upon  the 
corpse,  exclaimed,  while  a  scowl  of  brigand-like  ferocity  gleamed  from 
his  hideous  face,  "  Eighty-four  buckshot,  by  -  — ! "  Just  then  Watch- 
man Cassell's  gun  was  heard  to  "click,  click,"  as  he  raised  the  hammer, 
ready  for  any  emergency,  which  the  heavy  villain  interpreted  to  "  mean 
business,"  and  quietly  left  with  his  howling  charge,  making  a  quick 
departure  out  of  the  city.  She  caused  his  remains  to  be  expeditiously 
boxed  up  and  shipped  to  Chicago,  where  the  detni  monde,  roughs  and 
lower  order  of  thieves  of  the  city  turned  out  to  honor  the  memory  of 
their  fallen  chief  with  a  pompous  funeral  procession. 

The  frail  and  furious  Mollie  not  only  shook  off  the  dust  of  her  shoes 
as  a  testimony  against  Hennepin  when  she  left  it,  but,  between  groan- 
ing and  moaning  and  screaming  at  the  top  of  her  voice,  she  put  in  some 
very  bitter  curses  and  frightful  denunciations  against  it  and  all  who  had 
been  concerned  in  the  death  of  her  friend. 

Since  then  Mollie  has  served  a  term  in  the  penitentiary,  and  Hennepin, 
instead  of  suffering  from  the  fearful  imprecations  which  the  consort  of 
Holbrook  invoked  upon  it,  has  grown  and  prospered,  and  there  is  not 
a  town  in  the  State  to-day  of  its  size  where  better  order  reigns,  and  none 
which  bxirglars,  robbers,  thieves  and  persons  of  that  ilk  seem  as  by  gen- 
eral consent  so  willing  to  avoid. 


198 


RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

UNION  GROVE. 

BOUT  five  miles  east  of  Hennepin,  on  the  line  of  Gran- 
ville  Township,  is  Union  Grove,  the  name  given  to  a 
fine  body  of  timber  that  dots  the  great  prairie  extending 
eastward  almost  to  the  Wabash.  It  early  attracted  the 
attention  of  settlers,  and  increased  more  rapidly  in  popu- 
lation than  any  other  portion  of  the  County. 

The  first  settler  was  Stephen  D.  Willis,  who  in  1829 
built  the  first  cabin,  opened  the  first  farm  and  planted  the 
first  orchard.  He  was  followed  a  few  mouths  later  by  James  G.  Ross,  a 
brother-in-law.  His  cabin  had  neither  doors  nor  windows  when  he  moved 
in,  and  fires  were  kept  up  at  night  to  scare  away  wild  animals  that 
prowled  about. 

John  L.  Ramsey  located  at  the  south  side  of  the  Grove  in  1828  or  '29; 
James  G.  Dunlavy  at  the  west  end  in  1830. 

Hugh  Warnock  made  a  claim  on  what  is  now  a  portion  of  John  P. 
Blake's  farm,  in  1828. 

John  McDonald,  the  first  Presbyterian  preacher,  located  where  Dun- 
lavy afterward  lived,  in  1829,  and  planted  the  second  orchard  in  the 
township. 

Mr.  Ash  settled  on  the  prairie  between  Union  Grove  and  Granville  in 
1828. 

Rev.  James  H.  Dickey  lived  in  a  small  log  house  near  Mr.  Blake's,  on 
the  south  edge  of  the  Grove,  in  1850,  and  occasionally  preached  for  the 
people  at  the  old  log  church. 

Mr.  Willis  was  a  most  industrious  hunter,  and  carried  his  gun  wher- 
ever he  went.  He  used  to  say  he  "could  raise  sixty  bushels  of  corn  to 
the  acre  and  never  plow  or  tend  it,  and  hunt  all  the  time! " 

For  many  years  the  only  post  office  at  all  available  for  the  people  of 
Union  Grove,  and  in  fact  the  whole  country  around,  was  at  Thomas's,  on 
West  Bureau  Creek,  twenty  miles  away  and  across  the  Illinois  River. 
The  first  temperance  society  was  organized  at  Union  Grove  in  1832,  and 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    SOCIETIES,    ETC.  199 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jeremiah  Strawn  rode  together  on  horseback  to  sign  the 
pledge.  Meetings  were  held  at  Nelson  Shepherd's  cabin  also,  and  many 
joined. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  at  Union  Grove  was  taught  by  Mrs.  Ramsey,  in  a 
blacksmith  shop,  in  the  summer  of  1831.  The  building  stood  about  half 
a  mile  east  of  the  brick  church  at  the  west  end  of  the  Grove. 

In  the  fall  of  1831,  John  P.  Blake  was  engaged  to  take  charge  of  the 
school,  and  remained  until  1833.  Mr.  Blake's  school  was  taught  in  a 
log  cabin  which  had  been  erected  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  Society  in 
1830.  It  was  a  tolerably  good  room,  eighteen  feet  square,  with  the  logs 
hewn  inside.  The  first  school  under  this  gentleman's  management  was 
attended  by  the  children  of  James  W.  and  Stephen  D.  Willis,  Hugh 
Warnock,  J.  L.  Ramsey,  Thos.  Gallaher,  Mr.  Leech,  Isaac  Stewart,  Wm. 
M.  Stewart  and  Torrance  Stewart.  Among  the  other  pupils  were  two 
colored  people,  a  young  man  aged  22  and  a  girl  aged  20  years,  runaway 
slaves.  They  lived  with  James  W.  Willis. 

AN  EARLY  BIBLE  SOCIETY. 

January  12,  1829,  the  first  Bible  Society  in  this  part  of  the  State  was 
formed  at  Union  Grove  Chui-ch,  under  control  of  the  Presbyterian  society. 
The  officers  were  James  A.  Warnock,  President;  Christopher  Wagner, 
Vice  President;  James  W.  Willis,  Corresponding  Secretary;  James  B. 
Willis,  Recording  Secretary;  Hiigh  Warnock,  Treasurer. 

James  W.  Willis  was  Chairman  and  Geo.  B.  Willis  Secretary  of  this 
preliminary  meeting. 

The  boundaries  of  the  territory  over  which  this  Society  had  jurisdic- 
tion were  co-extensive  with  those  of  Putnam  County,  extending  east  to 
the  Vermilion  River,  south  to  Tazewell  County,  west  to  the  Illinois  and 
north  to  the  same  river. 


A  PIONEER'S  STORY. 


Among  the  prominent  early  settlers  about  the  Grove  was  John  Pierce 
Blake,  who  made  his  way  thither  from  near  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  the  spring 
of  1831.  He  had  heard  much  of  Illinois,  and  being  impatient  to  begin 
for  himself,  joined  a  company  of  emigrants  from  North  Hampton,  Mass., 
engaging  to  drive  team.  There  were  few  roads,  and  great  hardships  were 


200  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

encountered,  and  when  they  reached  the  present  site  of  South  Bend,  Ind., 
their  teams  were  so  badly  used  up  that  by  the  advice  of  some  old  Indian 
traders  they  concluded  to  make  for  the  portage  on  the  Kankakee,  and  en- 
gaging boats,  float  down  to  their  destination.  They  built  dug-outs,  and 
loading  their  freight  and  getting  aboard,  started  on  their  way  May  1st, 
1831.  Their  first  night  out  was  marked  with  an  attack  of  mosquitoes, 
larger,  more  numerous  and  voracious  than  they  had  ever  seen  or  heard 
before. 

The  stream  was  very  narrow,  and  as  they  had  lashed  their  boats  to- 
gether in  pairs,  it  was  found  that  the  narrowness  and  tortuoiis  windings  of 
the  current  would  not  always  permit  a  passage  thus,  so  they  were  separ- 
ated. 

But  new  difficulties  awaited  them.  Their  meat  all  spoiled  and  had  to 
be  thrown  overboard,  and  their  meal,  wet  from  the  rains,  also  became 
worthless.  There  was  plenty  of  game — ducks,  geese,  and  even  deer,- — but 
they  could  not  get  within  shooting  distance  of  any  bird  or  animal.  They 
had  been  out  of  foo:l  two  days  and  nights,  save  a  few  spoonfuls  of  flour 
to  each,  and  were  nearly  famished,  when  a  chance  shot  at  a  long  distance 
procured  them  a  deer,  which,  though  old,  tough  and  poor,  was  the  most 
welcome  food  they  had  ever  tasted.  This,  however,  did  not  last  long,  and 
they  were  soon  as  destitute  as  ever. 

After  two  days  and  nights  travel  they  reached  Antoine  Peltier's  trad- 
ing house  at  Dresden,  as  since  called,  where  they  rested  and  took  in  a 
plentiful  supply  of  provisions,  and  moved  on.  An  accident  caused  their 
boat  to  upset,  by  which  their  provisions  were  lost  again.  On  short  ra- 
tions, they  reached  the  mouth  of  Mazon  Greek,  at  Morris,  and  saw  a 
log  house  in  the  distance.  The  owner  had  gone  to  Mackinaw  to  mill,  and 
was  expected  to  return  that  evening.  The  woman  and  a  couple  of  child- 
ren were  alone,  their  stock  of  provisions  being  a  peck  of  corn  meal  and 
some  pork,  which  she  gave  the  travelers,  thus  affording  them  a  comfort- 
able meal.  They  tried  hunting  that  evening  and  luckily  killed  a  fat  deer 
and  several  ducks,  which  they  divided  with  their  hospitable  hosi  ^ss,  and  also 
pounded  out  a  considerable  quantity  of  corn,  of  which  they  left  a  portion 
with  her.  She  told  them  that  Walker's  trading  house  was  only  twenty- 
three  miles  below,  and  Crozier's  but  nine  miles  farther,  where  they  could 
supply  all  their  needs,  but  forgot  to  mention  the  rapids  at  Marseilles, 
above  Ottawa,  where  they  were  shipwrecked  and  some  of  them  well  nigh 
drowned.  At  length,  reaching  Walker's,  and  buying  flour  and  meal,  they 


• 


THE    FIRST    CHURCH    IN    PUTNAM    COUNTY.  203 

floated  on  to  where  Utica  now  stands,  and  there  left  their  boats  to  ex- 
plore the  country  and  select  the  site  for  their  colony,  sending  some  men  in 
a  "dug  out"  to  Peoria  for  groceries  for  summer  use. 

On  the  9th  of  June  Mr.  Blake  left  his  companions  and  walked  to 
Bailey's  Point,  where  he  planted  and  raised  ten  acres  of  corn. 

In  the  fall,  having  disposed  of  his  crop,  and  having  heard  of  Union 
Grove  as  a  desirable  point  for  new  settlers,  he  started  across  the  prairie  to 
explore  this  region,  stopping  on  the  way  at  a  Mr.  Williams',  in  La  Salle 
County,  who  pointed  out  the  way.  He  found  an  old  Indian  trail  and  fol- 
lowed it  across  the  wide  extant  of  unbroken  prairie.  On  the  way  he  saw 
an  object  approaching  that  excited  all  his  curiosity,  and  coming  nearer, 
his  fear;  for  it  proved  to  be  an  Indian  dressed  in  hideous  war  paint  and 
feathers,  armed  with  gun  and  knife. 

Mr.  Blake  stepped  aside  and  bade  him  "howd'y,"  but  the  savage  never 
inclined  his  head  or  moved  a  muscle,  and  passed  on  in  lofty  scorn  of  the 
pale  face,  who  felt  relieved  as  between  them  time  and  distance,  hill  and 
valley  crept  in  and  widened  into  a  respectable  space. 

On  leaving  the  Vermilion  country  Blake  had  been  directed  to  a  lone 
tree,  which  for  many  years  stood  a  mile  east  of  Union  Grove.  Keeping 
this  in  sight,  he  reached  the  Grove  toward  evening,  and  found  entertain- 
ment at  the  house  of  Mr.  Willis.  Here  he  selected  his  claim  at  the  east- 
ern limits  of  the  timber,  which  became  his  future  home. 

THE    FIRST    CHUECH. 

[One  of  the  oldest  churches  of  Putnam  County  is  located  at  Union 
Grove,  but  its  history  we  have  been  unable  to  secure,  and  all  we  can  say 
upon  the  subject  is  copied  from  Henry  A.  Ford's  Histoiy  of  Marshall  and 
Putnam  Counties.] 

The  first  church  erected  in  Putnam  County  was  put  up  in  the  Grove 
in  1830  —  a  little,  rude  log  building  in  the  wilderness,  whither  the  pio- 
neers and  their  families  for  many  miles  around  repaired  for  the  worship  of 
God.  Here  in  the  season  of  Indian  difficulties  there  was  an  appearance 
of  the  warlike  mingled  with  the  devotional,  as  many  settlers  carried  their 
guns  to  meeting,  to  guard  against  surprise  from  the  savage  foe.  A  strong 
religious  sentiment  pervaded  the  entire  community,  and  the  settlement 
was  named  Union  Grove  in  token  of  the  peace  and  harmony  which 


204  RECORDS   OF  Tilt:   OLDEN  TIME. 

reigned  there,  and  which  it  was  hoped  would  abide  forever  within  its 
borders. 


THE  VILLAGE  OF  FLORID. 

Florid  is  the  name  of  a  one  time  flourishing  country  village,  three  and 
:i  half  miles  north  from  Hennepin,  laid  out  in  1836  by  Thos.  W.  Stewart 
nnd  Aaron  Thompson.  It  attained  its  greatest  growth  soon  after,  having 
;>,  store,  steam  mill,  church,  school  house  and  a  couple  of  dozen  houses. 
The  place  has  since  gone  to  decay. 

This  locality  secr^s  to  have  attracted  some  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Putnav,  County.  In  1-1:7  Thomas  Gallaher,  Sr.,  made  his  claim  north  of, 
.ind  Jr.r.ies  W.  Willis  put  up  the  first  cabin  in  the  town  of  Florid.  Thomas 
Gailaner,  Jr.,  built  a  cabin  near  it,  and  returned  for  his  family,  who  came 
here  in  the  spring  of  1828.  ;N  :lson  Shepherd  came  and  located  a  mile 
south  of  Florid  in  1828.  Ja.r,  -;  G.  Ross  and  Wm.  M.  Stewart  arrived 
in  1832. 

Another  settler  worthy  of  special  notice  was  Samuel  D.  Laughlin,  who 
made  his  claim  adjoining  that  of  Nelson  Shepherd,  soutu  of  Florid,  in  the 
spring  of  1827.  Stephen  D.  Willis  put  up  a  cabin  for  Mr.  Laiighlin,  and 
the  latter  broke  about  ten  r.cres  of  ground  that  season.  He  remained 
here  until  1830,  when  he  brought  his  family,  consisting  of  himself  and 
'wife,  and  John  W.,  James  G.  arid  his  wife,  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Davis,  all  living 
in  Mt.  Palatine;  Mary,  wife  of  H.  P.  Leeper,  of  Princeton;  Wm.  M.,  at 
''Tranville;  Sarah  A.,  now  Mrs.  Wm.  McCord,  of  Onarga;  Addison,  born 
in  Putnam  County,  April  11,  1832,  now  living  in  Wisconsin,  and  Caroline, 
born  here,  but  now  dead. 

It  is  worthy  of  mention  that  during  this  long  journey  Miss  Mary 
Laughlin,  afterward  Mrs.  Babbitt,  rode  on  horseback  all  the  way,  and 
helped  drive  tL.>  cattle  and  sheep. 

During  Mr.  L:v  ,-rhlin's  al  sence  after  his  family,  a  claim-jumper  named 
.Ely  undertook  to  "jiiv  ••"  his  improvements,  but  the  neighbors,  at  the 
head  of  whom  was  Jeremiah  Strawn,  sat  down  on  him  so  effectually  that 
he  never  showed  himself  again. 

Samuel  D.  Laughlin  remained  upon  his  farm  until  his  death  in  Febru- 
nry,  1849.  His  wife,  formerly  Miss  Rebecca  Dunlavy,  died  three  days 


FORT  CRIBS  —  "RAMSEY'S  INJUNS."  205 

before  him,  and  both  lie  together  in  the  Union  Grove  Cemetery,  which 
encloses  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Geo.  Ish,  Mrs.  McComas  arid  Mrs.  Hugh 
Warnock,  the  latter  probably  the  ftrst  of  the  old  settlers  who  was  buried 
here. 

FORT  CRIBS. 

Here  in  1832  was  erected  one  of  those  border  forts  or  block  houses  for 
defense  against  the  Indians,  known  as  Fort  Cribs,  for  the  reason  that  a 
number  of  corn-cribs  were  in  the  enclosure.  It  was  resorted  to  by  all  the 
settlers  in  the  vicinity  for  safety,  as  many  as  ninety-eight  being  here  at 
one  time. 

A  memorable  event  was  the  birth  while  in  this  fort  of  Milton  Shep- 
herd, son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  Shepherd. 

Win.  Stewart,  called  "Big  Billy,"  commanded  the  fort.  No  attack 
was  made  upon  it,  though  an  Indian  was  seen  lurking  about  in  the  timber, 
probably  a  spy. 

Among  those  quartered  here  during  the  scare,  in  addition  to  the  fami- 
lies of  Willis  and  Shepherd,  was  James  G.  Ross,  Hugh  Warnock,  S.  D. 
Willis,  Wm.  M.  Stewart,  William  Stewart,  Rev.  Mr.  McDonald,  James 
Harper,  Mr.  Rexford,  George  Ramsey,  William  Ham,  Mr.  Wagner  and 
Geo.  B.  Willis  and  their  families,  besides  some  unmarried  men. 

While  the  citizens  were  forted  up,  the  school  that  had  been  carried  on 
at  the  "Grove"  was  removed  to  Mr.  Willis'  barn,  near  the  fort,  as  a  place 
of  greater  safety,  where  some  forty  pupils  were  in  attendance.  One  day 
some  little  girls  playing  in  the  edge  of  the  timber  imagined  they  saw  an 
Indian,  and  ran  screaming  to  the  fort.  Mrs.  Willis,  with  motherly  in- 
stinct, thought  of  the  unprotected  little  ones  in  school,  and  at  the  sup- 
posed risk  of  her  life  ran  to  the  barn,  crying  at  the  top  of  her  voice,  "The 
Indians  are  coming ;  run  for  your  lives."  The  school  room  was  emptied 
in  a  twinkling,  and  all  were  got  safe  inside  and  the  heavy  doors  closed. 
The  alarm  proved  false,  but  it  was  a  terrible  shock  to  the  women  and 
children  in  the  stockade. 

Another  time  the  fort  was  thrown  into  the  wildest  alarm  by  Mr.  Ram- 
sey, who  was  on  guard,  declaring  he  saw  a  whole  row  of  Indians  march- 
ing right  towards  the  fort.  The  men  got  out  their  arms,  but  no  enemy 
appearing,  some  over-bold  volunteers  investigated  the  matter  and  found 
his  row  of  Indians  was  a  row  of  poplars  which  the  shadows  gave  a  dis- 


206  RECORDS  OF  TitE  OLDEN  TIME. 

torted  appearance,  and  his  fears  did  the  rest.     The  poplars  were  after- 
ward known  as  "Ramsey's  Injuns." 


PUTNAM  COUNTY  NEWSPAPERS. 

The  first  newspaper  in  Putnam  County  was  the  Hennepin  Journal,  es- 
tablished in  1837  by  Dr.  Wilson  Everett.  The  country  was  sparsely  set- 
tled, the  value  of  advertising  but  little  appreciated  by  business  men,  and 
it  led  a  sickly  existence  until  December,  1838,  when  it  gave  up  the  ghost. 
The  Genius  of  Universal  Emancipation  was  established  in  1845,  but  op- 
position to  its  teachings  was  so  great  that  it  was  removed  to  Lowell,  near 
Ottawa,  where  a  more  friendly  population  welcomed  it.  In  1845  Philip 
Lynch  started  the  Hennepin  Herald,  and  ran  it  from  1845  to  1848.  After 
this  came  the  Hennepin  Tribune,  by  Birney  &,  Duncan,  in  1856,  and  ex- 
isted for  three  years.  The  Putnam  County  Standard  was  established  by 
J.  F.  Grable,  with  Thomas  Stan ton  editor,  in  1860.  In  1861  it  was  inn 
by  W.  H.  G.  Birney,  and  in  1863  by  J.  S.  Grable.  In  1868  I.  H.  Cook 
began  the  publication  of  the  Putnam  Record,  which  still  exists.  It 
is  a  neatly  printed  seven-column  paper,  very  industriously  edited,  and 
is  well  supported.  The  office  is  supplied  with  suitable  presses,  and  a  full 
outfit  for  all  ordinary  printing. 

"Besides  these  home  enterprises,  the  plan  that  finally  resulted  in 
starting  at  Chicago  The  Herald  of  tne  Prairie,  afterward  Prairie  Herald, 
later  and  better  known  as  the  Western  Citizen,  was  first  discussed  and  set- 
tled by  Zabina  Eastman,  Hooper  Warren,  and  James  G.  Duulavy,  in 
the  log  cabin  of  the  latter  at  Union  Grove.  This  was  before  1844.  It 
appears  from  the  facts  here  gathered  that  from  1837  to  1876  inclusive  a 
paper  has  been  sustained  eighteen  out  of  thirty-nine  years."* 
*  Warren. 


MAGNOLIA    TOWX3IUP —  GENERAL   HISTORY    AND   PRODUCTS.  207 


MAGNOLIA   TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION. 

>HE  Township  of  Magnolia  contains  nearly  forty-three  sec- 
tions or  square  miles  of  land,  or  27,520  acres,  made  up  of 
prairie  and  timber,  its  southern  and  western  portions  broken 
with  ravines  and  seamed  with  ridges.  It  is  drained  by 
Clear  Creek  and  Sandy,  with  their  numerous  branches, 
both  flowing  into  the  Illinois.  It  is  agreeably  diversified 
with  prairie  and  woodland,  its  surface  dotted  with  small 
groves  resembling  an  extensive  park  platted  by  the  hand  of 
nature,  and  much  of  it  under  the  highest  possible  cultivation.  The  soiith- 
ern  and  western  portions  are  rough,  and  until  recent  years  unoccupied ; 
but  a  large  colony  of  thrifty  Germans  have  taken  possession,  and  the 
rough  hills  and  deep  ravines  are  being  cleared  and  made  into  pleasant, 
inviting  farms.  This  land  was  for  many  years  held  by  speculators  at  high 
prices,  under  the  impression  that  the  necessities  of  those  living  on  the 
prairies  would  compel  its  purchase.  In  time  it  was  demonstrated  that 
the  farmer  required  very  little  timber,  and  the  speculators,  after  waiting 
vainly  for  purchasers,  concluded  to  accept  what  it  was  worth. 

The  products  are  mainly  agricultural,  and  much  attention  is  devoted 
to  the  raising  of  farm  stock,  particularly  cattle.  Formerly  large  quanti- 
ties of  grain,  principally  corn,  were  sent  to  market,  but  most  that  is  raised 
here  is  now  consumed  at  home. 

The  town  has  always  been  foremost  in  religious  and  educational  inter- 
ests, and  a  more  orderly,  intelligent  and  thinking  community  cannot  be 
found  than  here  exists. 


RAILROADS. 
The  County  of  Putnam  is  wholly  destitute  of  railroads,  and  this  want 

I 


208  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

of  the  means  of  transit  has  led  to  several  expensive  schemes,  thus  far 
without  any  result;  prominent  of  which  is  the  building  of  a  line  from 
Bureau  Junction  through  the  Counties  of  Putnam,  La  Salle,  Grundy,Will 
and  Kankakee.  It  was  agitated  in  1868-9,  and  meetings  were  held  at  dif- 
ferent points  along  the  line  in  the  spring  and  summer.  Putnam  County 
voted  to  subscribe  $125,-000;  Granville  added  $10,000;  Round  Grove, 
$15,000;  Dwight  $30,000,  Tonica  $50,000.  La  Salle  and  Livingstone  to- 
gether gave  $205,000,  Bureau  $10,000,  Kankakee  $165,000,  making  a 
grand  total  of  half  a  million  dollars.  In  Putnam  County  the  first  vote  of 
$75,000  had  been  nearly  unanimous  for  the  stock,  but  when  the  company 
demanded  an  increase  of  $50,000  more,  the  people  were  not  quite  so  eager. 
The  question  was  submitted  to  the  voters  February  8,  1870,  and  the  re- 
sult was:  For  the  additional  sum,  475  votes;  against  it,  350.  February 
26,  1870,  the  road  made  an  assessment  of  three  per  cent,  upon  its  capital 
stock,  a  sum  that  though  small,  was  not  as  cheerfully  paid. 

Magnolia  had  been  deeply  moved  for  and  against  the  project,  and 
much  bitterness  of  feeling  resulted.  Finally  they  voted  to  subscribe, 
provided  the  company  would  build  eight  miles  of  the  road  in  this  township, 
the  work  to  be  completed  to  the  eastern  terminus  before  the  bonds  should 
be  issued.  This  well  guarded  provision  proved  their  safety.  The  road 
was  graded  in  many  places  in  Putnam  County,  and  large  sums  of  money 
expended  in  the  work,  but  the  company  failed  in  making  expected  loans, 
and  it  was  never  finished,  its  histoiy  being  that  of  many  other  railways 
in  the  West,  where  people  subscribed  bonds  in  advance  of  the  completion 
of  the  enterprise.  The  County,  th.ough  deeply  swindled,  is  paying  her 
obligations  in  full,  thereby  setting  an  example  that  wealthier  corporations 
might  copy  with  profit. 


THE  EARLIEST  SETTLER. 

Capt.  Wm.  Hawes  was  the  first  permanent  white  settler  not  only  on 
this  prairie,  but,  with  the  exception  of  Thomas  Hartzell,  the  first  in  Put- 
nam or  Marshall  Counties.  He  visited  this  section  in  the  spring  of  1821, 
while  on  his  way  from  Sangamon  County  to  Galena.  He  was  so  pleased 
with  the  general  appearance  of  what  is  now  Putnam  County,  its  fertility 
of  soil,  fine  timber,  pure  water,  high  and  dry  elevation,  and  general  ad- 
vantageous surroundings,  that  he  resolved  to  mark  the  spot  for  his  future 


THE    EARLIEST    SETTLERS    IN    THE    TOWNSHIP.  209 

home,  and  hitching  his  horse  tc  .1  tree,  he  cut  his  name  thereon  and  slept 
beneath  its  friendly  br*>:  '  ^s.  H~  >  ~~r>t  to  Galena  and  remained  until 
November,  1826,  wl.en  he  more  formally  tool:  possession  of  his  claim  and 
built  an  exceedingly  primitive  house,  sixteen  i--.vt  square,  of  round  poles. 
He  split  puncheoi>  for  the  floor  and  door,  anJ  carried  rocks  from  the 
creek  near  by,  on  Lis  back,  for  the  chimney.  There  was  not  a  nail  used 
in  its  construction,  and  like  the  building  of  Solomon's  temple,  no  sound 
of  a  hammer  was  ht ard,  for  he  had  none.  He  lived  there  all  winter,  keep- 
ing "  bach,"  subsisting  mainly  upon  the  results  of  his  skill  as  a  hunter 
and  some  corn  which  he  had  brought  with  him  from  the  South,  which 
he  pounded  into  meal  upon  a  stump  and  baked  with  fat  from  venison  and 
a  little  salt  pork  from  his  meagre  larder.  This  cabin  or  pole-shed  stood 
near  the  afterward  northern  limits  of  Magnolia,  in  the  edge  of  the  tim- 
ber near  the  creek,  upon  the  farm  he  still  owns  and  occupies. 

In  the  following  spring  he  put  up  another  and  more  substantial  cabin 
near  the  first,  and  the  latter  furnished  him  and  his  family  a  comfortable 
home  for  many  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1827  he  cleared  away  a  small  patch  of  ground  from 
underbrush,  and  broke  it  up  for  a  crop,  using  an  old-fashioned  barshire 
plow,  stocked  by  himself.  He  raised  a  good  crop  of  winter  wheat,  which 
yielded  twenty  to  thirty  bushels  per  acre,  threshed  it  out  by  tramp- 
ing, and  cleaned  it  in  nature's  fanning  mill- — the  wind.  He  also  obtained 
a  fair  return  of  corn  by  cultivation,  which  found  a  ready  sale  among  the 
new-comers  at  twenty  to  twenty-five  cents  per  bushel. 

He  had  no  stock  worth  mentioning  then,  merely  a  cow  and  calf  and 
two  yokes  of  oxen,  but  as  soon  as  he  was  able,  added  horses  and  hogs  to 
his  possessions,  bringing  them  up  from  his  old  neighborhood  near  Spring- 
field. 

During  the  first  few  years  cows  were  worth  $10.00  to  $15.00  each, 
and  pork  from  three  to  ten  per  cwt.,  depending  upon  the  wants  of  the 
settlers ;  but  after  awhile  hogs  got  wild  and  bred  in  the  timber,  and  when 
any  one  wanted  pork,  he  simply  shouldered  his  gun  and  went  hunting, 
and  pork  ceased  to  have  any  particular  value  until  killed  and  dressed. 

The  settlers  also  soon  stocked  up  with  sh.^ep,  and  made  their  own 
clothing. 

John  Knox  came  up  with  Captain  Hawes  in  1  ^26,  but  did  not  remain 
here.  Hawes  sent  the  latter  back  to  look  aft.  r  affairs  at  home,  with 
two  yokes  of  oxen  and  a  wagon  to  bring  up  hou  u  !,,']d  goods. 


210  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

James  "W.  and  Stephen  D.  Willis  and  their  families  came  in  the  spring 
of  1827,  and  broke  ground  on  the  "Parsons"  place,  where  they  put  up  a 
cabin,  and  each  raised  a  crop  of  corn. 

John  Knox  returned  in  the  spring  of  1827,  and  put  up  a  cabin  where 
Magnolia  stands,  and  then  with  Captain  Hawes  and  Stephen  Willis  re- 
turned for  their  families.  James  Willis  remained  here  to  attend  the 
farms  and  stock  during  their  absence.  They  returned  early  in  the  fall, 
when  Knox  took  possession  of  his  new  home,  and  Mrs.  Hawes  and  Mrs. 
Willis  respectively  found  their  future  residences.  Lewis  Knox  came  here 
with  his  father  this  fall,  and  made  a  beginning  on  what  has  since  been 
known  as  the  Price  farm,  but  afterward  sold  it  to  a  Mr.  Hammett,  and 
left  for  Rock  River,  and  then  went  to  California. 

In  the  fall  of  1827,  the  Willises  sold  their  claim  to  Smiley  Shepherd, 
and  went  further  north  —  James  W.  to  where  Florid  is  located,  and 
Stephen  D.  to  the  north-western  limits  of  Union  Grove,  and  were  followed 
by  Shepherd,  who  sold  to  Cornelius  Hunt,  and  established  himself  on  his 
well  known  farm  east  of  Hennepin. 

In  1827,  George  H.  Shaw  visited  Magnolia  and  made  a  claim  on  Clear 
Creek;  he  spent  the  winter  of  1827-8,  at  Washington,  Tazewell  County, 
but  returned  in  the  spring,  and  with  his  brother-in-law,  C.  S.  Edwards, 
settled  in  what  afterward  became  Marshall  County.  E.  B.  Wilson  also 
came  in  1827  or  '28,  and  made  a  claim. 

•  In  1827  there  was  trouble  expected  with  the  Winnebagoes,  but  it 
blew  over.  The  country  was  full  of  Indians,  and  there  was  a  feeling  of 
feverish  unrest  until  General  Cass  came  West  and  met  them  in  council  at 
the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  when  a  lasting  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded. 

A  few  settlers  came  in  during  the  year  1828,  but  none  permanently 
except  Hartwell  Haley,  who  made  a  claim  near  the  west  end  of  Ox  Bow 
Prairie.  Louis  Knox  made  a  claim  on  Clear  Creek,  but  afterward  sold 
it  and  went  to  California. 

In  1829  came  George  Hildebrant,  Isaac  Hildebrant,  Asahel  Hannum, 
David  Boyle,  William  Graves,  Major  Elias  Thompson,  George  Hollen- 
beck,  and  Aaron  Payne,  an  eccentric  preacher,  who  located  at  Payne's 
Point,  and  after  the  Indian  war  went  to  Oregon.  Dr.  Fyffe  located  on 
Ox  Bow,  near  Boyles;  Christopher  Wagner,  near  Magnolia;  Hiram 
Allen,  east  of  Loyds',  on  the  creek;  Wm.  Kincaid,  on  Ox  Bow,  west  of 
Haley's;  Cornelius  Hunt,  south-east  of  Magnolia,  toward  Sandy  Creek; 
Isaac  Springer  also  made  some  improvements  near  the  village  this  year. 


SOAP  AND  WATEE  ON  A  CLAY  HEARTH.  211 

In  1830  Lyman  Horrom  settled  near  Caledonia;  Joseph  Ash,  near 
Payne's  Point;  Reuben  Ash  in  the  same  locality;  John  Wilson,  Aaron 
Whittaker,  John  Whittaker  and  Jonathan  Wilson  settled  in  the  same 
neighborhood;  Joseph  Funk,  north  of  Caledonia;  Aaron  Bascomb,  north 
of  Ox  Bow,  on  the  south  bluff  of  the  creek. 

In  the  same  year  came  also  John  E.  and  George  Dent  and  made  claims 
on  Ox  Bow;  likewise  Ephraim  Smith  and  Lewis  J.  Beck,  who  settled  near 
the  Quaker  meeting  house.  Mr.  Smith  is  the  sole  survivor  of  those  named, 
and  still  resides  upon  the  place  he  entered. 

In  1831  James  S.  Hunt  came  to  Ox  Bow  and  remained  until 
December,  1832,  when  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Sandy  Creek,  near 
the  Cumberland  Church. 

In  1832,  few  settlers  came  to  the  country,  and  many  who  were  here, 
alarmed  at  the  prospect,  abandoned  their  claims  and  never  returned. 
After  the  war  was  over,  a  few  came  in,  among  them  Enoch  Dent,  and 
settled  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie,  two  miles  south-east  of  Magnolia;  also  Isaac  D. 
Glenn,  Henry  Hartenbower,  L.  T.  and  Henry  Studyvin  and  John  German. 

In  1833  James  Shields  settled  on  Ox  Bow  and  began  his  improve- 
ments, buying  the  claim  of  Elias  Thompson,  who  moved  to  Henry.  Isaac 
Ash  came  also,  and  George  Griffith,  Robert  Dugan,  Isaac  Parsons  and 
William  and  Joseph  Hoyle.  The  latter  moved  into  a  cabin  built  by  a 
Mr.  Gunn,  who  afterward  moved  to  La  Salle.  It  was  quite  primitive  in 
character,  and  having  been  built  during  the  Indian  war  excitement,  had 
port  holes  in  the  sides  for  defense.  It  was  sixteen  feet  square,  had  a 
"shake"  roof  and  the  old  fashioned  chimney,  with  dried  clay  hearth. 
Mrs.  Hoyle  was  a  Quakeress,  and,  like1  her  "friends"  noted  for  extreme 
neatness  and  tidy  surroundings;  so  about  the  first  thing  she  undertook  was 
to  polish  up  with  soap  and  water  that  clay  hearth,  not  doubting  but  she 
could  make  it  clean  and  white,  until  it  assumed  the  consistency  of  a  sort 
of  mortal1  bed,  when  she  perceived  her  error  and  abandoned  the  job  with 
disgust. 

In  1834  came  John  Goddard,  D.  P.  Fyffe  and  Thomas  Patterson,  the 
latter  buying  the  Knox  claim  and  laying  out  the  village  of  Magnolia. 

In  1835  came  John  Lewis,  somewhat  noted  for  his  energetic  devotion 
to  the  cause  of  the  negro,  and  settled  north  of  Captain  Hawes'  farm. 
John  Hall  settled  in  Magnolia  the  same  year,  and  built  here  one  of  the 
first  houses  in  the  village.  Alexander  Bowman  also  came  this  same 
season. 


212  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

In  1835  Dr.  J.  B.  Ashley,  George  W.  Ditman,  Amos  Harvey  and  James 
and  William  Ramage  came  to  Magnolia.  William  Lewis,  the  noted 
Abolitionist,  removed  from  his  farm  near  Ilennepin  and  settled  near  his 
brother,  John  Lewis.  Sarah  Baker  settled  this  year  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie. 

In  1837  William  and  Sarah  Wireman,  and  the  family  of  Benjamin 
Lundy,  followed  by  himself  three  years  afterwards,  were  added  to  the 
"Quaker  settlement,"  now  gaining  rapidly  in  numbers  and  influence. 

In  1838  came  Joel  Hawes,  who  lived  a  while  on  the  farm  of  his 
brother,  Captain  Hawes,  and  subsequently  bought  a  claim  from  Elisha 
Swan,  north  of  and  near  Magnolia,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided. 
William  Dixon  settled  on  what  is  known  as  the  Thomas  Filson  place, 
which  was  sold  to  the  latter  in  1848. 

In  1840  came  William  Swaney,  and  settled  north  of  Clear  Creek,  on 
his  present  farm,  and  Joseph  Mills  located  on  the  prairie  to  the  eastward, 
in  the  center  of  the  "Quaker  settlement." 

[NOTE. — We  have  given  the  above  names  and  elates  as  nearly  as  could  be  ascertained, 
though  it  is  not  claimed  they  are  correct.  Most  of  the  parties  named  have  either  moved  else- 
where or  paid  the  debt  of  nature,  and  dates  of  their  arrival  and  settlement  can  only  be  ap- 
proximated.— ED.] 


THE  VILLAGE  OF  MAGNOLIA. 

Magnolia  is  situated  in  the  extreme  south-east  corner  of  the  County, 
thirteen  miles  from  Hennepin.  It  is  the  oldest  settled  town  in  Putnam. 
In  the  fall  of  1826,  claims  were  niade  within  a  mile  north  of  the  site,  by 
Capt.  Win.  Hawes,  James  W.  Willis  and  Stephen  D.  Willis,  who  are  be- 
lieved to  have  been  the  first  to  penetrate  that  part  of  the  wilderness  with 
the  intention  of  settling.  The  next  year  John  Knox  arrived,  and  located 
upon  the  site  of  Magnolia. 

The  first  public  school  house  was  put  up  in  a  field  used  as  a  brick 
yard,  and  was  a  small  log  structure,  erected  in  1H3C,  and  Andrew  Burns, 
brother  of  Judge  Burns,  was  the  first  teacher.  Thomas  Patterson,  the 
founder  of  the  town,  which  he  hoped  to  see  grow  into  a  populous  city, 
built  this  humble  edifice,  and  dedicated  it  to  science.  Though  it  never 
became  the  initiative  of  a  Yale  or  Dartmouth  College,  it  grew  to  be  a 
large  public  school,  graded  and  improved  as  the  times  progressed,  and  now 
affords  the  rising  generation  all  the  advantages  of  a  general  education. 

The  first  public  house  was  kept  by  John  Knox,  though  every  house 


THE  FOUNDERS  OF  THE  QUAKER  SETTLEMENT.  213 

those  days  entertained  travelers,  for  the  rules  of  hospitality  forbade  to 
turn  a  stranger  from  the  door.  "  Knox's  Tavern  "  (a  double  log  house) 
was  afterward  the  stopping  place  for  Frink  &  Walker's  stages,  and  be- 
came famous  along  the  line  for  its  comforts  and  conveniences. 

John  McKisson  and  Thomas  Patterson  were  the  first  merchants,  and 
the  yard-stick  owned  by  the  latter  is  still  in  the  possession  of  Captain 
Hawes,  who  preserves  it  as  a  memento  of  old  times.  Elisha  Swan  also 
was  a  trader  here  for  a  time. 

For  some  years  after  Magnolia  was  settled  the  post  office  was  at  Rob- 
ert's Point,  and  Geo.  Ditman  had  to  go  thither  for  his  mail  as  late  as  1836. 

The  first  preacher  was  old  Jesse  Walker,  who  visited  the  future  vil- 
lage in  1828.  He  had  a  trading  post  at  Ottawa,  and  obtained  goods  at 
St.  Louis,  which  he  brought  up  in  a  keel  boat.  He  preached  occasionally 
here  and  at  Hollenback's,  as  well  as  other  places  in  this  section.  He  was 
a  curious,  bluff  old  man,  and  rather  shrewd  in  business.  His  favorite  by- 
word or  heavy  anathema  was  "  I  snum!" 

At  one  time  the  town  gave  promise  of  large  future  growth,  but  the 
building  up  of  other  centres  of  .business  attracted  people  elsewhere,  and 
much  of  its  glory  has  departed. 


THE  SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 

The  pioneers  of  the  "Society  of  Friends,"  or  Quakers,  who  settled  in 
Putnam  County,  were  the  brothers  Joseph  and  William  Hoyle,  English- 
men by  birth,  who  made  claims  and  built  their  humble  cabins  near  the 
head  of  Clear  Creek,  in  the  spring  of  1833.  They  were  accompanied  by 
George  Griffith,  an  old  neighbor  in  Eastern  Ohio.  These  three  families 
made  their  homes  near  together,  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  "  Quaker 
settlement,"  now  an  important  portion  of  the  community  of  the  Township. 
Jehu  Lewis  and  his  family  moved  to  the  neighborhood  in  1836,  from 
Tazewell  County. 

In  1837  Sarah  —  or  "Grandmother"-  — Wireman  and  her  two  daughters, 
with  her  son  William  and  his  family,  came  from  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 
William  Lewis  and  his  family,  and  Elijah  Kirk  and  family  had  previously 
arrived  and  made  themselves  homes. 

In  1839  Joseph  Mills  visited  this  locality  on  a  prospecting  tour,  and 
was  so  well  pleased  with  the  surroundings  that  he  bought  a  small  tract  of 


214  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

land,  determined  to  make  it  his  future  home.  His  report  was  so  favorable 
that  his  son  Henry  was  induced  to  emigrate  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  In 
the  spring  of  1840,  Joseph  Mills  and  his  family,  including  Joshua  his  son, 
now  a  resident  of  the  settlement,  returned  to  their  new  home,  accompanied 
by  Eli  Haley  and  his  daughter  Elizabeth. 

The  first  "open  meeting"  \vas  held  at  the  cabin  of  Grandmother 
Wireman,  soon  after  it  was  built,  in  the  fall  of  1$37,  where  the  settlers 
met  to  worship.  This  meeting  was  followed  by  others  at  long  intervals, 
until  their  increasing  numbers  made  the  narrow  limits  of  the  cabin  too 
small  and  in  1840  they  changed  to  a  small  log  school  house  standing  on 
the  north  branch  of  Clear  Creek.  This  was  built  in  1838,  though  first 
used  in  1840. 

In  1840  William  Swaney  came,  with  the  intention  of  making  this  his 
future  home. 

The  first  death  among  the  members  was  that  of  Edith,  wife  of  Wni. 
Hoyle,  in  1840. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  Friends'  settlement  was  that  of  Isaac  Griffith 
an  1  Eliza  Latiiy,  dra^lit-jr  of  Bjnja'nm  Luruly,  in  March,  1841.  The 
wedding. ceremony  was  performed  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Hoyle. 
Marriages  among  the  members  of  the  Society  of  "Friends"  are  conducted 
in  a  peculiar  manner.  The  groom  in  ths  presence  of  the  congregation 
promises  to  "love,  cherish,  and  protect,"  and  the  bride  to  "love,  honor, 
and  obey."  The  parties  then  sign  a  paper  attesting  the  fact,  to  which 
those  present  attach  their  signatures  as  witnesses,  which  is  deposited  among 
the  archives,  and  the  ceremony  is  finished.  No  parade  or  display  is  allowed, 
and  wedding  presents  are  not  encouraged.  It  is  a  plain,  solemn  perform- 
ance and  when  finished,  the  couple  go  about  their  business. 

The  new  Society  was  not  recognized  by  the  general  organization  of  the 
"Friends"  until  November  4,  1841,  when  A.  Knight  and  others  came 
from  Indiana  as  a  committee,  and  called  a  formal  meeting  for  worship 
and  preparation,  and  commenced  their  monthly  meetings.  Win.  Lewis 
was  chosen  the  first  clerk  of  the  Society. 

They  had  in  the  meantime  begun  the  erection  of  a  brick  church,  or 
meeting  house,  but  it  was  not  finished  and  occupied  until  the  spring  of 
1842. 

The  old  log  school  house,  where  the  Society  met  and  worshipped  pre- 
vious to  this,  has  long  since  passed  away,  but  our  illustration  represents 
it  very  correctly. 


THE    PROSPERITY    OF    THE    SOCIETY.  215 

During  those  years  the  country  was  rapidly  filling  up,  the  members 
were  prosperous,  and  numerous  additions  were  made  to  the  Society. 

Up  to  this  date  they  had  no  regular  leader  Miss  Rebecca  Fell  had  a 
certificate  as  minister  according  to  the  rules  of  the  sect,  but  she  lived  some 
distance  away  and  could  not  attend.  Joseph  Mills  was  felt  to  be  entirely 
competent  to  fill  the  place,  but  had  never  been  "  recommended,"  as  it  is 
termed. 

In  1843,  in  "the  first  month,'1  as  they  term  it  (January),  Wm.  M. 
Price  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Wireman,  according  to  the  customs  of 
the  Society,  but  the  ceremony  was  so  much  at  variance  with  the  customs 
of  other  religious  denominations  that  some  proposed  to  prosecute  the  couple 
for  living  together  in  unlawful  wedlock.  So  prone  are  some  people  to 
mind  business  not  their  own!  These  over-zealous  law-abiding  citizens 
consulted  lawyers  and  read  the  statutes  in  vain,  for  the  laws  duly  scanned 
declared  that  a  public  notice  to  the  world  in  a  .public  meeting,  five  weeks 
prior  to  the  day  of  the  intended  marriage,  constituted  a  suffi- 
cient notification  to  make  the  marriage  binding. 

In  the  year  1845,  Joseph  Edwards  and  Ann,  his  wife,  came  to  the  set- 
tlement, she  being  the  second  "recorded  minister"  for  this  Society;  i.  e.: 
One  whose  qualifications  have  been  duly  approved  by  the  Socie- 
ty, and  therefore  allowed  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  a  minister.  She  was 
very  eloquent  and  justly  appreciated,  but  her  failing  health  compelled  her 
to  desist  after  a  short  season  of  labor,  and  not  long  after  she  died. 

The  organization,  though  still  not  numerous  in  members,  continued  to 
grow  and  prosper,  while  laboring  under  many  disadvantages,  being  pe- 
culiarly organized.  It  was  constituted  a  branch  of  the  Blue  River,  (Ind.) 
quarterly  meeting,  to  which  it  was  required  to  report  every  three  months. 
This  parent  body  met  alternately  at  Terre  Haute  and  at  New  Albany,  in 
Indiana,  300  miles  away.  The  distance  was  so  great  that  these  reports 
could  not  be  sent  oftener  than  once  or  twice  a  year. 

In  the  course  of  time  other  meetings  sprung  up  within  a  radius  of  from 
sixty  to  one  hundred  and  ten  miles,  and  the  Society  here  applied  for  per- 
mission to  have  their  quarterly  extended  to  yearly  meetings,  to  be  held  at 
the  brick  church  on  Clear  Creek,  which  was  granted,  and  much  advantage 
was  derived  from  the  change. 

In  the  course  of  tune  the  "  Friends  "  in  the  West  were  so  strengthened 
in  numbers  as  to  enable  them  to  have  two  general  quarterly  meetings — 
two  in  Indiana  and  two  in  Illinois.  This  continued  until  1874,  when  the 


216  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Putnam  Society  embraced  all  the  "Friends"  in  both  States,  with  Clear 
Creek  Church  as  the  central  point.  A  body  of  Friends  in  Iowa  also 
united  with  this  Society,  giving  it  an  extensive  scope  of  territory,  forming 
as  united,  "The  Illinois  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends, "  a  general  gathering 
of  which  was  held  here  in  the  "ninth  month"  (September)  1875,  and 
worked  under  the  auspices  of  the  Baltimore  and  Indiana  yearly  meetings, 
the  Illinois  section  and  the  Indiana  and  Iowa  Friends  all  constituting  a 
branch  of  the  Baltimore  yearly  meetings.  The  assemblage  above  referred 
"to  was  largely  attended,  and  at  its  yearly  convocations  are  seen  represen- 
tatives from  all  the  societies  in  the  West. 

In  1809  they  built  a  large  and  convenient  meeting  house. on  the  prairie 
northeast  of  Magnolia,  for  the  yearly  assemblies,  costing  $5,500.  The 
total  membership  of  the  yearly  meetings,  composed  of  a  few  Friends  in 
Indiana  and  those  of  Illinois  and  Iowa,  numbers  thirteen  hundred  people. 

In  1878  they  adopted  a  new  discipline  for  the  government  of  the 
Church,  which  has  become  vastly  popular  among  the  members  everywhere. 
"It  looks  upon  Christ  as  the  rock  and  foundation  stone,  upon  which  all 
who  worship  the  Father  in  Spirit  and  truth  may  stand.  To  Him  all  can 
come  and  partake  of  the  waters  of  life  freely,  'without  money  and  without 
price." 

The  local  Society  in  1880  numbered  187  persons,  and  is  in  a  prosper- 
ous condition.  The  Friends  comprise  the  best  citizens  of  the  County,  and 
are  noted  for  their  industry,  good  order,  honesty  and  hospitality.  Clean- 
liness is  recognized  as  next  to  Godliness,  and  in  their  persons  and  habits 
and  about  their  dwellings  this  excellent  virtue  is  a  notable,  unvarying 
and  unexceptional  rule.  They  are  clean  in  person  and  pure  in  lan- 
guage. As  a  community,  they  are  law-abiding,  honest  and  peaceful,  and 
cherish  sentiments  of  love  and  charity  toward  every  animate  object. 


THE  OLD    SCHOOL  HOUSE. 

The  oldest  school  house  in  the  Tawnship,  if  not  in  the  County,  was 
biiilt  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1830,  and  stood  on  Clear  Creek,  about  one 
mile  above  the  Camp  Ground. 

It  was  of  hewn  logs,  sixteen  feet  square,  with  a  hole  for  a  window, 
made  by  sawing  out  a  log.  Its  roof  was  covered  with  sticks,  and  C.  S. 
Edwards,  the  pioneer  pedagogue,  opened  school  therein  January  6th, 


FORT — THE  HOME  GUARDS.  217 

1831,  and  taught  till  February,  1832.  When  he  began  his  labors  the 
school  house  was  unfinished,  and  there  was  neither  a  floor  nor  a  perma- 
nent door.  The  school,  during  Mr.  Edwards'  connection  and  for  many 
years  after,  was  supported  on  the  "pay"  or  subscription  plan.  The  pat- 
rons of  this  first  school,  or  perhaps  during  the  year  between  the  dates 
given,  were:  Aaron  Whittaker,  Thornton  Wilson,  -  Studdyvin, 

Aaron  Payne,  David  Boyle,  Hartwell  Haley,  George  Hiltabrant,  Wm. 
Graves  and  Ashael  llannum.  The  average  attendance  at  this  very  primi- 
tive school  was  about  fifteen  to  twenty  in  winter,  and  from  ten  to  twelve 
in  summer. 


JEREMIAH  STRAWN'S  FORT. 

During  the  war  Jeremiah  Strawn  protected  his  cabins  by  a  strong 
stockade,  in  which  dwelt  his  own  family,  Mrs.  E.  Armstrong's  family, 
Aaron  Payue  and  Andrew  Whittaker  and  their  families.  It  made  quite 
a  little  community,  and  all  the  available  space  in  the  cabin  was  occupied 
at  night,  the  floors  being  covered  with  sleeping  humanity,  large  and 
small.  During  the  day  the  men  worked  outside,  with  guns  ready  for  use. 

One  Saturday  afternoon  some  malicious  person  rode  past  the  fort  and 
screamed,  "Indians!  Indians!"  The  women  were  nearly  frantic  by  the 
time  the  men  returned,  and  Mr.  Strawn  and  Mr.  Payne  rode  back  to  Mag- 
nolia and  thence  to  Hennepin,  finding  no  Indians. 

The  news  of  impending  war  was  brought  to  the  settlement  by  Elisha 
Swan,  who  advised  the  settlers  to  volunteer  for  public  defense  or  they 
would  b«  drafted.  Some  did  neither,  but  left  for  the  southward  —  some 
to  return  after  the  war,  and  others  to  remain  permanently  away.  But  the 
majority  at  once  shouldered  their  guns  and  reported  ready  for  duty. 

They  armed  themselves,  and  each  man  had  a  uniform  peculiar  to  his 
own  notions  of  war.  Some  wore  coon-skin  caps,  others  wore  straw  hats 
of  home  manufacture,  while  a  few  boasted  no  rim  at  all.  Guns  were  of 
various  sizes  and  different  lengths,  generally  however,  much  longer  than 
the  modern  style.  These  home  guards  were  on  duty  about  six  weeks, 
and  but  few,  if  any  of  them,  saw  ah  Indian  during  the  entire  campaign, 
though  each  received  a  land  warrant  from  the  Government  for  his  services. 


218 


RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN    TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    GOOD    OLD    TIMES. 

COUNTRY'S  HISTORY  is  made  up  mainly  of  indi- 
vidual incidents  in  the  lives  of  its  citizens,  and  if  our 
"Records"  largely  abound  in  such,  it  is  that  the  picture 
may  be  true  to  nature.  But  few  remain  of  those  who 

saw  this  fair  land  as  it  came  from  the  hand  of  the.  Maker, 

7 

and  if  we  devote  unusual    space  to  them  the   reason  is 

apparent. 

There  was  very  little  money,  and  business  was  con- 
ducted on  the  exchange  or  barter  system.  The  farmer  raised  what  food 
was  required,  also  wool  for  winter  and  flax  for  summer  clothing.  The 
latter  was  dressed  by  the  men  and  boys  in  winter  and  spun  and  wove, 
dyed  and  made  into  clothing  by  the  females  of  the  household.  It  made 
dresses  for  the  ladies  and  shirts  and  pants  for  the  men.  In  the  winter 
the  former  wore  linsey  woolsey,  and  the  latter  substantial  suits  made  of 
Kentucky  jeans,  hand  woven  in  the  family  loom,  and  colored  with  "store 
dyes,"  or  oftener  in  the  "blue  dye  tub,"  without  which  no  well  regulated 
household  was  complete. 

For  Sunday  afternoons,  meetings  and  christenings,  a  neat  calico 
was  worn,  and  their  granddaughters  of  to-day,  arrayed  in  costly  silks 
and  flounces,  never  look  so  pretty  as  did  their  rosy-cheeked  mothers 
and  grandmothers  in  those  days.  Their  wants  were  few  and  their  "  store 
bills  "  light.  If  extravagance  was  visible  in  any  one  thing,  it  was  in  the 
intemperate  use  of  coffee. 

Salt  was  a  necessity,  likewise  tobacco,  "ague  medicine"  and  whisky. 
The  children  went  barefoot  in  summer,  and  often  the  men  also,  but  in  the 
fall  the  thrifty  farmer  procured  a  couple  sides  of  leather,  and  the  ever 
welcome  cobbler  came  with  his  kit  of  tools  and  regularly  shod  the  whole 
family.  It  was  good  and  substantial  work,  too,  and  lasted  a  whole  year. 
The  women,  like  the  men,  wore  good,  honest  cowhide,  and  bade  defiance 
to  the  snows  and  rains  of  winter,  and  neuralgia  andthe  thousand  and 
one  ailments  that  women  are  now  subject  to  were  unknown. 


DOMESTIC    LIFE    OF    THE    PIONEERS.  221 

For  lights,  a  supply  of  resinous  pine  knots,  gathered  along  the  bluffs 
of  the  river,  furnished  a  good  substitute,  and  next  to  this  was  a  dish  of 
grease,  into  which  a  lighted  rag  for  a  wick  was  placed,  called  a  "slut." 
Then  came  tallow  candles,  and  it  was  the  duty  of  the  housewife  to  pre- 
pare in  the  fall  the  yearly  supply.  She  also  laid  in  ample  stores  of  dried 
pumpkins,  blackberries  and  com,  and  gathered  medicinal  herbs  for  sick- 
ness. Every  mother  was  a  doctor.  Medicine  was  less  relied  on  than 
nursing,  and  the  simple  remedies  prescribed  were  found  as  successful  in 
practice  as  the  more  elaborate  and  costly  medicaments  of  later  days. 

The  midwife  in  those  days  was  an  important  personage,  with  whom  it 
was  well  to  be  on  good  terms.  Her  will  was  law,  her  advice  was  regarded, 
and  her  name  commemorated  in  the  families  of  her  customers.  One  of  the 
most  noted  of  these  was  Mrs.  John  Strawn,  who,  it  is  claimed,  attended 
to  over  four  hundred  cases  without  an  accident.  Many  gray-haired  men 
and  women  of  to-day  obtained  their  first  "start"  in  the  world  at  her 
hands. 

As  before  stated,  when  sickness  came,  reliance  was  mainly  upon  nurs- 
ing, and  every  neighborhood  had  its  good  motherly  woman  ready  to  go 
without  money  and  without  price,  whenever  called  upon,  and  many  an  old 
settler  can  attest  the  tender  soothing  care  with  which  they  smoothed  the 
ailing  brow,  or  administered  the  cooling  draught. 

Those  dear  old  hands  are  folded  in  death,  those  loving,  benevolent 
faces,  so  full  of  tender,  solicitude,  have  gone  from  our  gaze  forever,  the 
eyes  of  love  have  lost  their  brightness,  and  their  voices  are  hushed 
forever. 

True  and  faithful  were  those  tender  watchers  at  fevered  bedsides,  and 
may  we  not  hope  "  they  too  have  their  reward." 

The  latch-string  always  "hung  outside,"  which  meant  that  visitors 
were  welcome,  and  strangers  were  not  turned  away.  Hospitality  was 
universal,  and  he  who  did  not  practice  it  would  have  been  shunned.  In 
those  halcyon  days,  neighbors  were  neighbors,  and  distance  was  never 
taken  into  account.  Fanners  stocked  their  own  plows  — a  clumsey,  heavy, 
awkward  implement  with  a  wooden  mould-board.  They  tilled  corn  with 
a  sort  of  shovel  plow,  which  covered  corn  as  well  as  weeds,  and  left 
ready  for  a  fresh  start  as  many  weeds  as  it  killed. 

Each  cabin  had  a  rough  pine  table,  and  if  the  occupant  was  "well  to 
do,"  three  or  four  splint-bottom  chairs;  but  these  were  regarded  as  luxu- 
ries, and  most  settlers  were  content  with  good  stout  puncheon  slabn 


222  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

mounted  on  legs  and  christened  a  stool.  The  bedsteads  were  made  by 
setting  up  posts  and  extending  transverse  poles  into  the  wall,  which  sup- 
ported a  "tick"  filled  with  prairie  grass,  and  on  this,  if  the  occupant  came 
from  the  east,  was  often  laid  a  good  feather  bed — the  sole  bridal  dower 
of  the  woman  of  the  house.  A  few  plates  and  dishes  of  what  was  temied 
"delf  ware"  or  in  their  absence,  plain  tin  or  pewter  plates,  an  iron  spoon 
or  two,  half  a  dozen  knives  and  forks,  an  iron  pot  for  boiling,  a  tea-kettle, 
an  iron  baking  kettle  and  cover,  on  which  live  coals  were  placed,  and  the 
swinging  crane  or  "trammel"  on  which  to  suspend  the  kettles  for  boiling 
constituted  about  all  the  cabins  afforded.  Outside  was  a  capacious  stone 
oven,  where  once  a  week  the  family  bread  was  baked,  and  when  it  could 
be  afforded,  a  "tin  baker"  added  much  to  the  housekeeper's  comfort;  but 
this  was  a  piece  of  luxury  that  did  not  come  until  after  years. 

The  family  cradle — which  must  not  be  forgotten  • — was  made  from 
the  section  of  a  hollow  tree  split  in  halves,  and  rockers  added. 

The  average  farm  laborer  received  from  ten  to  fifteen  dollars  per 
month  and  his  board.  The  price  allowed  for  making  rails  was  fifty  cents 
per  hundred.  Female  help  cost  one  dollar  a  week. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  the  cost  of  living  has  not  materially  changed 
between  then  and  now.  Though  wages  have  increased,  grain  can 
be  raised  as  cheaply  now  as  then,  owing  to  our  improved  machinery, 
consequently  the  farmer  ought  to  accumulate  wealth  as  rapidly. 

The  plows  of  those  days  were  clumsy  contrivances,  merely  pushing  the 
dirt  to  one  side.  They  never  "scoured,"  and  various  were  the  plans 
adopted  to  make  them.  A  dweller  upon  the  Illinois  River  used  to  stretch 
over  the  mould  board  the  smooth  skin  of  the  gar,  a  fish  allied  to  the 
shark  family,  which  answered  the  purpose  while  it  lasted. 

Notwithstanding  these  disadvantages,  they  raised  corn  averaging  forty 
to  fifty  bushels  per  acre,  for  which  they  got  about  twenty  to  twenty-five 
cents  a  bushel.  They  also  raised  excellent  crops  of  wheat,  which  were 
hardly  ever  known  to  fail,  and  yielded  twenty  to  thirty  bushels  per  acre, 
bringing  about  fifty  cents  a  bushel.  They  threshed  it  out  with  horses. 

In  those  days  labor  was  plenty  and  tramps  unknown.  Book  agents  or 
canvassers,  lightning  rod  men  and  insurance  agents  had  not  made  their 
appearance,  and  a  person  who  attempted  to  swindle  his  neighbor,  or  spec- 
ulate upon  one's  misfortune,  would  have  been  driven  from  the  settlement. 

The  prices  for  cows  was  $10.00  to  $15.00  per  head.  A  lot  of  fat 
steers,  which  a  venturesome  settler  drove  to  St.  Louis,  netted  him  six  dol- 


VALUE   OF   FARM   PRODUCTS  —  COST   OF   LIVING.  223 

lars  per  head.  He  became  disgusted  with  it  as  a  market,  and  never, 
visited  that  city  again !  Hogs  were  easily  raised,  as  they  got  their  feed 
in  the  timber,  and  pork  sold  for  $3.00  per  hundred  pounds  ;  but  in  1833, 
owing  to  a  sudden  rush  of  immigration,  it  went  up  to  $10.00  per  cwt. 

The  fanners  raised  sheep  enough  to  make  their  own  clothes,  and  their 
wives  and  daughters  spun  and  wove  the  wool  by  hand,  until  they  found 
it  was  more  profitable  to  exchange  it  for  cloth  and  woolen  yarn,  which 
was  knitted  at  home.  •  They  hauled  their  wool  fifty  miles  to  get  it 
carded,  and  many  went  as  far  as  the  Sangamon  Mills  near  Springfield. 

A  dinner  in  those  days  cost  a  "bit"  and  supper,  lodging  and  breakfast 
three  bits.  The  food  was  abundant  and  wholesome. 

From  182G  to  1832,  Indians  were  numerous  and  peacable,  bringing 
the  settlers  little  delicacies  which  they  did  not  possess  such  as  honey, 
maple  sugar,  game  and  flsh. 


JEREMIAH  STRAWN'S  PRAIRIE. 

This  fertile  region  north  of  Magnolia,  in  Putnam  County,  was  settled 
by  white  people  over  fifty  years  ago.  The  first  comer  was  Jeremiah 
Strawn,  who  traveled  on  horseback  from  the  Wabash  River  to  Spring- 
field, and  thence  north  to  his  future  home,  arrriving  there  in  September, 
1828;  and  in  the  spring  of  1829,  assisted  by  George  Hollenback,  Jr.,  he 
put  up  a  log  house  on  his  claim.  The  logs  were  too  large  for  two  men  to 
handle,  so  they  were  split  in  two.  Strawn's  nearest  neighbor  was  a  Mr. 
Payne,  on  Clear  Creek,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  away.  While  himself 
and  hired  man  were  building  the  house  they  lived  on  "  pork  and  pone," 
the  latter  made  of  corn  pounded  on  a  stump,  and  saturated  with  hogs  fat 
and  baked  on  hot  stones  laid  in  ashes. 

Mr.  Strawn  returned  for  his  family  as  soon  as  his  cabin  was  com- 
pleted, and  started  on  his  return  trip  August  19,  1839.  He  had  two 
teams,  one  a  large  Ohio  wagon,  drawn  by  four  horses  and  the  other  by 
three.  They  found  no  settlers  between  the  Wabash  River  and  Spring- 
field, save  one,  in  a  log  house,  near  the  he%d  of  Sangamo  River,  as  it  was 
then  called. 

The  first  birth  on  this  prairie  was  that  of  Zelpha,  daughter  of  Jere- 
miah Strawn,  in  1832,  and  the  first  death  was  December,  1831,  a  son  of 
Mr.  Basone,  one  of  Mr.  Strawn's  tenants. 


224  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

The  first  wedding  was  that  of  Mr.  Abner  Boyle  and  Miss  Wilson,  in 
1831,  and  the  next,  a  few  weeks  later,  in  December,  1831,  was  the  mar- 
riage of  James  Harper  to  Miss  Ash. 

Rev.  Mr.  Royal  was  a  ciroiit  preacher  then.  His  circxiit  was  of  im- 
mense extent.  It  reached  from  Mackinaw,  Ills,,  to  Galena;  thence  to 
Chicago,  and  down  the  river  to  Joliet,  Morris,  Ottawa  and  Strawn's,  and 
it  required  four  weeks  for  him  to  "get  around!"  He  traveled  it  for  a 
couple  of  years,  beginning  in  1831. 

The  first  school  house  was  a  log  building,  put  up  by  Strawn  and 
Whittaker  in  1833.  It  was  superseded  by  a  frame  house  in  1836,  a 
few  weeks  after  Strawn  had  finished  his  own  new  house,  the  first  frame 
structure  in  the  settlement.  He  built  a  fine  church  and  donated  it  to  the 
Methodists  in  1856. 

BOBBERY     OF    JEREMIAH    STRAWN. 

\ 

From  1840  to  1846  the  Mississippi  Valley  was  infested  by  a  gang  of 
robbers  known  as  the  "  Banditti- of  the  Prairies."  They  were  a  regularly 
organized  band  of  villians,  ready  to  steal  a  purse,  rob  a  house,  or  cut  a 
throat  to  further  their  ends.  They  had  rendezvous  at  different  places  all 
over  the  country — hiding  places  for  themselves  and  plunder.  Generally 
the  keepers  of  these  resorts  were  quiet,  well  appealing  men,  who  were 
reasonably  free  from  suspicion  in  the  community  in  which  they  lived. 
Whenever  it  could  be  done  they  contrived  to  get  members  of  their  gang 
appointed  or  elected  to  office,  and  especially  the,  to  them,  important  posi- 
tions of  sheriff,  jailor  and  constables,  and  even  now  and  then  a  justice  of 
the  peace.  They  conducted  their  business  secretly  and  systematically. 
A  horse  stolen  in  one  neighborhood  was  promptly  sent  to  some  remote 
settlement  for  sale  or  trade.  Up  to  1845  they  had  confined  their  opera- 
tions principally  to  stealing  horses,  but  this  year  they  concluded  to  ad- 
vance into  the  more  hazardous  and,  when  successful,  more  remunerative 
department  of  house  breaking  and  robbery. 

On  the  first  week  of  June,  1844,  a  man  made  his  appearance  at  the 
residence  of  Jeremiah  Strawn,  ui  Putnam  County,  pretending  to  be  a  ped- 
dler of  oil-cloths.  He  exhibited  them  to  the  women,  and  remained  awhile 
as  if  to  rest,  but  really  to  take  a  survey  of  the  premises.  On  seeing  Mr. 
Strawn  approach  he  hastily  left,  and  Strawn  did  not  see  his  face.  This 
was  Birch,  captain  of  the  robbers. 


AN    OLD-TIME    GANG    OF    THIEVES    AND    BURGLARS.  225 

I 

On  Sunday  soon  after,  a  very  sanctimonious  young  man  appeared 
and  "wanted  accommodations — ah,  during  the  holy  Sabbath — ah,  for 
himself  and  beast — ah,  as  he  never  traveled  on  the  Lord's  day  —  ah!" 
They  kept  this  picus  individual,  who  spent  most  of  his  time  in  reading 
the  Bible,  and  showed  very  little  inclination  to  carry  on  conversation.  This 
was  Long,  the  business  man  of  the  gang.  The  horse  he  rode  he  had 
stolen  a  few  nights  before  from  Mr.  Lewis. 

Long  had  with  him  a  pair  of  old  saddle-bags,  which  Strawn  judged  to 
be  empty,  but  from  the  fellow's  appearance,  supposed  him  to  be  some  poor 
preacher,  and  thought  no  more  of  it.  The  fellow  said  his  name  was  Allen, 
and  he  wanted  to  buy  a  small  farm.  On  leaving  he  pulled  out  a  five  dol- 
lar gold  piece  to  pay  for  his  keeping.  Strawn  was  not  disposed  to  charge 
anything,  since  he  was  likely  to  be  a  prospective  neighbor,  but  the  Rev. 
Allui  was  very  anxious  to  get  the  money  changed,  the  object  being  to 
find  where  Strawn  kept  his  valuables. 

In  a  few  days  there  came  another  confederate, —  a  little  old  man  ar- 
rayed in  a  suit  of  clothing  a  tramp  would  scarce  be  seen  in.  His  coat 
would  have  fitted  a  giant,  but  on  his  diminutive  form  the  waist  came  little 
above  the  knees,  the  skirts  were  cut  down  to  suit  his  form,  the  sleeves 
also  being  served  in  like  manner.  He  was  barefoot  and  lame,  and  had 
straggling  gray  hair  and  whiskers.  This  was  Fox,  rigged  out  for  the 
occasion,  and  Fox,  as  his  name  indicates,  was  one  of  the  cunningest  men 
in  the  band.  Mrs.  Strawn  gave  him  some  food  and  fifty  cents  in  silver. 

On  the  day  succeeding  Fox's  visit  came  a'  slick-looking  young  man, 
who  sold  types  and  ink  for  marking  linen.  He  was  extremely  voluble, 
and  seemed  to  be  quite  a  wide-awake  and,  withal,  agreeable  youth.  This 
was  Luther,  —  no  relation  to  the  celebrated  Christian  of  that  name, 
but  a  bold  villain.  All  except  Long  had  evaded  Strawn,  for  the  reason 
that  they  did  not  wish  him  to  recognize  them  afterward. 

On  the  night  of  June  17,  1845,  toward  twelve  o'clock,  four  rob- 
bers came  to  Strawn's  house,  and  Long  entered  by  a  window,  the  occu- 
pants, having  no  reason  to  expect  such  visitors,  seldom  fastening  either 
windows  or  doors. 

Long  was  armed  with'  an  ax,  to  be  used  in  an  emergency,  but  especially 
to  break  open  the  chest  supposed  to  contain  valuables.  He  at  once  un- 
bolted the  door  and  let  in  his  confederates,  provided  with  candles,  and 
while  some  helped  themselves  to  eatables,  oth  rs  made  their  way  to 
Strawn's  room,  who  was  awakened  by  a  man  staining  over  him  with  a 


226  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

cocked  pistol  in  hand,  and  ordered  to  lie  still  and  cover  up  his  head, 
which  was  done. 

What  money  Strawn  possessed  was  in  a  chest  under  the  bed  where 
the  children  slept,  in  another  room.  He  told  the  robbers  where  the  money 
would  be  found,  but  begged  them  not  to  scare  the  girls.  They  did  not 
frighten  the  young  ladies  more  than  they  had  already,  as  by  this 
time  they  were  nearly  scared  to  death.  The  chest  was  made  to  yield  up 
its  contents,  and  the  robbers  returned  in  high  passion.  They  had  ex- 
pected to  find  $8,000  or  $10,000,  and  instead  had  discovered  only  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars.  They  were  greatly  disgusted,  and 
threatened  to  burn  down  the  house  unless  more  was  forthcoming,  swear- 
ing it  did  not  pay  for  the  cost  and  trouble  incurred.  Next  they  asked 
who  slept  up  stairs,  and  were  told  it  was  a  preacher,  which  seemed  to 
please  them,  and  they  visited  his  room.  The  poor  minister,  a  Mr.  Burr, 
trembled  with  fear  while  they  were  taking  his  watch  and  nine  dollars  in 
cash,  all  he  had.  They  debated  about  killing  him,  one  fellow  heartlessly 
remarking  there  would  be  little  or  no  harm,  as  he  was  a  preacher  and 
bound  to  go  to  heaven  anyhow.  Once  he  attempted  to  look  out,  where- 
upon a  man  brandished  an  ax  and  told  him  to  lie  still  or  he  would  split 
his  head  open. 

They  pretended  to  have  a  gang  of  twenty  men  outside,  all  armed  to 
the  teeth,  and  threatened  to  kill  Strawn  if  he  dared  follow  or  give  any 
alarm. 

They  tried  to  find  more  money,  and  asked  for  the  keys  of  a  bureau, 
which  was  locked.  Mrs.  Strawn  told  them  where  the  keys  were.  They 
got  them,  and  on  failing  to  unlock  it  they  were  about  to  slash  it  to  pieces 
when  Mrs.  S.  told  them  the  particular  key  to  use.  They  searched  all 
the  drawers  in  vain,  and  at  length  departed,  failing  to  extort  a  promise 
from  Strawn  not  to  follow  them. 

They  obtained  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  in  silver  and  a  watch, 
and  from  Rev.  Mr.  Burr,  nine  dollars  and  a  watch.  There  was  an  old 
black  bag  which  hung  in  plain  sight,  which  they  did  not  think  of  open- 
ing. It  contained  fifteen  dollars. 

As  soon  as  they  had  left  Strawn  got  up  and  lighted  candles.  After 
some  exertion  he  managed  to  get  the  preacher  out  of  bed,  still  nearly  pet- 
rified with  fear.  He  wanted  to  have  all  go  back  to  bed  and  remain  there 
until  toward  noon,  by  which  time  he  thought  the  gentlemen  of  the  road 
would  be  too  far  away  to  molest  them ! 


CONFESSION  OF  ONE  OF  THE  BURGLARS.  227 

Strawn  engaged  detectives  and  officers  in  various  directions,  and  at 
length  found  two  of  the  robbers  at  Rock  Island,  in  jail  for  the  murder  of 
Col.  Davenport,  a  tragedy  which  greatly  excited  people  all  over  the 
country,  and  resulted  in  arresting  the  ringleaders  and  bringing  some  of 
them  to  the  scaffold. 

After  killing  Davenport  they  went  down  to  St.  Louis, /and  thence  up 
the  Missouri  River,  where  they  remained  in  hiding  a  few  days  with  Reeves, 
an  old  acquaintance,  banished  the  preceding  season  from  Marshall  County. 
Fearing  to  remain  here,  they  descended  the  river  and  went  to  Ohio,  tracked 
with  the  fidelity  of  a  bloodhound  by  an  able  detective  named  Bonney, 
who  effected  their  arrest  at  Sandusky. 

Birch  told  Strawn  that  Fox  shot  Colonel  Davenport  by  accident,  as  he 
only  meant  to  frighten  him  and  get  his  money,  but  the  pistol  went  off 
unexpectedly. 

Two  Long  brothers  and  Young  were  hung  at  Rock  Island.  Fox 
managed  to  escape  from  an  officer  in  Indiana  in  some  mysterious  and  unex- 
plained way,  and  was  never  heard  of  after. 

Birch  was  in  prison  some  time  at  Knoxville,  on  a  change  of  venue,  and 
finally  through  the  help  of  two  confederates  broke  jail,  and  a  story  after- 
ward got  abroad  that  his  accomplices,  fearing  he  would  turn  State's  evi- 
dence and  reveal  the  names  of  the  gang,  got  him  out  of  jail,  and  it  is  sup- 
posed drowned  him  in  the  Mississippi  River. 


BIKCH'S  CONFESSION. 


The  following  confession  was  taken  down  from  Birch's  own  lips  by  the 
Sheriff  of  Knox  County,  and  afterward  read  to  and  signed  by  Birch : 

"On  or  about  the  17th  of  June  last  (1845),  Wm.  Fox,  John  Long  and 
Wm.  Luther  [lie  leaves  out  himself,  though  he  admitted  being  present], 
robbed  Jeremiah  Strawn  of  about  $100  cash,  $100  in  scrip,  two  watches, 
and  one  horse  pistol,  which  said  pistol  they  flung  away  in  the  yard.  They 
also  got  one  bogus  dollar.  One  watch  was  silver  case,  thick  square  stem, 
compass,  square  and  some  Masonic  fixings  inside.  John  Long  kept  it 
until  it  was  flung  into  Lake  Michigan  by  Birch,  on  the  way  to  Rock 
Island.  The  other  watch  John  Long  left  with  his  father,  Owen  Long, 
who  lived  near  Galena.  Fox  had  the  $100  scrip,  and  gave  it  to  Baxter 
toward  his  share  of  the  money  taken  in  the  robbery  of  Messrs.  Knox  & 
Dewey's  office  in  June  last,  and  Baxter  afterward  sold  it  to  Negus,  of 


228  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Rock  Island.  The  $100  cash  was  divided  between  the  boys  about  the 
first  of  June.  I  saw  all  the  above  men,  and  they  then  infonned  me  that 
they  intended  to  make  the  above  robbery,  to- wit:  Intended  to  robStrawn; 
and  I  saw  them  all  again  in  Nauvoo,  111.,  between  the  10th  and  20th  of 
June,  and  they  informed  me  that  they  had  committed  the  robbery  as 
above  stated. 

"Fox  is  twenty-eight  years  old,  low,  heavy  set,  weighs  180  pounds, 
light  complexion,  large  blue  eyes,  light  hair,  slow  spoken,  and  talks 
through  his  nose  a  little. 

"Lewis,  of  Peru,  who  formerly  kept  tavern  there — I  think  his  name 
is  Jonathan  —  and  kept  the  National,  got  up  the  show,  and  was  to  have 
a  share  in  the  plunder.  About  the  last  week  in  May  I  saw  Lewis  in 
Peru.  John  Long  was  present.  Lewis  told  us  that  Fox  had  been  wait- 
ing for  us,  and  became  alarmed  about  a  horse  that  he  had  stolen  and  sold 
in  Chicago;  and  then  he  had  advised  Fox  to -leave  and  go  to  Nauvoo,  and 
there  wait  for  Birch  and  Long,  and  then  make  arrangements  to  come  up 
and  burst  Strawn.  We  then  went  directly  to  Nauvoo,  and  found  Fox 
and  Luther  there.  The  arrangements  were  all  made,  and  Long,  Fox  and 
Luther  went  up  to  the  neighborhood  of  Strawn's;  and  Long  went  and  staid 
one  night  with  him  to  ascertain  the  situation  of  his  house,  and  in  a  few 
nights  afterward  they  robbed  him  as  before  stated,  and  Luther  immedi- 
ately left  for  Nauvoo,  and  Fox  and  Long  headed  toward  Rock  Island,  but 
all  met  at  Nauvoo. 

"Shortly  afterward  Lewis  stated    that    Strawn  had  a  large  pile  of 
money;  said  that  a  man  who  bought  hogs  of  Strawn  told  him  that  he  paid 
him  $200,  and  that  Strawn  had  more  money  than  he   had  ever  seen  out 
of  a  bank,  and  also  that  he  (Lewis)  knew  that  he  had  a  large  amount. 
"(Signed)  R.  H.  BIRCH. 

"Rock  Island,  November  15,  1845." 


AARON  PAYXK. 

As  stated  elsewhere,  the  family  of  Aaron  Payne,  during  the  Black 
Hawk  troubles,  found  protection  in  the  stockade  of  Jeremiah  Strawn. 
Although  a  minister  and  a  man  of  peace,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  avenge  his 
murdered  brother's  death,  and  when  volunteers  were  called  for  he  became 
a  soldier  until  they  were  disbanded,  and  then  followed  the  army  in  pursuit 


AARON    PAYNE PIONEER    PLOWS.  229 

of  Black  Hawk.  While  pursuing  the  retreating  Indians,  he  passed  a 
sqiiaw  and  a  small  Indian  boy  crouched  behind  a  fallen  tree,  but  thinking 
the  party  harmless,  passed  on  without  molesting  them.  After  the  rangers 
had  passed  the  boy  raised  his  gun  and  shot  Payne  from  his  horse,  and  in 
return  they  were  riddled  with  bullets.  Two  balls  entered  Payne's  shoul- 
der, lodging  near  the  spine,  and  he  was  thought  to  be  mortally  wounded, 
but  was  can-led  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  Crawford,  where  the  wounds 
healed,  but  he  could  not  walk  upright  thereafter. 

About  three  months  after  this  event,  Payne,  pale  and  emaciated,  rode 
up  to  his  cabin  door,  and  was  hailed  by  his  family  and  friends  as  one  risen 
from  the  dead. 

The  following  sketch  relating  to  this  event  is  taken  from  General 
.  Scott's  autobiography,  a  book  published  many  years  ago : 

"While  inspecting  the  hospital  at  Fort  Crawford,  I  was  struck  with 
the  remarkably  fine  head  of  a  tall  volunteer  lying  on  his  side  and  seeking 
relief  in  a  book.  To  ray  question,  'What  have  you  here,  my  friend  ?'  the 
wounded  man  pointed  to 'the  title  page  of  'Young's  Night  Thoughts.'  I 
sat  down  on  the  edge  of  the  bunk,  already  interested  in  the  reader,  to 
learn  more  of  his  history. 

"The  wounded  volunteer  said  his  brother,  Rev.  Adam  Payne,  fell  an 
early  victim  to  Black  Hawk's  band,  and  he  (not  in  the  spirit  of  revenge, 
but  to  protect  the  frontier  settlements)  volunteered  as  a  private  soldier. 
While  riding  into  the  battle-field  of  Bad  Axe  he  passed  a  small  Indian 
boy,  whom  he  might  have  killed,  but  thought  him  a  harmless  child. 
'After  passing,  the  boy  fired,  lodging  two  balls  near  my  spine,  when  I  fell 
from  my  horse.'  The  noble  volunteer,  although  suffering  great  pain  from 
his  wound,  said  he  [(referred  his  condition  to  the  remorse  he  should  hava 
felt  if  he  had  killed  the  boy,  believing  him  to  be  harmless." 

Payne  lived  many  years  at  his  home  on  Clear  Creek,  greatly  respected 
by  all.  He  was  an  earnest  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  and  equally  noted  as  a 
bee  hunter. 

Afterward  he  emigrated  to  Oregon,  where  he  still  lives,  a  hale  and 
hearty  old  man.  He  has  filled  several  public  offices,  and  served  one  term 
in  the  State  Legislature. 


PIONEER  PLOWS. 
From   the  crooked   stick  of  the  Egyptians  to  the   old-fashioned  bull 


230  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

plow  of  our  forefathers,  with  its  rough  handle  and  wooden  mould-board, 
was  a  long  stride  of  progress.  Then  came  a  two-handled  "calamity,"  with 
cast  point  and  land  side,  which  answered  tolerably  well  in  certain  soils, 
but  on  our  rich,  "mucky"  prairies  only  stirred  it  tu  some  extent,  without 
turning  it  over.  It  required  a  strong  propelling  power,  and  must  be 
cleaned  every  few  rods  to  work  at  all.  These  were  the  plows  of  the  early 
settlers  for  many  a  year,  and  with  them  the  soil  of  this  country  was  first 
broken. 

In  1836  George  W.  Ditman  brought  to  Magnolia  two  wrought  iron 
self-scouring  plows,  from  Philadelphia,  but  they  were  not  adapted  to  our 
soil,  and  failed  to.  do  the  work  required. 

In  1841  or  2,  James  Ramage,  of  Magnolia,  worked  out  an  idea  which 
had  found  life  in  his  brain — that  a  plow  could  be  made  that  would  scour. 
After  one  or  two  experiments  he  produced  the  celebrated  "Diamond 
Plow,"  forerunner  of  all  self-cleaning  implements  of  the  plow  kind.  It 
worked  well,  turning  the  soil  smoothly  and  neatly,  covering  up  the  weeds 
and  leaving  the  soil  in  the  best  possible  condition.  Farmers  pronounced 
it  a  success,  and  for  several  years  he  carried  on  the  business  until  others 
with  better  facilities  for  manufacturing  took  away  his  trade. 

Besides  the  plow  manufacture,  another  enterprise  Was  carried  on  here 
for  many  years,  and  one  of  vast  consequence  to  the  people.  This  was 
making  reaping  machines.  Mr.  Win.  E.  Parret  came  to  Putnam  County 
in  March,  1841,  and  settled  in  Magnolia.  He  claims  to  have  invented  the 
scallop-sickle  in  1847,  and  built  reaping  machines,  commencing  in  1849, 
putting  up  the  first  reaper  probably  ever  built  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 
They  were  not  the  perfect  machine  of  the  present  day,  but  the  man  who 
first  invented  the  sickle-bar,  and  the  place  where  first  made,  deserves 
recognition.  It  was  the  basis  of  success  of  all  the  machines  of  to-day,  and 
if  Mr.  Parret  can  substantiate  his  claims,  he  deserves  to  rank  among  the 
public  benefactors  of  the  age. 


MRS.    HlLTABRAND. 

Of  those  who  helped  redeem  the  prairie  from  a  state  of  nature,  few  re- 
main lingering  on  the  confines  of  that  bourne  from  whence  no  traveler 
ever  returned.  Among  these  is  Mrs.  George  Hiltabrand,  who  with  her 
husband  came  to  Ox  Bow  in  March,  1829.  He  was  gathered  to  his  fath- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    MRS.    HILTABRAND.  231 

ers  ten  years  ago,  while  she  lives  in  the  possession  of  all  her  faculties,  and 
at  seventy-six  her  memory  is  distinct,  her  eye  bright,  and  her  face  in- 
voluntarily lightens  at  the  recollection  and  mention  of  those  old  time 
scenes,  in  which  she  was  an  actor.  To  her  we  are  indebted  for  many 
sketches  connected  with  ye  olden  time  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie. 

The  Indian  war  excitement  caused  the  settlers  to  band  themselves  for 
protection,  and  they  hastily  constructed  a  log  stockade  where  Caledonia  now 
stands.  The  room  inside  the  fort  for  exercise  was  reasonably  large,  but 
the  eating  and  sleeping  quarters  were  sadly  crowded.  The  families  that 
here  sought  safety  were  those  of  Messrs.  Hiltabrand,  Hannum,  Hunt,  Hart, 
Graves,  Gunn,  Allen,  Loyd  and  Lotripp.  They  remained  here  about  six 
weeks,  which  seemed  an  age  to  the  inmates,  and  when  the  day  came  for 
their  release  there  was  a  grand  jubliee. 

The  first  school  in  the  vicinity  was  at  Caledonia,  taught  in  1832  by 
Hosea  Smith.  It  was  broken  up  or  suspended  during  the  war  troubles. 

The  first  child  born  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie  was  a  son  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Louis  Knox,  in  August,  1829.  Austin  Hannum  was  the  second,  and  the 
third  born  was  Mary  J.,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hiltabrand,  whose 
birth  was  October  28,  1829. 

Mrs.  Hiltabrand  is  the  only  person  of  the  original  old  settlers  who 
brought  a  family  to  Ox  Bow  Prairie. 

Another  estimable  lady  still  living  is  Mrs.  Anne  Shields,  who,  along 
with  her  husband,  came  to  Ox  Bow  from  Tennesse,  in  1833.  He  died 
May  16,  1871. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Glenn  is  another  venerable  lady,  relict  of  .Isaac  D.  Glenn, 
who  with  her  husband  came  here  in  1832.  Mr.  Glenn  died  in  1850.  She 
is  remarkably  well  and  active,  and  is  eighty-three  years  old. 

The  first  preacher  on  the  circuit  remembered  by  Mrs.  Hiltabrand  was 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Young,  a  Campbellite,  who  held  religious  services  at  the 
cabin  of  Isaac  D.  Glenn,  in  the  winter  of  1832-3.  In  that  winter  a  school 
was  taught  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Carter,  by  a  Mr.  Hatfield. 

The  first  settled  physician  was  Dr.  Fetter,  who'came  in  1834. 
Among  the  early  marriages  remembered  by  her  was  Obadiah   Graves 
and  Mary  Fletcher,  in  October,  1830;  Abner  Boyle  and  Matilda  Wilson, 
by  the  Rev.  McDonald,  November,  1831. 


232 


RECORDS    OF   THK   OLDEN   TIME, 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

BENJAMIN    LUNDY. 

HIS  distinguished  philanthropist  and  Abolitionist  ended  his 
days  near  the  borders  of  Putnam  County,  and  was  buried 
within  its  limits,  on  Clear  Creek,  his  remains  being  en- 
tombed by  his  family  and  friends  of  the  Quaker  fraternity 
of  Magnolia.  He  achieved  a  glorious  reputation  as  the 
"father  of  the  party  of  freedom,"  and  it  is  fit  that  some 
account  of  his  life  and  labors  should  be  given  in  this  work. 
In  an  autobiography,  prepared  by  himself  and  published 
shortly  after  his  death,  he  states  that  he  was  born  on  the  fourth  day  of  the 
first  month  (January),  1 789,  at  Handwich,  Essex  County,  N.  J.  His  mother 
died  when  he  was  only  five  years  old,  and  he  was  her  only  child.  He 
had  but  very  limited  means  and  opportunities  of  schooling,  but  managed 
to  learn  to  read  and  write  when  eight  years  of  age,  and  began  the  study 
of  arithmetic  at  eighteen.  His  physical  frame  being  delicate,  he  was  sent 
to  travel  for  his  health  a  year  later,  and  after  a  tima  arrived  at  Wheeling, 
West  Virginia,  where  he  served  four  years  at  the  trade  of  a  saddler. 

It  was  whije  here  that  he  was  made  acquainted  with  the  enormities  of 
the  trade  in  human  flesh;  it  was  here  he  saw  the  barbarities  of  slavery. 
"It  was  here,"  he  wrote,  "that  I  saw  the  traffickers  in  human  souls  and 
bodies  pass  by  with  their  iron-chained  chattels.  My  heart  was  deeply 
grieved  at  the  gross  abomination;  I  heard  the  wail  of  the  captive;  I  felt 
the  pangs  of  their  distress,  and  the  iron  entered  my  soul."  It  was  here 
he  became  a  firm,  determined  and  thorough  Abolitionist,  and  resolved  to 
dt-  vote  his  life  to  the  cause  of  freeing  the  negro. 

On  leaving  Wheeling  he  went  to  Mount  Pleasant,  Ohio,  where  he  be- 
came acquainted  with  William  Lewis  and  his  sisters,  one  of  whom 
eventually  became  Benjamin  Lundy's  wife. 

He  started  business  for  himself  at  St.  Clairsville,  Virginia,  and  in  four 
years  had  earned  three  thousand  dollars  worth  of  property.  Here,  while 
industriously  pursuing  his  usual  business,  he  was  not  idle  in  the  great 


THE  FATTIER  Of  THE  PARTY  OF  FREEDOM.  233 

cause  which  lay  so  close  to  his  heart,  and  in  1815,  through  his  active  ef- 
forts, Union  Humane  Societies  were  formed. 

About  that  time  Charles  Osborne  started  a  newspaper  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  called  the  Philanthropist,  and  soon  after  Lundy  took  a  position 
upon  it  as  assistant  editor.  He  was  invited  to  become  joint  owner  of  that 
paper  with  Osborn,  but  having  a  stock  of  goods  on  hand  to  dispose  of, 
and  the  best  market  being  in  the  far  "West,  he  packed  up  his  wares,  put 
them  in  a  boat,  and  floated  down  the  Ohio,  the  three  apprentices  he 
had  with  him  working  at  their  trade,  while  he  steered  the  boat.  Ar- 
riving in  the  Mississippi  River,  they  rowed  up  that  stream  to  St.  Louis. 
While  in  that  city,  in  1819,  the  famous  Missouri  Compromise  question 
was  before  the  people  —  that  of  admitting  Missouri  as  a  slave  State.  On 
this  question  he  took  an  active  part,  in  the  negative,  of  course,  writing  ar- 
ticles for  such  of  the  few  newspapers  as  would  publish  them.  Congress 
having  decided  against  his  views,  he  left,  not  discouraged,  but  determined 
to  watch,  labor  and  wait.  In  the  meantime.he  had  lost  several  thousand 
dollars,  his  speculation  proving  to  be  a  bad  one,  and  he  returned  on  foot 
to  his  old  home  at  St.  Clairsville,  a  distance  of  seven  hundred  miles! 

During  his  absence  Osborne  had  sold  the  newspaper  on  which  he  had 
previously  been  employed,  and  the  new  publishers  had  decidedly  lowered 
its  standard,  so  Lundy  determined  to  start  a  paper  of  his  own.  A  news- 
paper in  which  he  had  been  promised  an  interest,  at  Mount  Pleasant,  had 
been  removed  to  Jonesboro,  Tennessee,  leaving  the  field  at  Mount  Pleas- 
ant open  to  him.  Accordingly  he  removed  there,  and  in  January,  1821, 
he  commenced  the  publication  of  The  Genius  of  Universal  Emancipation. 
Not  then  having  a  press  of  his  own,  he  was  compelled  to  hire  his  press- 
work  done  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  to  which 
place  he  went  to  and  fro  on  foot,  carrying  his  printed  papers  on  his 
back. 

After  having  issued  eight  monthly  numbers  of  the  Genius,  the  owner 
of  the  former  paper  which  had  been  removed  from  Mount  Pleasant  to 
Jonesboro,  Tennessee,-  died  at  the  latter  place,  and  his  paper  ceased  to  be 
published.  His  friends  and  the  friends  of  the  cause  urged  him  to  go  to 
that  place  and,  if  possible,  obtain  possession  of  the  press  and  fixtures  of 
the  printing  office.  To  this  he  assented,  and  at  once  started  to  Tennessee, 
a  distance  of  eight  hundred  miles,  about  one-half  of  which  distance  he  ac- 
complished on  foot,  and  the  remainder  by  boat. 

He  rented  the  printing  office  at  Jonesboro,  and  at  once  went  to  work 


234  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

to  learn  the  practical  or  mechanical  part  of  the  business  of  running  a 
newspaper,  and  in  a  brief  time  issued  his  paper  from  his  new  location  in  a 
monthly  and  weekly  form,  retaining  for  it  the  old  but  expressive  name. 
While  thus  engaged,  in  the  very  heart  of  the  slave-holding  region,  he  was 
threatened  with  all  sorts  of  violence.  In  the  first  place  his  coming  there 
was  considered  an  insult  to  the  slaveocracy,  and  in  the  next,  his  merciless 
denunciation  of  their  peculiar  institution  of  slavery  was  unbearable.  On 
one  occasion  two  ruffians  came  a  distance  of  thirty  miles  to  demand  the 
retraction  of  an  article  which  had  been  pitblished  in  the  Genius.  They 
invited  Lundy  into  a  private  room,  shut  and  locked  the  door,  and  flourish- 
ing their  knives  and  pistols,  undertook  to  enforce  their  insolent  demand. 
But  they  were  mistaken  in  the  grit  and  firmness  of  their  man.  High 
words  resulted,  which  attracted  the  attention  of  the  owner  of  the  house, 
who  came  to  the  assistance  of  the  spunky  editor. 

Finding  his  business  prosperous,  he  sent  for  his  family,  who  joined  him 
there,  and  there  he  lived  for  three  years,  doing  yeoman  service,  constantly 
provoking  the  wrath  of  his  enemies,  repeatedly  subjected  to  personal 
abuse  of  the  vilest  character,  both  in  his  office  and  upon  the  streets,  and 
sometimes  personal  attacks ;  yet  bravely  fighting  for  his  principles,  his 
rights  of  speech  and  the  freedom  of  the  press,  continually  pouring  red  hot 
shot  into  the.  foe. 

He  was  the  first  delegate  who  ever  attended  an  abolition  convention 
from  any  portion  of  the  country  as  far  south  as  Tennessee.  He  made  a 
trip  on  horseback,  at  his  own  expense,  a  distance  of  six  hundred  miles,  to 
attend  a  meeting  of  the  enemies  of  slavery  at  Philadelphia,  in  1832. 

The  Genius  of  Universal  Emancipation  had  by  this  time  obtained  an 
extensive  circulation  and  a  wide  fame  all  over  the  country,  and  as  it  was 
the  only  anti-slavery  newspaper  in  the  United  States  at  that  time,  he  con- 
cluded to  transfer  the  publication  of  it  to  one  of  the  Atlantic  cities,  hoping 
thereby  to  greatly  increase  its  circulation  and  widen  its  influence. 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan  he  shouldered  his  knapsack  and  set  out  on 
foot  for  Baltimore,  in  the  summer  of  1824,  on  his  way  delivering  his  first 
public  lecture  on  the  subject  of  Slavery,  at  Deep  Creek,  North  Carolina. 
So  well  were  the  people  pleased  with  this,  the  first  lecture  they  had  ever 
heard  on  this  topic  (many  of  the  community  happening  to  be  Quakers), 
that  they  appointed  a  second  meeting,  where  he  again  spoke,  crowning  his 
efforts  there  by  the  formation  of  an  anti-slavery  society. 

At  another  place  he  went  to  a  house  raising  and  lectured  to  the  per- 


REMOVAL    OF   THE  "  GENIUS "  TO    BALTIMORE.  235 

sons  there  assembled,  and  at  another  place  managed  to  get  an  audience 
at  a  militia  muster,  the  captain  of  the  day  being  very  liberal  in  his  views 
on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  some  of  his  hearers  belonging  to  the  Society 
of  Friends.  Here  too  an  anti-slavery  society  was  formed,  the  militia  cap- 
tain being  chosen  its  first  president. 

During  this  trip  through  North  Carolina  he  organized  no  fewer  than 
twelve  or  fourteen  anti-slavery  societies. 

Leaving  North  Carolina,  he  passed  through  Virginia,  in  which  State  he 
formed  several  anti-slavery  societies  also. 

Mr.  Lundy  reached  Baltimore  in  due  time,  and  promptly  began  prepa- 
rations for  issuing  his  paper  there,  and  in  October,  1824,  the  first  number 
of  the  Genius  was  issued  in  that  city.  He  brought  his  family  on  from 
Tennessee  very  soon  after. 

During  his  journey  to  Baltimore  he  converted  a  slave-holder,  who  gave 
up  to  Lundy  eleven  slaves,  on  condition  that  he  would  take  them  to  where 
they  could  enjoy  equal  rights,  and  he  had  them  sent  to  Hayti. 

In  1825  he  wenltto  that  island  to  look  after  his  proteges,  and  while 
there  he  received  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  his  wife.  On  his 
return  to  the  United  States  he  resumed  his  work  of  pushing  forward  the 
circulation  of  his  paper,  meeting  with  considerable  success. 

In  1828  he  journeyed  through  the  Middle  and  Eastern  States  to  ex- 
tend the  circulation  of  his  newspaper,  lecture,  and  make  acquaintances. 
It  was  during  this  expedition  he  met  Arthur  Tappan,  of  New  York, 
and  William  Lloyd  Garrison,  of  Boston,  neither  of  whom  had  at  that 
time  acquired  any  of  the  fame  which  afterward  became  so  world-wide, 
nor  in  fact  had  they  even  then  become  publicly  known  at  their  own  homes 
as  abolitionists.  After  many  endeavors  he  succeeded  in  getting  up  a 
meeting  in  Boston,  where  the  first  anti-slavery  society  was  formed. 

He  also  lectured  on  the  anti-slavery  question  at  Hartford,  New 
Haven,  Newport,  Providence,  Nantucket,  Portland,  and  many  other 
towns,  with  varying  success. 

In  November,  1828,  he  visited  New  England  a  second  time,  and  re- 
quested William  Lloyd  Garrison  to  assist  him  on  the  Genius;  but  that 
gentleman  was  then  conducting  an  anti-slavery  paper  of  his  own,  in  Ver- 
mont. 

Mr.  Lundy's  mode  of  conducting  the  Genius  provoked  the  deadly  ire 
of  a  man  named  Austin  Woolfolk,  a  Baltimore  slave  trader,  who  in  1829 
assaulted  and  nearly  killed  him.  The  judge  before  whom  the  case  was 


236  KECOttDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

tried,  the  assailant  having  been  arrested,  said  from  the  bench  that  "Lundy 
got  no  more  than  he  deserved,"  and  sent  a  copy  of  his  paper  before  the 
grand  jury,  pointing  out  to  them  several  passages  which  he  said  were 
libelous;  but  that  body  failed  to  find  a  bill  against  him. 

In  1829  he  went  to  Hayti  a  second  time,  with  twelve  slaves  given  to 
him  this  time  by  a  slave-holder  in  Maryland,  under  circumstances  similar 
to  those  herein  before  related. 

After  his  return  he  was  joined  by  Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison  in  the  editor- 
ship of  the  Genius,  and  Mr.  Liindy  made  another  tour,  during  which  Mr. 
Garrison,  less  guarded  than  his  chief,  or  failing  to  enjoy  that  warm  per- 
sonal friendship  which  it  was  the  peculiar  good  fortune  of  Lundy  to  secure 
everywhere  he  went,  was  arrested  and  thrown  into  jail  because  of  his  out- 
spoken denunciations  of  slavery,  but  was  finally  released  on  payment  of  a 
fine,  when  he  left  the  city.  The  paper  then  fell  to  Lundy 's  exclusive 
management,  and  not  being  able  to  secure  a  competent  and  suitable  assist- 
ant, it  was  changed  from  a  weekly  to  a  monthly  publication.  The  hatred 
which  had  achieved  a  victory  over  Garrison  was  started  in  pursuit  of 
Lundy,  and  half  a  dozen  indictments  were  procured  against  him  in  the 
courts,  and  he  too  was  imprisoned.  On  being  released,  he  abandoned 
Baltimore  and  removed  to  Washington  City. 

In  1830  he  traveled  extensively  in  Canada,  and  awakened  the  anti- 
slaveiy  sentiment  there  with  a  view  to  secure  an  asylum  in  that  country 
for  fugitive  slaves  from  the  United  States.  He  also  went  to  Texas  to  see 
what  could  be  done  toward  establishing  a  grand  free  labor  project  there, 
and  afterward  to  Mexico  for  the  same  purpose,  and  until  1836  he  spent 
nearly  his  whole  time  in  making  many  arduous  journeys  and  fruitless 
efforts  to  transfer  his  colony  of  free  negroes  in  Hayti  to  Texas  or  Mexico. 

During  the  absence  of  Lundy  in  the  South-west  and  in  the  land 
of  the  Montezumas,  the  Genius  was  conducted  by  different  persons. 
Under  the  management  of  Evan  Lewis,  in  January,  1 834,  its  place  of  pub- 
lication was  removed  to  Philadelphia,  at  which  place  Mr.  Lewis  died  in 
the  same  year.  It  was  then  taken  charge  of  by  Rev.  Dr.  Atlee,  and  under 
his  management  it  was  suspended  for  want  of  adequate  support.  At  that 
time  Mr.  Lundy  had  been  absent  about  three  years,  occasionally  writing 
letters  and  communications  for  it,  but  otherwise  unable  to  furnish  that 
fire,  vim  and  spirit  which  had  for  so  many  years  characterized  that  staunch 
champion  of  human  rights.  It  died  more  for  the  lack  of  the  brains  and 
energy  of  its  founder  than  anything  else. 


KECOGNITION    OF   ME.    LUNDY's    VALUABLE    SERVICES.  237 

In  November,  1835,  Mr.  Lundy  returned  from  Mexico,  and  issued  one 
number  ..f  the  Genius,  brim  full  of  its  old  time  fire  and  fury  against 
slavery,  and  in  August  of  the  following  year  began  the  issue  of 
another  weekly  anti-slavery  newspaper  at  Philadelphia,  called  The  Na- 
tional Enquirer,  and  in  the  same  month  re-commenced  the  publication  of 
the  Genius. 

January  31,  1837,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  convention  of  the  people 
was  held  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  which  formed  a  State  society.  Among  other 
proceedings  it  adopted  a  resolution  complimenting  the  veteran  agitator,  as 
follows: 

WHEREAS,  By  the  self-denying  zeal  and  untiring  efforts  of  Benjamin  Lundy,  he  sus- 
tained the  "  Genius  of  Universal  Emancipation"  for  eight  years  of  general  apathy  on  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery,  when  no  pecuniary  embarrassment,  no  privations  of  society,  no  cold  neglect 
or  indifference  to  his  warning  voice  could  dissuade  him  from  his  fixed  principles  of  duty,  he 
finally  drew  and  fixed  the  attention  of  many  who  were  abused  by  it  throughout  the  land ; 
therefore, 

Besolved,  That  Benjamin  Lundy  receive  the  thanks  of  this  Convention. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  1838,  Lundy  retired  from  the  charge  of  the  En- 
quirer, and  was  succeeded  by  the  Quaker  poet,  John  G.  Whittier. 

The  Abolitionists  of  Philadelphia  had  built  and  dedicated  to  the  cause 
of  freedom  a  splendid  public  hall,  which  cost  $30,000.  On  the  night  of 
the  17th  of  May,  1838,  a  mob  broke  into  and  fired  the  building,  Avhich 
was  burnt  down.  In  it  were  all  Lundy's  private  papers,  together  with 
all  his  personal  effects,  which  had  been  stored  in  a  room  of  the  hall, 
awaiting  his  journey  to  the  West.  He  wrote  concerning  the  event :  "  My 
papers,  books,  clothes — everything  of  value,  except  my  journal  in  Mex- 
ico, are  all — all  gone, —  a  total  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  Universal  Eman- 
cipation. They  have  not  yet  got  my  conscience, — they  have  not  taken  my 
heart,  and  until  they  rob  me  of  these  they  cannot  prevent  me  from  plead- 
ing the  cause  of  the  suffering  slave. 

"  The  tyrant  (may  even)  hold  the  body  bound, 
But  knows  not  what  a  range  the  spirit  takes. 

"  I  am  not  disheartened,  though  everything  of  earthly  value  (in  the 
shape  of  property)  is  lost.  Let  us  persevere  in  the  cause.  We  shall  as- 
suredly triumph  yet," 

In  July,  1838,  Lundy  left  Philadelphia  for  Putnam  County,  111.,  to 
which  place  his  children  removed.  On  his  way  -he  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  a  young  woman  of  Pennsylvania,  a  member  of  the  Society  of 


238  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Friends,  with  whom  he  contracted  a  matrimonial  engagement.  While  on 
this  journey,  he  wrote  to  his  friends  that  his  health  was  excellent,  and 
that  he  felt  happy  in  being  clear  of  the  crowded  city.  Keaching  his  des- 
tination, which  was  the  Quaker  settlement  near  Magnolia,  on  September 
19,  he  wrote:  "lam  here  at  last  among  my  children.  This  is  emphati- 
cally one  of  the  best  and  most  beautiful  countries  that  I  have  ever  seen." 
He  afterward  on  the  same  day  attended  aa  anti-slavery  convention  at 
Hennepin,  composed  of  intelligent  men  and  women.  It  passed  a  unani- 
mous resolution  to  encourage  the  circulation  of  the  Genius,  and  a  large 
number  of  subscriptions  were  immediately  obtained. 

Having  been  disappointed  in  several  attempts  to  purchase  a  press  and 
outfit  at  Hennepin,  where  he  desired  to  settle,  he  received  a  proposition 
from  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Lowell,  LaSalle  County,  to  establish  his 
paper  there,  and  accepting  their  proposition,  he  went  there  in  the  winter 
of  1838-9,  accompanied  by  his  son  Charles,  his  other  children  following 
in  the  spring. 

In  a  letter  dated  February  3,  1839,  he  says:  "I  have  purchased  a 
printing  office,  and  established  it  at  a  new  town  called  Lowell ;  but  we 
have  no  post  office  yet,  and  the  G.  U.  E.  will  be  published  a  while  at  Hen- 
nepin. I  have  found  great  difficulty  in  getting  my  printing  done,  but  am 
now  prepared  to  go  on  regularly  as  soon  as  I  receive  paper,  for  which  I 
have  sent  to  St.  Louis."  Lundy  built  a  house  and  printing  office  at 
Lowell,  and  in  the  spring  purchased  a  tract  of  land  about  four  miles  dis- 
tant. His  paper  was  irregularly  printed  for  want  of  funds  and  help,  he 
having,  for  a  portion  of  the  time,  no  other  assistants  than  his  two  sons, 
one  of  whom  attended  to  the  farm.  Early  in  August  he  was  attacked  by 
a  fever  of  a  kind  then  prevalent  in  that  region,  but  rallied,  and  tried  to 
work  a  few  days,  when  he  was  compelled  to  seek  his  bed  again,  though 
not  thought  to  be  dangerously  affected.  On  the  morning  of  the  21st  he  was 
again  in  his  office,  and  wrote  a  note  to  one  of  his  children,  stating  that  he 
had  been  quite  unwell,  but  was  now  better.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  he  was  seized  with  severe  pains,  and  retired  to  the  house  of  his  friend, 
Wm.  Seeley.  The  next  day  he  continued  to  grow  worse,  and  suffered 
much  pain  until  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  he  grew  easier  and  more 
comfortable.  Being  told  by  a  physician  that  his  end  was  probably  ap- 
proaching, he  replied  that  he  "felt  much  better  —  he  felt  as  if  he  were  in 
paradise."  At  11  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  February,  1839, 
Benjamin  Lundy  passed  peacefully  away,  without  a  groan  or  a  struggle. 


DEATH  OF  BENJAMIN  LUNDY ' '  SHIVAEEES. "  239 

His  remains,  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  relatives  and  friends,  were 
removed  to  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  Isaac  Griffith,  near  Magnolia, 
whence,  on  the  following  day  they  were  removed,  and  interred  in  the 
Friends  burying  ground  on  Clear  Creek. 

Thus  terminated  the  earthly  career  of  one  of  the  most  self-sacrificing 
and  indefatigable  reformers  this  country  has  ever  produced.  Having  re- 
solved, twenty-three  years  before  his  decease,  to  devote  his  life  and  ener- 
gies to  the  relief  of  the  suffering  slave  and  the  freedom  of  the  colored 
people  from  bondage,  he  nobly  and  heroically  kept  that  pledge,  and  so  far 
as  was  in  his  power,  redeemed  this  promise,  persevering  to  the  end,  un- 
discouraged  by  difficulties,  not  dismayed  by  obstacles  nor  .appalled  at 
the  magnitude  of  the  herculean  task  before  him. 

In  stature  he  was  rather  under  the  average  size,  of  slender  form  and 
slightly  built.  His  complexion  was  of  the  nervous  -  sanguine  order,  with 
a  cheerful  disposition ;  always  polite  and  agreeable  in  conversation ;  never 
gloomy  or  despondent.  He  was  afflicted  with  a  difficulty  of  hearing  from 
an  early  age,  a  circumstance  which  was  of  great  inconvenience  and  disad- 
vantage to  him.  He  was  positive  but  courteous  in  defending  his  opinions, 
and  never  neglected  any  opportunity  to  assert  and  maintain  his  views. 


OLD  TIME  "SHIVAREES." 

The  boys  of  the  present  day  who  think  they  discount  their  ancestors 
in  the  charivari  business  are  mistaken.  When  those  old  fellows  under- 
took a  thing  of  the  kind  it  was  carried  through  regardless  of  time  or  con- 
sequences. We  knew  an  incident  of  the  kind  in  early  times  which  was 
kept  up  continuously  every  night  for  three  weeks,  because  the  groom 
would  not  come  down  with  the  whisky.  It  finally  became  such  a  nui- 
sance to  the  occupants  of  a  hotel  near  by  that  Wm.  S.  Hamilton,  a  Col- 
onel in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  the  man  who  surveyed  Peoria,  treated 
the  crowd,  and  then  presented  his  bill  for  the  same  to  the  groom.  He 
refused  to  pay  and  was  sued,  in  which  the  Colonel  got  beaten. 

Two  noted  charivaris  are  mentioned  as  having  occurred  at  Magnolia, 
which  were  conducted  by  the  "boys,"  and  as  several  of  those  who  partici- 
pated are  yet  living,  sedate  and  gray-haired  old  men,  the  mention  of  them 
here  is  relevant. 

There  was  a  wedding  in  the  neighborhood,  and  after  the  festivities 


240  RECORDS  OF  TBE  OLDEST 

usual  on  such  occasions,  the  lights  in  the  house  where  the  newly  married 
couple  were,  were  extinguished  and  all  was  quietness  and  repose.  But 
this  was  not  to  be  of  long  continuance.  John  Dent,  Joseph  Hall  and 
Thomas  Patterson,  as  leaders,  with  a  number  of  other  young  fellows,  all 
bent  on  having  lots  of  fun,  who  had  concluded  to  give  the  young  couple  a 
charivari  and  had  laid  their  plans  accordingly,  having  kept  their  move- 
ments from  the  knowledge  of  all  who  were  not  to  be  concerned  with  them, 
assembled  at  the  quiet  hoiir  of  midnight  and  started  for  a  grocery  kept  by 
a  man  known  as  "old  Patterson."  The  keeper  of  this  establishment  was 
aware  of  what  was  going  on,  and  when  the  crowd  came  to  his  place 
they  were  supplied  with  a  stimulus  ^which  inflamed  and  incited  them 
to  excesses  which  it  is  probable  they  otherwise  would  not  have  been 
guilty  of.  Being  thus  prepared  the  party  started  for  the  house  where 
the  happy  and  unsuspecting  couple  reposed,  and  as  they  approached 
they  broke  forth  with  a  hullabaloo  and  racket  that  was  simply  infernal. 
Beating  on  tin  pans,  blowing  horns,  ringing  bells,  the  barking  and 
howling  of  dogs,  lowing  and  bleating  of  cattle,  and  snorting  and  clattering 
of  horses  were  all  exceeded  by  the  shouting,  hurrahing,  screeching, 
screaming  and  every  other  possible  noise  which  could  be  made  by  half- 
crazy  human  beings. 

This  pandemonium  was  kept  up  around  the  house  unceasingly.  No 
persuasion  on  the  part  of  the  groom  or  the  gentleman  at  whose  house  he 
was  availed  anything.  They  were  impelled  by  a  spirit  of  malicious  mis- 
chief to  commit  an  outrage  upon  decency,  and  they  gave  full  vent  to  it. 
From  time  to  time  detachments  from  the  party  would  return  to  old  Pat- 
terson's, fill  up  anew  with  whisky,  and  return  to  continue  their  disagree- 
able proceedings,  and  it  was  not  until  after  daylight  the  next  morning 
that  they  became  exhausted  and  retired  to  their  homes. 

The  noises  and  uproar  they  made  caused  a  stampede  among  such 
cattle,  horses  and  swine  as  could  get  out  of  their  enclosures.  About  ten 
horses  and  the  same  number  of  cattle  belonging  to  Captain  Hawes  ran 
off  toward  the  timber,  and  it  was  three  or  four  days  afterward  before 
their  owner  found  them.  They  had  strayed  more  than  fifteen  miles  from 

home.  An  individual  known  as  old  Billy  R ,  who  had  proposed 

taking  a  hand  in  the  fun,  became  so  intoxicated  at  Patterson's  groggeiy 
that  he  was  unable  to  go  with  the  "boys,"  and  brought  himself  to  anchor 
upon  a  stump  a  foxirth  of  a  mile  from  the  scene  of  action,  and  con- 
tributed his  quota  of  music  by  continually  howling  and  ringing  a  cow 


A  "SHIVAREE"  OF  THREE  NIGHTS'  DURATION.  241 

bell.  The  maliciousness  of  some  of  the  participants  led  them  to  shave 
the  hair  from  the  tail  of  tli j  groom's  horse,  and  to  take  a  wheel  from  his 
buggy  and  hide  it  some  distance  away  among  the  bushes.  The  wheel 
was  not  forthcoming  until  a  week  afterward,  and  then  it  required  the 
payment  of  a  fee  of  five  dollars  to  secure  it.  During  the  melee  John 
Dent  opened  the  window  of  the  room  occupied  by  the  newly  married 
couple,  and  in  true  and  faultless  Indian  style  gave  a  prolonged  war-whoop. 

The  ringleaders  of  this  disgraceful  affair  were  arrested  on  a  charge  of 
disturbing  the  peace,  and  taken  before  a  magistrate  for  trial.  The 
offenders  employed  to  defend  them  a  young  lawyer  who,  for  the  sum  of 
twenty  dollars  cash  to  him  in  hand  paid,  promised  to  secure  their  discharge. 
This  young  man  was  T.  L.  Dickey,  now  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois. 

The  ill-feeling  caused  by  the  affair  slowly  subsided,  and  in  a  few 
months'  time  all  the  parties  were  on  friendly  terms  again. 

It  was  not  long  before  John  Dent  discovered  his  affinity,  and  the  sub- 
ject of  his  approaching  marriage  was  the  talk  of  the  whole  neighborhood. 
Captain  Hawes,  who  had  felt  personally  offended  at  the  previous  affair, 
determined  that  Dent,  who  was  the  foremost  spirit  and  instigator  of  it, 
and  who  had  given  that  blood-curdling  war-whoop,  should  himself  enjoy 
the  pleasure  of  a  charivari  on  his  wedding  night.  He  organized  a  party 
of  about  fifty  boys  and  men,  saw  that  they  were  properly  equipped  with 
a  suitable  assortment  of  musical  instruments,  and  at  midnight  began 
an  entertainment  and  concert  the  variety  and  vehemence  of  which  threw 
the  previous  affair  entirely  in  the  shade.  When  daylight  came  the 
sereuaders  retired,  but  to  return  again  the  next  night,  and  again  the  next, 
and  John  Dent  was  the  unwilling  recipient  of  the  three  times  repeated 
compliments  of  Captain  Hawes  and  his  band  of  musicians.  During  the 
excitement  Dent  thought  to  appease  the  mob  by  opening  the  door  and 
trying  to  argue  with  them  upon  the  impropriety  and  ridiculousness  of  their 
conduct,  but  when  he  did  so  in  a  moment  the  house  was  filled  with  peo- 
ple, and  it  was  not  until  he  prepared  to  burn  gunpowder  that  they  left 
his  apartments. 

Dent,  while  not  fancying  the  entertainment  prepared  for  him  by 
his  neighbors,  would  not  have  seriously  objected  to  their  performances  if 
they  had  been  brought  to  a  final  close  the  first  night ;  but  he  well  knew 
that  the  continuance  of  them  through  three  consecutive  nights  was  the 
work  of  Hawes,  and  done  in  spiteful  retaliation  for  what  he  had  himself 


242  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

done,  and  he  became  so  vexed  with  his  old  and  oft-tried  friend  that  he 
would  not  speak  to  him  for  several  months.  But  finally  these  asperities 
became  softened,  and  on  a  certain  occasion,  meeting  with  mutual  friends, 
they  shook  hands  and  became  as  good  friends  and  as  warmly  attached  as 
ever. 

STEALING    A    SQUAW. 

In  1832  a  Frenchman  stole  a  squaw  from  some  friendly  Indians  near 
Hennepin.  Some  time  after  a  couple  of  Indians  of  the  band  to  which  she 
belonged  came  past  the  Frenchman's  cabin,  and  recognizing  the  squaw, 
seized  her  and  forcibly  conveyed  her  home.  The  Frenchman  on  returning 
followed  the  party  until  discovering  Indian  signs,  he  procured  the  aid 
of  a  number  of  white  men,  and  went  in  pursuit.  He  was  dangerously 
valiant,  and  begged  as  a  personal  favor  that  the  crowd  would  let  him 
"chaw  up  the  Indians"  who  stole  his  wife  as  soon  as  caught. 

On  their  way  the  party  met  an  Indian  on  a  pony  at  a  creek.  The  In- 
dian was  apparently  peaceably  inclined,  so  they  rode  over  in  "Indian  file," 
the  last  man  to  cross  being  the  Frenchman.  The  Indian  waited  until  he 
was  about  to  enter  the  creek,  and  then  seized  him.  exclaiming,  "Bad  white 
man!  steal  Indian's  squaw  —  eh?  and  come  back  to  steal  she  again — not 
much  —  eh!"  And  he  pitched  into  the  Frenchman  and  gave  him  a  good 
"licking."  The  valorous  gentleman  from  Paris  covered  his  face  with  his 
hands  and  shouted,  "Sacaree!  Ouch!  Ze  blodee  Ingeon!  By  gar,  he  too 
mooch  gouge  moine  eye-ouchee !  Mur-r-r-dar ! "  But  never  a  blow  did  he 
strike,  while  his  white  companions  looked  on  from  across  the  creek  in  a 
high  state  of  merriment. 

When  the  Indian  had  satisfied  himself,  he  rode  away,  leaving  the  ter- 
rified and  well-pounded  woman-stealer  in  a  sad  state.  As  soon  as  the 
Indian  had  gone  the  Frenchman  waxed  blood-thirsty  again. 

At  Hartzeirs  trading  house  they  met  a  large  number  of  Indians,  in 
anything  but  a  friendly  mood.  Among  the  white  men  was  a  young  man 
named  Cummins,  a  model  of  physical  strengt.i  and  courage.  He,  by  com- 
mon consent,  acted  as  spokesman  for  the  party.  The  Indians  accused  him 
of  having  come  after  the  squaw,  while  Cummins  denied  it.  The  Indian 
who  seemed  to  lead  the  party  was  ugly,  and  only  wanted  a  pretext  to  be- 
gin a  row.  He  challenged  Cummins  to  wrestle,  which,  however,  meant 
to  fight.  Cummins  had  two  pistols,  which  he  kept  concealed,  and  where 
his  antagonist  could  not  reach  them.  Mr.  Reed,  one  of  the  white  men, 


WRESTLING    WITH    AN    INDIAN' — INDIAN    NEIGHBORS.  243 

stood  over  the  two  as  they  scuffled,  determined  to  see  fair  play.  The 
match  was  nearly  even.  The  Indian  was  the  superior  in  strength,  but 
Cummins  excelled  in  agility,  and  was  something  of  a  scientific  wrestler. 
It  was  thought  if  the  Indian  had  got  Cummins  under,  he  would  have 
knifed  him;  but  Cummins  repeatedly  threw  his  adversary,  so  finally  the 
Indian  feeling  convinced  of  Cummings'  superiority,  was  glad  to  call  it  a 
tie.  The  boys  got  the  Indians  mellow  on  whisky,  and  gladly  stole  away. 

INDIAN    NEIGHBORS. 

The  Indians  were  numerous  when  the  prairie  was  first  settled  by  the 
whites.  They  lived  on  the  bottoms  near  the  Illinois  River,  in  two  camps 
about  equi-distant  from  Strawn's  settlement.  The  lower  camps  were  occu- 
pied by  two  or  three  hundred  Kickapoos,  while  the  other,  three  miles  above, 
consisted  of  a  fragment  of  Shaubena's  Pottawatomie  Indians.  Both  tribes 
were  on  the  most  friendly  terms  with  the  settlers,  and  each  race  found  a 
positive  advantage  in  trading  with  the  other.  The  Indians  brought  the 
white  people  meat  and  honey  in  exchange  for  com,  flour  and  tobacco. 
They  would  beg  for  corn  out  of  the  crib  in  winter,  and  standing  in  the 
snow,  eat  it  raw,  like  squirrels.  They  never  entered  a  house  where  there 
was  a  fire,  except  for  a  few  moments,  and  when  near  the  heat  made  signs 
as  if  suffocated  by  it. 

Shaubena's  camp  of  Indians  was  small  —  from  twenty-five  to  one  hun- 
dred people.  They  were  a  roving  set,  hunting  at  Bureau,  Ottawa,  or 
elsewhere,  and  never  many  at  a  time  in  camp,  while  Shick-shack's  tribe 
were  more  inclined  to  remain  at  home.  Shaubena's  Indians  were  given 
to  drinking  whiskey,  while  the  others  rarely  touched  it. 

The  Indian  braves  scorned  to  do  manual  labor.  They  would  catch 
fish  and  leave  them  in  their  canoes  to  rot  in  the  sun  if  the  squaws  were 
not  near  to  carry  them  to  the  wigwams  and  dress  them.  They  would  kill 
deer  and  hang  them  up  in  the  woods,  come  to  the  camp,  and  send  the 
squaws  and  ponies  long  distances  to  find  them  and  bring  home  the  meat, 
half  putrid  sometimes  before  it  was  skinned  and  ready  for  use !  They 
could,  if  absolutely  necessary,  very  expeditiously  skin  a  deer,  but  they 
looked  upon  all  labor  as  degrading,  and  made  the  squaws  do  the  drudgery. 

Shick-Shack,  tha  Indian,  and  his  band  lived  at  the  mouth  of  Clear 
Creek.  He  was  a  large,  activj  and  mtelligju':  oil  man,  respected  by 
the  whites  and  venerated  by  his  tribe.  He  was  honest  and  punctual  in 


244  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

all  his  dealings,  and  withal  possessed  considerable  ability.  He  inclined  read- 
ily toward  the  ways  of  civilized  life,  and  probably  was  the  first  Indian  in 
this  region  to  avail  himself  of  the  Yankee  breaking  plow  to  open  up  the 
soil  for  cultivation.  He  raised  good  crops  of  corn,  and  had  a  sensible  idea 
of  the  relative  value  of  the  different  articles  of  barter.  He  cared  little 
for  trinkets  and  gew-gaws,  and  frequently  reproved  his  men  for  buying  bits 
of  colored  glass  or  brass  ornaments. 

He  was  for  peace,  when  Black  Hawk  plunged  the  country  into  war. 
Foreseeing  that  the  natural  and  lasting  animosities  which  it  had  kindled 
between  the  two  races  would  prevent  them  from  dwelling  together,  he 
deemed  it  better  they  should  separate ;  therefore,  bowing  to  the  inevitable 
and  unalterable  decree  of  fate,  went  westward  with  his  tribe  in  1833,  after 
which  no  Indians,  or  at  least  but  a  few  stragglers  were  ever  seen  on  this 
side  of  the  Mississippi. 

AN    INDIAN   SIGN    OF   PEACE. 

When  Captain  Hawes  moved  to  Magnolia,  he  brought  with  him  from 
Sangamon  County  a  few  hogs,  as  up  to  that  date  (182G)  there  were  none 
in  the  country.  He  permitted  his  pigs  to  run  at  large,  and  the  woods 
being  filled  with  "mast,"  the  swine  fattened  and  increased,  and  he  seemed 
to  have  lost  all  right  of  property  in  them.  The  Indians  lived  upon  them, 
and  new  settlers  shot  them  whenever  they  wanted  pork.  They  became 
wild,  but  never  dangerous. 

One  fall,  in  about  1832,  Captain  Hawes  concluded  to  assert  ownership 
over  these  wandering  porkers,  and  obtaining  an  Indian  guide,  started 
on  a  hunt.  After  traveling  all  day  they  became  pretty  hungry,  and  shot 
a  wild  turkey,  which  was  dressed,  roasted  and  eaten.  They  slept  upon 
the  ground  under  a  tree.  The  Indian  before  lying  down  drew  forth  his 
butcher  knife  and  plunged  it  into  the  soil  up  to  the  hilt,  the  Indian  sign 
of  peace.  The  Captain  took  the  other  side,  taking  care  to  leave  a  respect- 
able space  between  its  sharp  edge  and  his  ribs! 

WANTING    TO    MARRY. 

I 

A  desire  to  wed  is  a  pardonable  ambition  in  Eve's  daughters  the  world 
over,  and  Jeremiah  Strawn  states  a  well  remembered  incident  that  befel 
him. 

Once  when  on  his  way  from  Ohio,  he  stopped  over  night  at  a  log 


A    GIRL    WHO    WANTED    TO    MARRY.  245 

house  on  the  Sangamori  River,  and  was  waited  upon  at  table  by  a  200- 
pound  girl  with  rosy  cheeks  and  bright  eyes,  who  questioned  him  about 
the  people  of  the  settlement,  and  when  told  that  wives  were  in  demand, 
begged  him  to  take  her  along,  saying  with  a  sigh  that  she  "had  lived 
six  months  on  the  Sangamo  Bottom  without  seeing  a  young  man,"  and 
added  that  "she  could  never  get  married  at  that  rate."  Mr.  Strawn  told 
her  to  hope  on,  but  she  insisted,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  that  there  was  no 
hope  while  she  staid  there,  and  begged  to  be  taken  along,  which  S.,  in 
view  of  her  weight  and  the  fact  that  his  pony  was  small,  the  distance 
great,  and  a  wife  and  children  already  to  look  out  for,  declined  to  do. 


246 


BECOKDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


OX    BOW    PRAIRIE. 


BETWEEN  Little  Sandy  and  Clear  Creek,  a  couple  of  streams 
which  enter  the  Illinois  River,  flowing  from  the  east,  in 
Putnam  County,  near  Henry,  there  is  a  beautiful,  irregu- 
larly shaped  farming  region,  about  five  miles  in  length  from 
east  to  west,  and  varying  from  one  to  two  and  a  half  miles 
in  width,  from  north  to  south.  This  is  known  as  Ox  Bow 
Prairie.  The  name  comes  from  a  real  or  fancied  resem- 
blance of  the  lines  of  timber  around  this  prairie  to  an 
ox  bow  which  the  settlers  used  upon  their  patient  animals  for  draft 
purposes.  The  likeness,  however,  is  greatly  exaggerated,  as  that  region 
now  appears,  though  perhaps  before  the  present  growth  of  younger  tim- 
ber had  appeared  and  the  original  marginal  lines  of  the  environing  woods, 
as  yet  unmarred  by  the  axe  of  the  settler,  were  clear  and  distinct,  the 
resemblance  to  an  ox  bow  might  have  justly  warranted  the  title. 

With  the  exception  of  a  narrow  neck  at  the  eastern  extremity,  where 
the  projecting  ends  of  the  fancied  bow  do  not  join,  the  prairie  is  surounded 
by  timber,  gradually  widening  the  lines  of  its  boundary  till  near  the 
western  limits,  where  they  gracefully  form  into  a  circle,  and  meeting, 
form  the  outlines  of  the  tolerably  perfect  base  of  the  mammoth  bow. 

The  timber  growing  near  the  two  streams  named  comprises  all  the 
more  valuable  kinds  and  varieties  of  trees  found  in  this  State.  In  these 
woods  there  is  an  abundance  of  excallent  water.  There  are  numerous 
springs,  which  add  their  generous  contributions  to  the  creeks,  ravines  and 
gullies,  and  are  reached  under  the  surface  of  the  prairie  by  wells  varying 
from  twenty  to  thirty-five  feet  in  depth.  In  this  way  unfailing  quanti- 
ties of  pure  water  are  obtained  and  at  trifling  expense. 

This  prairie  in  olden  times  was  one  of  the  best  known  localities  in 
Northern  Illinois,  and  in  priority  of  date  of  its  settlement  by  white  peo- 
ple, takes  rank  with  the  first  made  between  Peoria  and  the  Wisconsin 
line. 

In  early  days  Ox  Bow  Prairie  was  as  well  known  as  Galena,  Chicago, 


THE    SETTLEMENT    OF    OX    BOW    PRAIRIE.  247 

Peoria  or  any  point  in  the  State.  This  section,  by  reason  of  its  geographi- 
cal position,  the  wonderful  fertility  of  its  soil,  its  fine  drainage,  its  superior 
sxipply  of  water,  and  especially  because  it  was  surrounded  by  heavy  tim- 
ber, seemed  a  very  Garden  of  Eden  to  the  immigrant  from  the  wooded 
countries  of  the  East. 

In  consequence  of  its  peculiar  location  its  settlement  was  rapid,  and 
long  ago  it  was  so  completely  improved  that  not  a  foot  of  its  soil  was  left 
unoccupied. 

OX    BOW    SETTLERS. 

Lyman  Horram  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie, 
having  located  there  in  October,  1830,  selecting  a  place  near  where  C^ile- 
donia  was  originally  laid  out.  Soon  other  settlers  came  in,  and  he  found 
himself  surrounded  by  such  neighbors  as  Capt.  William  Hawes,  John 
Dent,  George  H.  Shaw,  Ephraim  Smith,  Maj.  Elias  Thompson,  Samuel 
Glenn,  Isaac  Glenn,  Hiram  Allen,  John  Lloyd,  Mr.  McCaleb,  William 
Kincaid,  Hartwell  Haley,  Asahel  Hannum,  George  Hildebrand,  Isaac 
Hildebrantl,  Townley  Fyffe  and  John  Boyle  and  family.  Besides  these 
there  were  no  other  permanent  settlers  there  until  about  1832. 

He  made  his  first  visit  to  the  West  in  1827,  and  during  his  meander- 
ings  stood  upon  Starved  Rock,  in  La  Salle  County,  in  the  summer  of 
that  year.  This  was  three  years  before  any  white  persons  had  made 
a  settlement  anywhere  in  that  region  of  country.  Dr.  Walker,  an 
esteemed  and  well  known  missionary  among  the  Indians,  had  established 
a  school  for  instructing  Indian  children  near  whsre  Ottawa  now  stands. 
There  were  no  settlers  anywhere  along  the  Illinois  River  between  Dr. 
Walker's  mission  school  and  Peoria.  , 

These  Ox  Bow  Prairie  settlers  built  a  fort  for  defensive  purposes  on 
a  corner  of  Lyman  Horram's  farm.  It  was  a  well  built  stockade,  en- 
closing about  one-fourth  of  an  acre  of  land,  and  had  bastions  at  the 
diagonal  corners,  from  which  those  on  the  inside  could  protect  the 
fortification  from  attack  by  raking  fires  along  the  outer  walls.  The 
settlers,  from  fear  of  danger,  occupied  their  fort  at  night  for  about  six 
weeks,  leaving  it  in  the  daytime,  to  attend  to  their  respective  duties. 
Mr.  Horram,  however,  made  use  of  its  sheltering  walls  for  but  one  night 
only,  preferring  to  take  his  chances  while  attending  more  assiduously  to 
the  care  of  his  growing  crops  and  his  stock.  One  of  his  fields  extended 


248  BECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

on  two  sides  of  the  fort,  in  which  he  had  a  splendid  crop  of  growing  oats. 
When  they  were  being  harvested  signs  were  discovered  which  indicated 
that  they  had  afforded  shelter  to  prowling  Indians,  who  had  come  within 
easy  range  of  the  fort  for  reconnoitering  purposes.  If  they  had  ever 
really  intended  to  attack  the  settlers  their  plans  were  abandoned  when 
they  learned  of  the  to  them  disastrous  termination  of  the  war  which  had 
been  carried  on  by  Black  Hawk. 

Among  the  few  remaining  dwellers  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie  is  Abner  Boyle, 
son  of  David  Boyle,  who  came  to  the  country  in  1829,  and  with  his  sons 
built  a  cabin  and  raised  twenty  acres  of  corn,  yielding  fifty  -and  sixty 
bushels  to  the  acre.  This  they  got  ground  at  the  mills  on  the  Mackinaw 
River,  fifty  miles  away,  and  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  venison,  made  a 
comfortable  "live"  of  it  through  the  winter.  Times  were  hard,  but 
their  wants  were  few,  and  the  average  of  enjoyment  compared  favorably 
with  to-day. 

My.  Boyle's  cabin  was  a  model  of  simplicity,  being  simply  a  pen  of 
loosely  laid  up  logs  covered  with  shakes.  The  spaces  between  the  logs 
never  having  been  "  chinked,"  windows  were  not  required,  and  as  cooking 
was  done  out  of  doors,  neither  fire-place  nor  chimney  were  needed.  In 
1830  he  was  commissioned  post  master  by  Gen.  Jackson,  and  the  office 
named  Ox  Bow ;  but  people  had  little  time  to  write  letters  in  those  times, 
and  it  cost  twenty-five  cents  to  get  a  letter  from  the  East,  so  that  com- 
missions were  not  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  labor  of  opening  and  examin- 
ing the  mails,  and  he  resigned. 


TIGHT    TIMES. 


During  the  terribly  severe  winter  of  1830-31  the  Ox  Bow  settlers 
were  in  danger  of  suffering  from  want  of  sufficient  food.  By  adhering  to 
a  rigid  economy,  and  taking  the  greatest  care  of  their  stocks  of  provisions, 
they  were  enabled  to  pull  through,  the  more  needy  and  destitute  having 
their  wants  supplied  by  those  who  were  better  off. 

In  1831  a  hand  grist  mill  was  put  in  operation  by  Mr.  Z.  Shugart,  by 
which  the  people  were  enabled  to  have  their  corn  converted  into  meal  and 
hominy. 

Dr.  David  Ritchie  .acted  as  physician  to  nearly  all  the  settlers  on 
Ox  Bow,  having  begun  the  practice  of  medicine  there  in  1831. 

Rev.   William  Royal,   a    Presbyterian    minister,    looked    after    their 


INDIAN    SCARES  — AMUSING   EPISODES. 

spiritual  wants,  performed  the  marriage  service  for  lovers,  christened 
the  children  and  buried  the  dead.  Church  festivals  and  donation  parties 
were  not  in  vogue  in  those  primitive  days. 

The  first  school  house  that  was  built  was  located  near  Caledonia,  and 
Dr.  Ashley  was  the  first  teacher  who  undertook  to  instruct  the  young 
people  therein. 

INDIAN    ALARMS. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  war,  Ox  Bow  Prairie  was  the  scene  of  fre- 
quent alarms.  The  red  marauders  had  been  seen  skulking  on  the  edge  of 
the  timber,  and  in  the  dense  brush  along  the  creeks. '  They  had  killed 
cattle  belonging  to  Hoi-ram  and  Mr.  Glenn,  near  their  owners'  houses,  be- 
sides committing  other  depredations,  and  the  people  were  justly  in  a  state 
of  constant  fear  for  their  personal  safety. 

Shick-Shack  brought  word  that  the  Indians  talked  of  coming  in  force 
to  dri\re  the  whites  away,  and  their  daily  appearance  was  feared.  While 
the  stockade  was  being  built  a  number  of  families  stayed  at  Enoch  Dent's 
through  the  day  and  hid  in  the  bushes  at  night.  Mr.  James  T.  Hunt,  of 
Wenona,  remembers  being  sent  aloft  to  watch  while  his  mother  prepared 
the  dinner  below.  The  savory  odor  of  victuals  coming  up  the  chimney  was 
more  than  the  boy  could'  stand,  so  he  deserted  his  post  and  came  down, 
and  was  bolting  a  piece  of  pork  when  the  door  opened,  and  all  unbidden 
in  stalked  a  tall  Indian.  "  Not  the  least  obeisance  made  he,"  but  he  said 
in  the  best  pigeon  English  he  could  command  that  he  wanted  something  to 
eat.  The  boy's  hair  "straight  uprose,"  while  Mrs.  Dent  jumped  beneath 
the  bed.  He  was  given  the  best  in  the  house,  and  departed. 

On  another  occasion  a  number  of  women  had  met  at  the  house  of 
Enoch  Dent,  when  a  squad  of  Indians  came  past  on  their  ponies.  Some 
children,  Mrs.  Jas.  S.  Dent  among  the  number,  saw  them  coming,  and  gave 
the  alarm.  Mrs.  Hawes  ran  up  stairs,  and  the  others  scattered  off  into 
the  bushes.  Mrs.  Dent  ran  into  the  yard  and  hid  under  the  scant  foliage 
of  some  wild  gooseberry  bushes,  which  only  covered  her  back  and  should- 
ers, leaving  her  head  and  feet  exposed  to  the  view  of  the  Indians,  who, 
pointing  to  her  as  they  passed,  laughed  immoderately. 

WILD    GAME. 

In  182(5,  and  until  the  deep  snow  of  1830-31,  Ox  Bow  Prairie  and 
the  timber  around  abounded  with  deer,  wolves,  prairie  chickens,  quails, 


250  KECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

blackbirds,  crows,  wild  pigeons,  snipe,  etc.  In  the  fall  and  spring  numer- 
ous water  fowl,  such  as  ducks,  geese  and  brant,  covered  the  lakes  and 
ponds,  and  sandhill  cranes,  for  years  a  stranger  to  this  section,  were  plen- 
tiful. There  were  many  squirrels,  a  few  rabbits,  grey  foxes,  wild- 
cats, coons,  pole-cats,  woodchucks,  but  no  pheasants,  and  but  few 
opossums.  A  few  swans  were  seen  at  times.  That  year  was  very  fatal, 
and  they  were  never  so  plentiful  afterward. 

Captain  Hawes  says  the  wild  hogs  found  here  sprang  from  tame  ani- 
mals brought  in  by  the  settlers,  and  allowed  to  run  wild.  Hogs  that 
were  allowed  to  run  out  a  single  season  got  very  "scary,"  and  a  few  years 
would  give  them  all  the  characteristics  of  the  wild  hogs  of  Europe. 

David  Stateler  states  that  prairie  chickens  were  never  so  numerous  be- 
fore as  that  winter  and  the  next  season.  They  scratched  holes  in  the 
snow  to  the  ground,  and  roosted  in  those  holes  safe  from  all  foes.  In 
walking  through  the  fields,  these  places  could  be  seen  by  hundreds,  and 
the  chickens  would  not  fly  out  until  you  almost  looked  down  upon  them. 
But  the  quail  and  wild  turkeys  perished,  and  nearly  all  the  deer,  and  for 
several  years  after  that  fatal  winti  r  but  few  of  either  were  to  be  seen. 

Besides  the  wild-cat,  or  lynx,  which  the  settlers  frequently  met  with, 
they  were  outrageously  annoyed  by  wolves,  which  abounded  in  great 
numbers.  They  prowled  around  in  close  proximity  to  the  settlement 
in  such  numbers  as  to  defy  the  dogs  usually  found  as  appendages 
to  every  well  regulated  pioneer's  family.  Pigs,  sheep  and  poultry  were 
particularly  enticing  to  them,  and  upon  which  they  levied  heavy  tribute. 
A  pack  of  twenty  or  thirty  hungry  wolves  were  too  formidable  for  a  few 
dogs  to  attack,  and  when  they  attempted  it  they  usually  came  off  second 
best.  When  they  became  too  annoying,  neighborhood  hunts  were  organ- 
ized, at  which  many  were  killed.  The  Hon.  John  O.  Dent,  of  Wenona, 
describes  one  that  came  off  in  an  early  day,  the  centre  of  which  was  about 
a  mile  south-east  of  Mount  Pleasant,  which  corralled  250  deer  and  seventy 
or  eighty  wolves.  Thirty  wolves  and  fifty-one  deer  were  killed. 

THE    DEVIL    TURNED    INFORMER. 

One  evening  in  1829  Captain  Hawes  and  his  family  attended  meeting 
at  the  Hollenback  cabin,  and  listened  to  a  discourse  by  the  Rev.  Father 
Walker.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  services,  Adam  Payne  was  called  on 
to  pray,  and  having  a  good  opinion  of  his  oratorical  powers,  "laid  himself 


SINGULAR   WARNING   OF   A   FIRE.  251 

out,"  as  the  phrase  is,  for  an  unusual  effort.  He  prayed  for  everybody, 
from  Adam  down,  and  seemingly  for  every  thing,  at  last  winding  up,  after 
exhausting  the  patience  of  all  his  hearers,  including  the  minister.  Father 
Walker  spent  the  night  with  Captain  Hawes,  and  on  their  way  home  said 
to  the  latter,  "Brother  Hawes,  while  Brother  Payne  was  making  that 
long  prayer  the  devil  whispered  in  my  ear  that  your  house  was  on  fire, 
but  as  he  is  such  an  unconscionable  old  liar,  I  did  not  think  he  told  the 
truth  !"  Captain  Hawes  was  surprised  at  the  strange  apparent  intimacy 
between  the  devil  and  a  good  old  Christian  minister,  but  made  no  reply. 
They  jogged  along  without  increasing  their  speed,  until  coming  in  sight, 
the  house  was  discovered  ablaze  around  the  chimney,  and  enveloped 
in  smoke !  They  arrived  just  in  time  to  save  the  establishment,  which,  be- 
ing built  of  hard  wood,  had  burned  very  slowly. 

Tlie  Captain  has  ever  since  been  puzzled  with  the  question:  "What 
could  have  been  the  object  of  his  brimstonic  majesty  in  notifying  Father 
Walker  of  the  impending  catastrophe  ?  Was  it  because  he  was  wincing 
under  the  telling  blows  the  devout  Payne  was  raining  upon  him,  and 
therefore  desired  to  close  the  meeting  ?"  To  this  day  it  is  an  unsolved 
riddle  with  the  Captain,  and  he  can't  understand  the  intimacy  between 
the  parson  and  his  satanic  majesty. 

MISPLACED    CONFIDENCE    IN    A    WOLF. 

George  Hannum,  when  a  lad  of  sixteen,  shot  a  half-grown  wolf  which 
approached  too  near  where  he  was  feeding  his  cattle,  and  impaling  the 
animal  on  a  pitchfork,  strung  the  young  cub  across  his  shoulder  and 
started  for  home.  But  the  animal  was  neither  dead  nor  asleep,  as  his 
captor  too  confidently  supposed,  and  tiring  of  this  mode  of  conveyance, 
reached  down  and  caught  the  boy  by  the  seat  of  his  pants,  including  a 
goodly  portion  of  the  young  man's  person.  The  astonished,  not  to  say 
terrified  youth,  uttering  a  Comanche-like  yell  of  surprise  and  pain,  jumped 
about  six  feet,  and  dropping  his  lively  burden,  sped  for  home,  one  hand 
grasping  the  wounded  "seat  of  honor,"  and  the  other  frantically  clutch- 
ing at  space  in  general,  and  yelling  for  help !  The  boys  came  to  his  relief, 
and  the  wolf  was  again  made  captive,  but  any  reference  to  the  adventure, 
or  casual  mention  of  a  "fire  in  the  rear,"  was  ever  afterward  sure  to  pro- 
voke his  ii'e.  To  this  day  it  is  said  the  mention  of  a  wolf  will  involunta- 
rily cause  him  to  grasp  the  seat  of  his  pantaloons. 


252  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

OLD    MILLS    OF    MAGNOLIA    AND    VICINITY. 

'HE  first  mill  in  the  neighborhood  of  Magnolia  for  grinding 
corn  was  put  up  by  Mr.  Hollenback  in  1830,  on  Little  Sandy 
Creek,  near  the  village.  The  burrs  were  a  species  of  blue 
granite  found  along  the  Creek,  dressed  by  himself.  The 
work  of  shaping  and  finishing  was  long  and  tedious,  but 
when  finished  theywere  very  creditable  specimens  of  Mr. 
Hollenback's  skill  and  patience.  They  were  used  for  many 
years.  The  mill  at  first  was  run  by  hand  power,  the  cus- 
tomer contributing  his  personal  strength  to  the  work  while  his  grist 
was  being  ground. 

Captain  Hawes,  one  of  the  Lewis  brothers  and  Mr.  Knox  once  ground 
three  bushels  of  corn  upon  it,  devoting  to  the  job  nearly  half  a  day's  hard 
labor  !  The  bolting  was  done  at  home,  each  patron  taking  his  grist  there 
when  ground,  and  the  women  and  boys  removed  the  bran  by  means  of  a 
seive. 

John  Dent  had  a  small  hand  mill  on  his  place  in  1833,  on  Little  Sandy. 

In  1842  Amos  Harney  built  a  woolen  mill  in  Magnolia,  or  else  added 

carding  machinery  to  a  flouring  mill  already  built.     About  1843  Basore 

<fe  Simouton  removed  the  machinery  from  Kestor's  mill  on  Sandy  and 

set  it  up  here. 

In  1835  Geo.  Griffith  had  a  saw  mill  on  Clear  Creek,  and  in  1837  con- 
verted it  into  a  flouring  mill. 

In  1839  Aaron  Basconi  built  a  saw  mill  on  Clear  Creek,  half  a  mile 
from  the  river  road. 

In  1850  Mr.  Gaylord  set  up  a  steam  mill  in  Magnolia,  which  subse- 
quently fell  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bowers. 

Dwellers  in  this  land  of  plenty  can  hardly  realize  the  inconveniences 
to  which  the  early  settlers  were  subjected  in  the  matter  of  food.  In  1831- 
31  the  stock  of  flour  and  corn-meal  ran  so  low  that  an  expedition  was 
fitted  out  to  go  to  "the  Wabash"  for  flour.  It  consisted  of  five  teams, 


•••'     \     ' 


GEO.  S.    PAR  K 

MAGNOLIA, ILL. 


REMINISCENCES    OF   THE   GREAT   SNOW.  255 

the  leader  being  Captain  Hawes.     They  were  absent  four  weeks,  and  re- 
turned loaded  with  provisions,  to  the  great  joy  of  their  families. 

* 

\ 

THE   FIRST    ORCHARD. 

• 

The  first  orchard  on  the  prairie  was  planted  by  Captain  Hawes,  in 
1827,  from  seeds  obtained  in  the  American  bottom.  Although  more  than 
fifty  years  old,  some  of  them  are  still  standing  and  bear  fruit.  Many 
procured  fruit  trees  from  Peoria,  and  others  brought  them  from  the  older 
States. 

THE    GREAT   SNOW. 

Innumerable  are  the  incidents  connected  with  the  deep  snow  of  1830- 
31.  Travel  was  suspended  except  in  cases  of  necessity.  Along  the 
roads  paths  were  beaten  down,  which  could  be  traveled,  but  a  horse  or 
ox  that  got  outside  was  apt  to  get  fast. 

One  day  a  man  came  to  Knox's  mill,  with  an  old  crowbate  horse,  for  a 
sack  of  meal.  The  beast  was  poor  and  weak,  and  staggering  beneath  its 
load,  fell  into  the  snow  and  could  not  be  extricated.  The  man  took 
the  load  on  his  back  and  started  home  for  help.  While  gone  the  wolves 
attacked  the  horse  and  ate  large  pieces  out  of  its  hams;  yet  the  animal  was 
alive  the  next  morning,  and  gave  a  grateful  neigh  of  recognition. 

Mr.  David  Stateler  relates  an  event  which  to  some  will  seem  humor- 
ous, but  to  him  had  no  fun  to  speak  of.  His  family  occupied  a  double 
cabin.  In  twenty-four  hours  a  vacant  room  would  be  full  of  drifted 
snow  up  to  the  roof.  All  hands  would  "  tackle  "  and  shovel  it  out,  but 
the  next  morning  it  would  be  full  again.  This  had  to  be  repeated  day 
after  day  while  the  storm  lasted. 

Another  memorable  event  was  the  great  freeze  or  sudden  change  of 
December  20,  1836,  when  the  weather  is  said  to  have  changed  eighty  de- 
grees in  a  few  hours.  Captain  Hawes  distinctly  recollects  the  singular 
appearance  of  the  sky,  and  says  before  the  change  his  cattle,  which  were 
kept  about  the  house,  stampeded  withoiit  any  known  cause  to  the  timber, 
and  could  not  be  stopped.  The  following  incident  is  related  by  him : 

On  that  day  three  men  rode  up  to  a  house  at  Walnut  Grove  and 
stopped.  They  did  not  dismount,  nor  seem  to  have  any  business,  or  show 
any  reason  for  thus  halting.  The  inmates  came  to  the  door,  and  discov- 
ering that  they  were  nearly  covered  with  ice,  rightly  divined  the  cause  of 


256  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TDtE. 

their  silence,  and  managed  to  get  the  unfortunate  men  removed  from  their 
horses.  Their  legs  were  covered  with  ice,  and  so  frozen  to  the  girths  and 
stirrups,  and  their  clothing  to  the  saddles  that  it  was  necessary  to  cut  the 
girths  and  bring  men,  saddles  and  all  into  the  house !  The  horses,  too, 
were  about  to  freeze,"  but  were  taken  to  a  hay-covered  stable  and  cared  for. 
After  several  hours'  work  the  men  were  "  thawed  out "  and  their  lives 
saved,  but  with  badly  frozen  feet,  ears  and  noses. 

Mr.  Studyvin  vouches  for  the  fact  that  rats  were  seen  that  day 
actually  frozen  fast  in  the  mud  while  crossing  the  streets.  Dead  rats  and 
pigs  were  found  in  the  streets  and  alleys,  and  especially  the  former,  which 
seem  to  have  perished  in  large  numbers  eveiy  where.* 

Jeremiah  Strawn  is  authority  for  saying  that  in  five  minutes  mud  froze 
sufficiently  hard  to  bear  a  horse. 

Enoch  Dent  and  his  son  John  had  a  like  memorable  experience.  With 
a  young  and  mettlesome  span  of  horses  they  were  going  some  distance  on 
an  errand,  when  the  young  man  was  thrown  from  the  wagon  and  got 
thoroughly  wet  in  the  mud  and  slush.  The  temperature  began  soon  after 
to  rapidly  change.  A  piercing  wind  came  from  the  north  and  west,  laden 
with  fine  stinging  hail-stones,  which  blinded  the  horses  and  men.  John 
soon  realized  he  was  in  a  fair  way  of  being  frozen,  and  becoming  alarmed, 
his  father  covered  him  with  blankets,  and  "let  the  mares  out."  For  the  next 
half  mile  the  team  bounded  like  deer  over  the  prairies.  What  had  a  few 
moments  before  threatened  young  Dent's  death — the  water  in  his  cloth- 
ing—  now  froze  into  solid  ice  and  proved  his  safety,  forming  a  shield 
through  which  the  Arctic  blasts  could  not  reach;  but  the  father  began 
to  feel  the  premonitory  symptoms  of  freezing.  Fortunately  they  soon 
reached  their  destination,  but  were  hardly  able  to  enter  the  shop  with- 
out help,  they  were  so  stiff  and  cold.  They  had  not  been  inside  three 
minutes  when  a  man  went  out  to  put  the  horses  under  shelter,  and 
found  the  wheels  frozen  in  the  tracks,  and  on  attempting  to  unhitch  the 
horses,  the  buckles  were  found  to  be  frozen  fast.  Toward  evening,  find- 
ing they  dare  not  drive  home,  they  went  three-fourths  of  a  mile  to  Mrs. 
Swan's  house,  and  in  that  short  distance  came  near  perishing. 

A    ROW    OF    EBONY    CROWS,    ETC. 

Captain  Hawes'  place  was  near  the  Lewis  house,  long  known  as  the 
underground  railroad  station  of  the  Quaker  settlement.  To  see  wagon 


AN    UNDER -GROUND    RAILWAY    STATION.  257 

loads  of  runaway  negroes  going  past  his  dwelling  toward  Lewis'  and  the 
happy  land  of  freedom  beyond,  was  a  common  occurrence,  one  of  weekly 
and  sometimes  of  daily  happening.  The  Captain  in  his  quaint  way  says : 
"It  got  to  be  a  regftar  thing.  I  used  to  look  over  toward  Lewis'  place 
mornings  and  see  niggers  roosting  on  the  fence  like  a  row  of  crows ! " 

Sometimes  pursuit  was  made  after  the  escaping  chatties,  but  there  is 
no  record  of  any  ever  having  been .  caught  in  this  locality.  Their  friends 
around  Magnolia,  Clear  Creek  and  Ox  Bow  were  numerous  and  deter- 
mined, and  it  would  have  gone  hard  with  the  slave  catcher  or  officer  who 
dared  to  venture  here  to  reclaim  one  of  these  fugitives.  The  friends  of 
the  slave  entered  heart  and  hand  and  with  their  very  souls, into  the  work 
of  helping  the  fugitive  onward. 

Stephen  and  James  Willis  brotight  through  Magnolia  the  first  escaping 
slaves,  in  1827  or  1828. 

SOME    HUNTING    STORIES. 

Mr.  John  W.  Laughlin  was  once  followed  by  a  large  timber  wolf  a 
distance  of  two  miles,  the  wolf  coming  at  times  within  200  yards  of  the 
somewhat  nervous  pedestrian,  who  did  not  run,  but  admitted  that  he 
"  wanted  to  !"  The  hungry  lupine  came  up  to  the  house,  when  the  family 
dog  was  started  after  him,  and  both  being  afraid  of  each  other,  the  dog 
would  chase  the  wolf  out  upon  the  prairie,  when  the  latter  would  turn 
the  tables  upon  the  dog  and  run  him  back  to  the  house, —  a  race  that  was 
two  or  three  times  repeated.  The  gun  being  out  of  order,  the  boys  armed 
themselves  with  axes  and  pitchforks  and  came  to  the  rescue  of  their  faith- 
ful "Towser,"  when  the  wolf  disappeared. 

Some  Mt.  Palatine  hunters  remember  with  feelings  of  disgust  the  fol- 
lowing incident:  They  once  drove  a  deer  across  the  prairie  toward  Mag- 
nolia, where  a  man  who  lived  near  the  timber  helped  them  to  capture  and 
kill  the  animal.  They  carried  the  deer  to  the  fellow's  house  by  his  invita- 
tion, and  while  dressing  it  dinner  was  announced,  and  they  were  pressed 
to  come  in  and  partake  of  the  meal.  A  four  hours'  chase  over  the  prairies 
had  given  the  boys  good  appetites,  and  they  eagerly  accepted  the  welcome 
offer.  When  through  and  about  to  leave,  the  host  inquired  of  them  "  if 
they  had  not  forgotten  something?"  They  asked,  "What?"  He  replied, 
"To  settle  for  your  dinner."  "Wall,"  drawled  he,  "  I  guess  the  deer 
will  make  it  all  right."  He  took  the  coveted  venison  upon  his  shoulder 
and  packed  it  into  the  house,  coolly  adding,  "Good  day !"  They  left  in 


258  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

as  completely  a  disgusted  state  of  mind  as  could  possibly  be  imagined. 
In  1842  a  noted  circular  hunt  came  off  in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Palatine, 
the  "  winding  up  "  point  being  a  clump  of  willows  two  miles  south-east 
of  town.  Fifteen  wolves  and  several  deer  were  the^result.  While  the 
party  were  dividing  the  game  at  its  conclusion,  a  deer  dashed  past  the 
hunters,  and  a  Mr.  Headly  killed  it  with  a  cooper's  adze. 

HOME-MADE    CLOTH. 

Illustrative  of  the  inventive  genius  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  State. 
Mrs.  John  Laughlin,  then  Miss  Jane  Reed,  living  in  Schuyler  County,  111., 
remembers  an  experiment  made  by  her  mother,  which  suggests  altogether 
a  novel  idea  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth.  She  took  the  tall  stalks  of  wild 
nettles,  which  grew  in  abundance  among  the  timber  everywhere,  and  were 
three  or  four  feet  high,  and  putting  them  through  the  same  process  as  was 
employed  in  the  treatment  of  flax  or  hemp,  made  cloth  of  the  lint  or  fibre ! 
It  was  coarse,  strong  and  durable,  and  made  a  sort  of  towel,  which  com- 
bined the  rubbing  qualities  of  the  washboard  with  the  drying  but  not 
soothing  effect  of  a  modern  fine  crash  napkin ! 

The  men  and  boys  in  those  days  (1830  to  1840)  wore  buckskin  pants. 
After  a  day's  wear  in  the  snow  or  rain,  and  dried  at  night,  they  would 
stand  them  up  by  the  beds  ready  for  next  morning's  wear.  As  a  little 
girl,  Mrs.  Laughlin  remembers  these  pants  standing  stiff  and  ghost-like 
about  the  room! 

MOUNT  PALATINE. 

To  the  eastward  of  the  line  of  timber  bordering  the  Illinois  River, 
and  running  outward  along  its  tributaries  between  Magnolia  and  Gran- 
ville,  there  lies  a  stretch  of  prairie  extending  to  the  Vermilion  River,  in 
La  Salle  County.  This,  for  beauty,  richness  of  soil  and  perfection  of 
farm  improvements  has  no  superior  in  the  State.  At  the  dividing  line 
between  La  Salle  and  Putnam  Counties,  about  six  miles  from  Tonica,  is 
situated  the  little  village  of  Mt.  Palatine.  It  was  laid  out  June  23, 
1849,  by  Christopher  Winters,  and  is  at  the  nortlr-east  corner  of  Magnolia 
Township. 

Winters  had  bought  a  large  body  of  laud  here  in  1830,  and  re-sold  it 
mostly  to  settlers  from  Massachusetts,  designing  to  start  on  his  land  "  a 
live  Yankee  town."  He  also  designed  the  establishment  of  an  educa- 


THE    VILLAGE    OF    MOUNT    PALATINE.  259 

tional  institution,  which  when  first  built  was  called  a  seminary,  but 
afterward  its  ambitious  projector  a;ul  patron  succeeded  in  having  it 
elevated,  in  name  at  least,  to  the  dignity  of  "  Judson  College." 

In  1842  the  first  house  in  the  town  was  built  by  "Deacon"  Wood- 
bury,  and  afterward  occupied  by  Elder  Thomas  Powell.  Otis  Fisher, 
of  Granville,  became  the  first  preacher  in  the  settlement,  in  1841.  He  had 
a  small  frame  dwelling  erected  just  outside  the  limits  of  the  town,  and 
lived  in  it  for  a  year. 

Dr.  Larned  Davis  first  visited  Mt.  Palatine  in  July,  1841,  and  be- 
gan making  improvements,  and  therefore  may  be  considered  the  first 
settler,  though  he  did  not  make  that  place  his  permanent  abode  until 
1843.  Mr.  Winters'  residence  was  built  in  1839,  and  stands  a  few  rods 
north  of  the  village.  He  preferred  not  to  reside  within  the  limits  of  his 
projected  town,  but  in  a  suburb  thereof.  There  were  two  or  three  other 
houses  built  on  the  prairie  near  and  around  the  town  in  1842.  One  was 
put  up  near  the  meridian  line,  close  to  the  town,  by  Mr.  Winters,  for 
Orrin  Whitcomb,  of  Magnolia,  who,  however,  failed  to  occupy  it. 
Another,  which  was  built  in  the  spring  and  had  been  blown  down,  was 
lie-raised  in  July,  1841,  in  which  labor  the  few  settlers  of  the  country  for 
several  miles  around  took  part,  mustering  not  over  a  dozen  men  and  boys. 
The  only  house  within  twenty-five  miles  in  a  south-easterly  direction  from 
Mt.  Palatine  was  that  of  William  Johnson,  which  was  a  mile  away. 
Since  then  the  country  has  completely  filled  up  with  thriving  and  indus- 
trious farmers. 

The  town  being  an  "inland"  place,  made  some  growth,  but 'its  nearest 
connection  with  the  world  being  Tonica,  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad, 
six  miles  away,  its  prospects  for  future  growth  are  not  very  flattering. 

The  probability  of  Mt.  Palatine  becoming  a  place  of  any  considerable 
importance  consisted  of  a  scheme  to  make  it  a  seat  of  learning.  An  acad- 
emy was  therefore  erected,  which  was  paid  for  by  subscriptions  from  the 
settlers  in  the  neighborhood.  The  building,  which  was  begun  in  the  fall  of 
1841,  was  plain  and  substantial,  built  of  brick.  Rev.  Otis  Fisher,  who  had 
done  much  toward  the  building  up  of  the  academy  at  Granville,  was  in- 
duced to  come  to  this  new  field  of  labor  as  superintendent,  which  he  en- 
tered in  the  winter  of  1842.  For  fifteen  years  the  Academy  flourished 
and  the  village  grew  in  proportion,  but  the  completion  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  caused  the  building  up  of  the  rival  town  of  Tonica,  six 
miles  distant,  when  the  local  trade  and  business,  which  had  been  the  life 


260  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEX   TIME. 

of  Mt.  Palatine,  ceased,  and  its  further  growth  was  not  only  stopped, 
but  its  rapid  decline  began.  The  Academy,  too,  ceased  to  be  attractive, 
and  it  gradually  subsided  from  its  previous  flourishing  condition,  and 
becoming  unprofitable,  was  sold  in  1860  to  the  Catholic  people  of  the 
vicinity.  A  condition  of  the  sale  made  between  the  two  parties  was  to 
the  effect  that  the  buyers  should  maintain  a  permanent  school  in  the 
building,  which  they  have  thus  far  done.  A  provision  made  in  the  trans- 
fer papers  was  to  the  effect  that  in  the  event  of  a  failure  to  maintain  such 
school,  the  title  of  the  property  should  revert  to  the  original  owners. 
The  building  is  used  by  the  Catholics  not  only  for  school  pui-poses,  but  as 
a  church. 

Among  the  pupils  who  attended  this  Academy  at  different  times  were 
the  Hon.  Thomas  Shaw  and  his  sisters,  now  of  Lacon,  and  Mr.  Whittaker, 
who  has  since  been  a  distinguished  missionary  to  Burmah. 

This  educational  institution  began  at  first  under  a  charter  as  an 
Academy,  but  during  the  days  of  Mt.  Palatine's  brightest  prosperity,  look- 
ing forward  to  a  higher  position  as  an  establishment  of  learning,  the  trus- 
tees obtained  from  the  Legislature  a  charter  as  a  College.  Their  building 
originally  cost  about  $3,000. 

During  the  career  of  this  institution  there  were  several  distinguished 
persons  connected  with  it,  among  whom  at  one  time  was  the  poet  Coates 
Kenney,  author  of  "Rain  on  the  Roof,"  who  officiated  there  as  a  teacher. 

In  1879  there  were  in  Mt.  Palatine  three  churches,  a  good  district 
school,  two  general  stores,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  wagon  shop,  post- 
office,  one  physician,  about  twenty-five  dwellings  scattered  over  sixty 
acres  of  ground,  and  a  population  of  about  one  hundred  people.  Among 
its  public  institutions  are  a  good  village  Literary  Club  and  a  Red  Ribbon 
Society.  The  first  hotel  (built  in  1852)  was  owned  and  run  by  Samuel 
Puffer,  a  good  brick  house,  which  is  now  occupied  as  a  residence  by  John 
W.  Laughliu. 

The  first  store  opened  in  Mt.  Palatine  was  that  of  Boardman  Fulsom, 
where  was  sold  drugs,  groceries  and  dry  goods.  He  began  business  here 
soon  after  the  town  was  laid  out,  and  retired  from  business  in  1850. 

MT.    PALATINE    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

The  people  of  this  religious  faith  living  at  Mt.  Palatine  and  vicinity 


MT.    PALATINE    RELIGIOUS    ORGANIZATIONS.  261 

were  formally  organized  into  a  Society  in  1845,  and  Elder  Thomas  Powell 
was  the  first  pastor. 

The  original  members  were:  Thomas  Powell,  Elizabeth  Powell,  Bar- 
bara Powell,  Otis  Fisher,  Harriet  N.  D.  Fisher,  Nathan  Kingsbury,  Syrena 
Kingsbury,  James  Curtis,  Maiy  J.  Curtis,  Isaac  Woodbury,  Eunice  O. 
Woodbiiry,  Jerusha  Woodbury,  Mary  W.  Boutwell,  Eunice  Graves,  Na- 
thaniel Graves,  Daniel  Reniff,  Rhoda  Reniff ,  Nancy  Reniff,  August  Reniff, 
Ruth  Stephens,  Mary  Reese,  Wm.  Johnson,  Hepsibeth  Johnson,  Peter 
Howe,  Arvilla  Howe,  Lamed  Davis,  Mary  Davis,  Hiram  Lamed,  Abbey 
Larned,  Orrin  Whitcomb,  Artemas  O.  Woodbury  and  Lydia  S.  Woodbury. 

The  meetings  of  this  sect  were  held  at  first  at  the  school  house,  until 
the  Academy  building  was  erected,  when  they  occupied  that  edifice  until 
the  dissolution  of  the  Society,  which  was  in  1865,  about  the  time  the 
building  named  was  sold  to  the  Catholics. 

THE    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

January  3,  1869,  a  business  meeting  of  those  favoring  the  forma- 
tion of  a  Congregational  Society  was  called,  which  met,  and  a  committee 
consisting  of  John  W.  Laughlin,  Robert  Gallaher,  A.  L.  Harrington,  John 
Larned  and  John  Morrison  was  appointed  to  obtain  the  names  of  such  as 
were  willing  to  enter  into  the  proposed  movement.  The  committee  re- 
ported at  an  adjourned  meeting  held  January  10,  and  again  at  a  meeting 
held  January  17.  It  was  then  decided  to  fnvite  the  Baptist  and  Method- 
ist Societies  of  Tonica  and  the  Cumberland  Church  Society  to  join  with 
them  for  general  conference,  with  a  view  to  the  organization  of  a 
"broad  gaiige"  church.  The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  the  Council  as- 
sembled February  6,  Gsorge  Gurnea  being  chosen  as  Moderator.  After 
transacting  the  general  business  before  the  Council,  the  Congregationalists 
proceeded  to  effect  their  church  organization,  which  they  did  by  the  elec- 
tion of  A.  L.  Harrington,  John  Morrison  and  George  Gurnea  as  Ruling 
Elders,  John  W.  Laughlin,  John  Morrison  and  Andrew  Powell  as  Trus- 
tees, James  G.  Laughlin  Secretary,  and  John  W.  Laughlin,  Treasurer. 

The  next  dayj  February  7,  the  Council  again  met  at  the  school  house 
at  Mt.  Palatine,  the  following  delegates  being  present  from  other  church 
organizations:  Thomas  Ware  and  Rev.  H.  V.  Warren,  from  Granville 
Congregational  Church;  J.  C.  Hayward  and  Rev.  J.  W.  West,  from  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Tonica;  Rev.  N.  W.  Curtis,  of  the  Methodist 


262  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Episcopal  Church  at  Tonica ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Bun-is,  A.  P.  Dysart,  N.  B.  Ful- 
som  and  R.  W.  Moore,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Granville;  and  Rev. 
J.  E.  Roy,  D.  D.,  agent  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society. 

This  organization  was  composed  of  the  following  named  members : 
John  W.  Laughlin  and  wife,  James  G.  Laughlin,  K.  J.  Davis,  Margaret 
McNab,  Caroline  Lawrence,  John  Morrison  and  wife,  A.  L.  Harrington 
and  wife,  George  Gurnea  and  wife  and  Stephen  W.  Gallaher. 

During  the  six  years  preceding  1879,  Dr.  E.  R.  Robinson  officiated  as 
pastor  for  this  Congregational  Society,  but  resigned  his  holy  calling,  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  medicine,  and  is  now  a  leading  physician  in  Mt.  Pal- 
atine. 

The  Congregational  Church  edifice,  a  substantial  building  capable  of 
seating  300  persons,  and  costing  with  its  organ  $3,500,  is  an  ornament  to 
that  section  of  the  country. 

PROSPECT    HOUSE. 

For  years  an  exceedingly  pretentious  building  stood  upon  the  prairie, 
near  the  county  line,  which  was  known  as  the  Prospect  House.  It  was 
erected  in  1836  by  Thomas  Patterson,  as  a  hotel  or  half  way  house  on 
the  Ottawa,  road,  and  was  properly  named,  being  located  upon  a  high 
knoll  or  rise  in  the  prairie.  From  the  balconies  of  this  house  a  most 
magnificent  view  of  the  country  for  many  miles  in  eveiy  direction  could 
be  obtained.  The  central  point  of  the  grand  wolf  hunt  of  November  1 1 , 
1842,  elsewhere  described,  was  at  a  small  willow  grove  near  Prospect 
Hoiise. 

THE   PREDESTINARIAN    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

This  Society,  one  of  the  earliest  religious  denominations  in  the  County 
of  Putnam,  was  organized  at  Caledonia,  September  3,  1836.  The  first 
pastor  was  Elder  James  B.  Chenowith,  who  began  his  ministrations  Octo- 
ber 1,  1836.  The  charter  members  were  Wm.  E.  Larkins,  Rachel  Lar- 
kins,  John  Brumsey,  Joseph  Ash,  Elizabeth  Ash,  Joel  Corbell,  Miriam 
Graves,  I.  D.  Glenn  and  Sarah  Glenn.  Their  present  house  of  worship 
was  built  in  1855. 

ACCIDENTS  AND  INCIDENTS. 

In  1850,  John  McWilliams,  a  respectable  citizen  of  Caledonia,  hung 
himself.  He  arose  from  his  bed  at  the  usual  hour  on  the  fatal  morning, 


ANECDOTES,    ACCIDENTS    AND    INCIDENTS.  263 


built  a  fire  and  went  out.  His  wife  prepared  breakfast,  but  her  husband 
not  returning  in  proper  time,  she  supposed  he  might  be  busy  in  the  stable. 
She  went  there  to  summon  him  to  breakfast,  when  she  was  horrified  to 
discover  him  hanging  by  the  neck.  His  life  had  taken  its  everlasting 
flight.  No  cause  was  ever  assigned  for  the  rash  act. 

In  1853,.  David  Trone,  a  blacksmith,  was  killed  by  a  remarkable  acci- 
dent. He  had  constructed  a  contrivance  propelled  by  horse  power,  by 
which  to  grind  and  polish  plows.  He  had  started  it  up  on  the  day  in 
question,  and  was  making  satisfactory  progress,  when  the  grindstone  burst 
and  a  piece  of  it  struck  him  in  the  breast,  killing  him  almost  instantly. 

In  1855  a  man  named  Parsons,  who  had  not  been  long  married,  living 
near  the  head  of  the  prairie,  went  to  the  timber  for  a  load  of  wood.  He 
told  his  wife  he  would  return  about  noon.  That  hour  came  and  passed, 
as  did  several  others,  and  at  about  four  o'clock  she  became  very  uneasy, 
and  tried  to  induce  some  of  the  neighbors  to  go  in  search  of  him ;  but  en- 
tertaining none  of  the  anxious  young  wife's  fears  for  his  safety,  no  one 
went.  When  night  came  and  her  husband  failed  to  make  his  appearance, 
toe  poor  woman  persuaded  a  few  of  her  neighbors  to  accompany  her.  In 
this  search,  which  was  continued  several  hours  into' the  night,  they  were 
unsuccessful,  and  the  unhappy  and  disconsolate  woman  went  weeping  to 
her  couch. 

The  next  morning  the  almost  crazed  woman  set  out  alone  in  search  of 
her  husband,  and  as  soon  as  she  reached  the  timber  she  was  struck  dumb 
with  the  sight  that  greeted  her  eyes.  She  found  the  object  of  her  long 
and  painful  search  lying  by  the  side  of  his  sled,  stiff  and  cold  in  death. 
He  had  been  crushed  by  a  large  log  which,  in  attempting  to  load  upon  his 
sled,  had  slipped  and  fallen  upon  him.  There  he  had  lain  alive  for  sev- 
eral hours,  as  the  snow  within  reach  of  his  feet  and  hands  showed  the 
unmistakable  evidence  of  his  vain  struggles  to  free  himself.  The  horses 
had  remained  all  night  by  the  side  of  their  dead  master.  After  Mrs.  Par- 
sons found  the  corpse,  being  unable  to  extricate  it,  she  returned  and  told 
the  dreadful  story,  and  soon  willing  hands  and  sympathizing  friends  hur- 
ried to  the  scene,  returning  with  their  mangled  and  ghastly  burden.  It 
was  a  sad  case,  and  excited  deep  sympathy  for  the  poor  young  wife. 

MRS.    GILLA    COWAN. 

This  estimable  lady  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  John  E.  Dent,  and  an  aunt 


264  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

of  Hon.  John  O.  Dent,  now  a  resident  of  Wenona.  Her  husband,  Mr. 
William  Cowan,  visited  Illinois  in  1829,  with  a  view  to  selecting  a  loca- 
tion for  a  settlement.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  the  East,  but  early  in 
1831  came  back,  bringing  his  wife  and  family,  and  for  many  years  resided 
about  a  mile  from  Magnolia,  at  which  place  he  died  in  1864. 

Mrs.  Cowan  once  had  an  amusing  experience  with  a  party  of  Indians, 
which  she  took  pleasure  in  relating.  On  one  occasion  a  half  dozen  war- 
riors came  to  her  house  arid  asked  for  food,  explaining  that  they  were 
hungry.  She  immediately  prepared  a  meal  for  them,  placing  it  upon  a 
table  with  the  usual  accompaniment  of  dishes,  knives  and  forks,  and 
placed  her  copper-colored  guests  in  position  to  enjoy  the  bountiful  repast 
which  she  had  prepared.  They  imagined  the  plates  were  placed  before 
them  to  catch  the  juices  that  dripped  from  their  mouths  as  they  tore  their 
food ;  but  they  examined  the  knives  and  forks  curiously,  and  after  debat- 
ing the  matter,  the  bright  idea  struck  one  of  them  to  dip  his  hand  in  the 
dish,  sieze  pieces  of  meat,  stick  them  on  the  points  of  the  knife  and  fork 
before  him  and  hold  them  there,  taking  the  meat  from  them  with  his  fin- 
gers for  conveyance  to  his  mouth.  The  idea  seemed  a  feasible  one,  and 
was  immediately  followed  by  each  of  the  others. 

PIGEON    ROOST. 

In  1857-8  this  country  literally  swarmed  with  wild  pigeons.  Never 
before  in  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant  were  these  birds  so  plenti- 
ful, and  never  since  has  there  been  any  such  visitation.  They  filled  the 
woods  everywhere  between  Union  Grove  and  Crow  Creek,  but,  as  is  the 
habit  with  this  peculiar  variety  of  the  feathered  tribe,  they  flocked 
together  and  formed  an  immense  "roost"  in  the  woods  near  Jeremiah 
Strawn's  house.  Here  they  gathered  in  large  numbers,  coming  in  such 
clouds  as  at  times  to  darken  the  sky.  They  would  make  a  noise  when 
disturbed  in  daytime  like  the  rushing  of  a  mighty  wind  storm.  Their 
roost  covered  a  space  of  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  one  direction  and 
nearly  double  that  in  the  other.  They  lodged  upon  trees  until  they  broke 
off  large  limbs,  and  bent  the  tops  of  the  saplings  and  undergrowth  to  the 
ground.  At  nights  they  were  at  the  mercy  of  hunters,  who,  provided 
with  flaming  torches  which  blinded  the  birds,  could  shoot  and  slaughter 
at  leisure.  Persons  came  from  considerable  distances  to  obtain  them  as 


A    WONDERFUL    PIGEON    BOOST. 


265 


an  article  of  food,  and  they  generally  returned  loaded  down  with  game. 
One  evening  Joshua  Bush  and  his  son  Isaac  killed  750  birds,  and  on 
another  occasion  Isaac  brought  down  eighty-eight  of  them  by  discharging 
both  barrels  of  his  shot  gun,  firing  promiscuously  at  a  tree  full  of  them. 


26(5 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


SENACHWINE  T.OWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION. 

E  Township  and  village  of  Senachwine  derive  their  names 
from  a  noted  Indian  chieftain  formerly  living  in  the  vicinity, 
and  whose  remains  were  interred  half  a  mile  north-east  of 
the  village.  The  Township  consists  of  one  whole  and  one 
fractional  township,  and  contains  in  all  about  forty-four  sec- 
tions of  land.  It  lies  upon  the  west  side  of  the  Illinois 
River,  and  is  made  up  of  alluvial  bottom  and  table  land 
of  unparalleled  fertility.  Portions  are  subject  to  overflow, 
but  year  by  year  the  river  is  receding  or  the  annual  deposits  raise  the  land 
so  that  a  larger  surface  is  brought  under  cultivation. 

The  principal  stream  is  Senachwine  Creek,  known  in  former  times  as 
the  Little  Elbow  in  contradistinction  to  a  larger  stream  of  the  same  name 
in  the  vicinity. 

Senachwine  Lake  is  a  pleasant  body  of  water  east  of  the  village,  aboxit 
two  and  a  half  miles  long  and  from  eighty  to. one  hundred  rods  wide, 
noted  for  its  fine  fish  and  for  being  a  pleasant  resort  for  hunting  and  bath- 
ing parties  in  summer. 

In  1835  a  town  was  laid  out  here  by  B.  M.  Hayes,  but  appears  to  have 
died  in  the  shell,  as  nothing  of  its  history  can  be  learned. 

Subsequently  the  village  of  Senachwine  was  laid  out  by  Peter  Barn- 
hart  and  Cortland  Condit,  owners  of  the  land. 

In  the  year  1855  the  Bureau  Valley  Railroad  was  built,  and  the  same 
year  James  McCurdy  opened  a  store,  the  first  in  the  place.  He  was  also 
the  first  postmaster.  In  that  year,  too,  George  H.  Ward  began  the  gro- 
cer's trade,  and  Aaron  Haines  built  a  hotel.  At  present  the  town  con- 
tains about  one  hundred  buildings  of  all  kinds,  and  400  inhabitants.  It 
has  two  churches,  a  fine  public  school  house,  elevator,  passenger  building, 
flouring  mill,  several  good  stores,  etc. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  SENACHWINE  TOWNSHIP.  267 

The  bluffs  abound  with  coal,  which,  though  easily  mined,  has  never 
been  developed. 

Early  attention  was  given  to  schools,  and  a  building  for  school  pur- 
poses was  erected  in  1838,  on  an  island  in  the  lake,  at  which  most  of  the 
young  men  of  that  day  obtained  the  rudiments  of  their  education.  The 
first  teacher  was  Mary  Emerson,  and  her  patrons  were  Messrs.  Reed,  Ba- 
con, Morgan,  Talliaferro,  Barnhart  and  Condit.  For  many  years  this 
building  served  its  purpose,  but  long  since  gave  way  to  a  better  structure 
and  went  to  decay. 


EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  white  settler  at  Senachwine  was  James  R.  Talliaferro,  who 
in  March,  1835,  made  a  claim  on  the  site  of  the  deserted  Indian  village. 
The  only  white  settlers  then  in  this  valley  besides  himself  were :  Tyrrell 
Reeves,  Jesse  Perkins,  Wm.  Lathrop  and  Russell  Mallory  and  their  fam- 
ilies. For  many  miles  above  and  below,  on  the  east  side  of  the  liver, 
there  were  no  other  settlers. 

At  Henry  there  were  Major  Thompson,  'Mr.  Stacey  and  Charles  Nock. 
With  the  exceptions  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Talliaferro,' there  are  now  none  living 
of  those  first  settlers  of  this  Township. 

George  Reeves,  famous  as  "the  outlaw,"  lived  in  a  small  shanty  north 
of  Talliaferro's  dwelling,  which  is  now  known  as  the  James  Winship 
place.  Reeves'  brother  Tyrrell  at  one  time  lived  near  the  top  of  the  same 
hill,  but  he  subsequently  removed  to  the  lower  end  of  Crow  Meadow 
Prairie.  There  was  a  third  brother  named  William,  who  lived  with  them  a 
short  time,  but  returned  to  Indiana.  There  was  still  another  brother 
named  John,  who  improved  the  place  from  which  George  was  aftei*ward 
expelled.  •  Tyrrell  and  William  improved  the  place  which  was  afterward 
known  as  the  Barnhart  place. 

When  Talliaferro  moved  to  Senachwine  he  was  accompanied  by  a 
young  man  named  Asa  Mounts,  and  a  young  woman,  Charlotte  Pfief- 
fer.  These  persons  were  subsequently,  in  the  fall  of  1835,  united  in 
marriage  and  settled  north  of  Mr.  Talliaferro's  place,  on  the  Perkins  farm. 

The  next  settler  was  Wm.  L.  Gilbert,  who  occupied  a  part  of  the 
Barnhart  farm,  and  near  him  Dr.  Culbertson,  a  physician  who  did  not 
practice  his  profession,  also  settled  and  improved  the  Wm.  Wheeler  place. 


268  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

In  the  fall  of  1837,  Samuel  C.  Bacon  and  Thomas  Morgan  settled  upon 
the  Culbertson  claim. 

The  wife  of  James  R.  Talliaferro  came  with  her  parents  to  LaSalle 
County  in  1828,  when!  she  was  thirteen  years  of  age;  was  married  in 
1833,  and  came  to  live  at  her  new  home  at  Senachwine  in  1836.  The 
first  death  that  occurred  here  was  their  son  Norris,  on  August  21,  1836, 
an  infant  less  than  a  year  old. 

Thomas  Morgan  came  to  Hennepin  in  1835,  and  was  married  to  Clara 
Cook,  sister  of  W.  E.  Cook,  deceased,  of  Lacon,  an  account  of  whose  wed- 
ding is  given  elsewhere. 

Peter  Barnhart  afterward  bought  Gilbert's  claim  and  settled  thereon 
in  1836.  On  this  place  he  was  prosperous,  and  there  he  ended  his  days. 

C.  R.  Condit  came  in  1836,  and  settled  south  of  the  Indian  mounds, 
where  he  laid  out  the  town  of  Senachwine,  at  first  calling  it  Condit. 
Philip  Reed  arrived  during  the  same  season  and  made  a  claim  on  what 
was  afterward  the  Drake  farm.  •. 

Lewis  Thompson  and  Wm.  Kidney  arrived  in  1837,  and  began  improve- 
ments on  their  afterward  well  known  homestead.  James  Buchanan  came 
in  1838,  made  a  claim  and  sold  it  to  Matthew  Hoyt,  who  occupied  it  the 
following  year. 

William  Williams  started  from  his  home  in  Philadelphia  in  1837,  went 
to  Hartford,  Indiana,  where  he  remained  till  the  spring  of  1838,  when  he 
made  a  trip  as  supercargo  of  a  flatboat  down  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
Rivers  and  up  Red  River,  returning  to  Hartford  the  next  year.  Later 
in  the  year  he  traveled  across  the  country  on  horseback  to  Warford  Bon- 
ham's,  above  Sparland.  He  afterward  opened  a  claim  in  the  Snyder 
settlement,  where  he  became  acquainted  with  John  B.  White,  for  whom 
the  town  of  Whitefield  was  named.  In  1 843  he  married  Miss  A.  Lyon, 
having  previously  moved  to  Senachwine.  He  was  Judge  of  Putnam 
Coiinty  for  six  years,  and  held  many  different  local  offices,  among  them 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  performed  for  twenty- 
five  years. 

Samuel  C.  Bacon  moved  to  Senachwine  in  the  fall  in  1837,  and  was 
the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  precinct,  and  afterward  of  the  town, 
an  office  which  he  held  for  over  twenty-five  years. 

John  Williams  came  West  in  1837,  and  settled  at  Hennepin,  but  after- 
ward moved  to  Senachwine,  and  settled  on  his  present  farm. 

Loton  Frisbee  settled  near  the  bluff,  in  Senachwine,  in  June,  1835, 


THE   SITE    OF    AN   ANCIENT   NECROPOLIS.  2G9 

near  the  line  of  Henry  Township.  At  that  time  Russell  Mallory  lived  on 
the  prairie,  but  sold  his  claim  the  same  year  to  Colonel  Snyder,  who  pre- 
viously lived  on  Guy  Pool's  place. 


LABORERS    IN    THE    VINEYARD. 


The  first  minister  who  ever  preached  in  this  locality  was  Elder  James 
B.  Chenowith,  of  the  Baptist  Cluirch.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  1838, 
and  lived  on  a  place  about  half  way  between  Senachwine  and  Tiskilwa. 

In  1839  Rev.  Mr.  Kenyon,  a  Methodist,  came  into  the  neighborhood, 
and  commenced  a  ministration  in  holy  things.  He  was  the  first  man  to 
introduce  a  McCormick  reaper  in  this  section  of  country. 

In  1857  the  Methodists,  having  increased  in  numbers  so  that  no  pri- 
vate house  coiild  accommodate  them,  built  a  neat  and  substantial  church. 
Their  first  "class  meeting"  was  organized  in  1838. 


SENACHWINE'S  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


Surrounded  by  an  amphitheater  of  hills,  near  the  mouth  of  Little 
Senachwine  Creek  is  a  beautiful  and  romantic  spot,  whereon  for  ages 
stood  a  famous  Indian  village  bearing  the  name  Senachwine.  This  was 
the  name  of  a  prominent  Indian  chief  who  for  nearly  a  hundred  years  had 
dwelt  in  this  region.  Between  this  historic  place  and  the  Illinois  River 
there  is  a  beautiful  lake,  celebrated  for  the  abundance  and  excellence  of 
its  fish.  The  Indian  chief  gave  his  name  not  only  to  his  village  and  this 
lake,  but  also  to  the  creek  which  enters  the  valley  here;  and  the  town  of 
the  white  people,  the  voting  precinct  and  the  township  have  all  been  hon- 
ored with  the  same  title.  This  was  also  the  name  of  the  postoffice  until 
some  ambitious  person  with  an  unpoetic  soul  desired  a  change  in  the 
name  of  the  office  to  make  it  conform  with  that  of  the  railroad  station 
near  the  old  town,  and  had  it  called  Putnam. 

In  unknown  ages  past,  this  county  was  the  bed  of  a  great  inland 
lake,  and  the  bluffs  northwest  of  the  village,  an  island,  which,  as  the 
waters  subsided,  became  the  wooded  range  of  hills  we  now  see.  These 
mark  the  southeastern  boundary  of  the  small  valley  which  afforded 
a  site  for  the  Indian  village  of  Senachwine.  These  hills  are  separate  and 
distinct  from  the  Illinois  River  bluffs,  and  stand  out  upon  the  plain  to  the 
East,  a  marked  feature  in  the  landscape. 

In  the  vicinity  are  numerous  mounds  and  remains  of  an  ancient  civil- 


270  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

ization,  and  on  the  top  of  a  ridge  east  of  Mr.  Talliaferro's  residence  is  a 
series  of  mounds  in  which  some  trace  a  resemblance  to  certain  animals, 
and  claim  they  were  originally  constructed  for  worship. 

•  The  dwelling  and  a  portion  of  the  farm  of  James  R.  Talliaferro  are  in 
this  beautiful  valley,  wherein  stood  Senachwine's  village.  Even  as  re- 
cently as  1835  the  country  around  was  strewn  with  tlie  relics  of  Indian 
wigwams,  and  there  were  visible  evidences  of  the  existence  of  at  least  300 
of  their  rude  houses.  Early  French  traders  mention  the  existence  of  an 
Indian  village  there  which  numbered  500  lodges. 

The  large  number  of  mounds  found  upon  the  hills  around  this 
little  valley  can  be  accounted  for  on  no  other  hypothesis  than  that  this 
was  once  densely  populated  by  the  aborigines,  and  probably  had  been 
for  many  years  an  Indian  burial  ground. 

When  Mr.  Talliaferro  first  visited  this  locality,  now  more  than  fifty  years 
ago,  the  grave  of  the  old  Indian  chieftain,  Senachwine  (then  not  long  dead), 
was  shown  him.  The  stakes  which  had  been  placed  at  each  end  of  the  grave 
were  there  still,  and  a  high  pole  which  had  been  placed  near  the  spot  to 
indicate  its  locality,  still  had  fluttering  at  its  top  a  small  flag,  which  the 
old  chief 's  followers  had  placed  there.  Mr.  Talliaferro's  residence  stands 
on  the  site  of  a  once  large  and  thriving  town,  inhabited  by  a  race  of  peo- 
ple whose  characteristics  were  entirely  different  from  ours.  Where  wig- 
wams stood,  the  plowman  regularly  drives  his  team  afield  to  cultivate  the 
soil.  The  burial  places  of  the  red  man  of  the  forest  are  also  utilized  for 
similar  purposes,  and  the  mounds  which  were  made  to  indicate  their  rest- 
ing places  are  being  converted  by  the  plowshare  of  modern  civilization 
into  corn  and  wheat  fields. 

THE    INDIANS    AT    SENACHWINE's    GRAVE. 

Senachwine,  the  famous  Indian  chief,  of  whom  we  have  frequently 
made  mention,  died  in  1830  at  the  Indian  village  which  bore  his  name, 
and  his  body  was  buried  with  the  pomp  and  ceremony  which  became  his 
station.  For  many  years  his  grave  was  an  object  of  interest,  not  only  to 
the  white  people,  but  to  the  Indians  also,  who  came  from  long  distances 
to  visit  it. 

In  1835  a  large  number  of  Pottawattomie  Indians  came  to  pay  their 
tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  this  dead  chief.  When  they  assembled 
around  the  mound  they  were  greatly  and  justly  indignant  at  finding  the 


• 


; 


(DECEASED.) 

WE1NONA.  ILL. 


SEN ACII WINE   BRANCH   IT.    G.    RAILWAY.  273 

remains  had  been  molested.  Some  worthless  hunters,  searching  for  valua- 
bles, had  rifled  the  dead  chief's  grave  and  scattered  his  remains.  Deep 
was  their  grief  and  lasting  their  resentment.  It  was  an  insult  and  outrage 
difficult  to  endure.  They  opened  the  grave  and  proceeded  with  much 
ceremony  to  re-inter  his  bones.  This  done,  they  made  a  new  mound  over 
the  spot,  placed  substantial  posts  in  the  ground  at  either  end,  and  about  a 
rod  away  toward  the  south-west  erected  a  pole,  with  a  small  flag  at  the 
top.  When  this  was  accomplished  they  bitterly  turned  their  faces  to  the 
setting  sun  and  departed,  never  to  look  upon  his  grave  again. 

HOW   A   WOMAN    SHOT   A   DEER. 

The  following  incident,  related  by  Mrs.  John  Williams,  shows  what 
the  sex  were  capable  of  in  the  olden  time,  and  that  though  woman  may 
faint  at  the  sight  of  a  dangerous  mouse  and  go  into  "  conniptions  "  at  the 
explosion  of  a  Fourth  of  July  squib,  she  can,  under  other  circumstances, 
exercise  courage,  judgment  and  self-possession  of  the  highest  order. 

One  morning  in  1846,  during  the  absence  of  the  "men  folks,"  she  saw 
from  her  cabin  window  a  fine  looking  deer  pass  by,  and  taking  her  hus- 
band's loaded  gun  from  its  rest,  endeavored  to  bring  him  in  range,  but 
without  effect.  She  had  two  dogs  that  came  at  her  call  and  attacked  the 
deer,  but  after  a  short  run  and  fierce  fight  they  were  disabled.  Finally 
she  shot  the  animal  in  the  head,  without,  however,  dispatching  him, 
and  while  she  returned  for  a  knife  to  cut  its  throat,  a  disreputable  charac- 
ter named  Cy  Bowles,  who  had  quietly  watched  the  performance,  hastily 
dispatched  the  game,  and  being  a  large,  powerful  man,  shouldered  and 
carried  it  off  before  her  return. 

A   RUNAWAY. 

Occasionally  a  fugitive  slave  would  find  the  road  to  liberty  through 
Senachwine,  sent  upon  this  out-of-the-way  trail  to  avoid  pursuit. 

Once  a  negro,  hotly  pressed  by  his  enemies,  was  disguised  by  his 
friends  as  a  woman,  and  passed  through  Senachwine  in  a  lumber  wagon, 
in  charge  of  George  Cone,  who  lived  between  this  village  and  Henry. 

On  another  occasion  a  fellow  came  to  the  house  of  Asa  Cunningham, 
near  the  village,  and  begged  his  assistance.  He  was  an  escaped  slave, 
from  Missouri,  and  while  resting  by  the  roadside  discovered  in  the  dis- 
tance an  approaching  horseman,  whom  he  at  once  knew  to  be  his  master. 


274  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TDIE. 

The  negro  said  :  "I  was  so  skeert  dat  I  sbet  my  eyes,  afeerd  he'd  see 
'em,  and  did  n't  dar  to  draw  my  bref ,  afeerd  he  'd  smell  'um,  for  I  'd  a  ben 
eatin'  wild  ingens  (onions)."  The  master  was  at  the  hotel,  and  the  slave 
dare  not  move,  for  it  was  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  Mr.  Cunningham 
was  the  village  undertaker,  and  rightly  believing  no  one  would  hunt  a 
runaway  in  a  hearse,  hitched  up  his  blind  horse  and  loading  the  "  darkey" 
into  a  coffin,  drove  through  Senachwine  at  a  melancholy  amble,  the  busi- 
ness gait  of  the  ancient  nag.  The  master  saw  the  cavalcade  as  it  passed, 
and  was  amused  at  the  oddity  of  the  turnout,  while  the  driver  headed  his 
course  forHennepin  and  safely  delivered  his  lively  "corpse"  into  the  hands 
of  trusty  friends,  who  kept  him  concealed  until  the  pursuers  left  the 
country. 


THE   MURDER    OF    M'KEE. 


A  number  of  years  ago  a  man  named  Anderson  McKee  was  the  keeper 
of  an  inn  at  Henry.  He  had  r.s  a  guest  one  Williams,  a  drunken,  worth- 
less fellow,  who  never  found  it  convenient  to  pay  his  board  bills.  This 
delinquency  was  the  cause  of  frequent  disputes  between  the  parties,  and 
Williams,  becoming  angered  at  McKee's  continued  demands,  determined 
to  do  him  bodily  harm.  He  told  McKee  if  he  would  procure  a  horse  and 
buggy  and  go  with  him  to  Boyd's  Grove,  where  he  said  money  was  due 
him,  he  would  liquidate  the  debt.  McKee  consented  to  the  arrange- 
ment, and  they  started  off,  not,  however,  directly  toward  the  place 
they  proposed  to  visit,  for  they  were  seen  riding  about  the  bluffs  beyond 
Senachwine,  on  the  road  leading  to  Princeton.  It  was  while  in  a  thick 
piece  of  woods  on  these  bluffs  that  Williams,  with  a  knife  with  which  he 
had  that  day  provided  himself,  while  McKee's  attention  was  diverted, 
deliberately  cut  the  throat  of  his  companion.  There  was  a  profuse  flow 
of  blood  from  the  wound,  and  the  injured  man  immediately  lost  con- 
sciousness. Williams,  supposing  he  had  fully  succeeded  in  his  murderous 
work,  dragged  the  body  from  the  buggy  and  placed  it  behind  a  large  log 
lying  some  distance  from  the  road.  Finding  water  near  by,  he  removed 
the  blood  stains  from  the  buggy  and  his  person  as  well  as  he  could,  and 
instead  of  continuing  forward  on  the  Princeton  road,  turned  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Henry.  When  about  half  way  between  that  place  and  Senach- 
wine he  was  met  by  a  man  who  had  seen  him  and  McKee  together  in  the 
buggy  before  they  left  Henry,  who  asked  where  McKee  was.  Williams 
gave  an  evasive  answer,  and  the  man  continued  his  journey.  Approach- 


DEXTROUS    SURGERY    IN   THE    OLDEN   TIME.  275 

ing  a  farm  house  a  short  distance  beyond,  he  found  the  people  there  in 
great  commotion.  It  seems  that  McKee,  after  having  been  thrown  behind 
the  log  and  left  for  dead  by  Williams,  revived  sufficiently  to  drag  him- 
self to  the  farm  house,  not  many  rods  away,  and  with  his  remaining 
strength  tell  his  pitiable  tale.  A  physician  was  summoned,  but  when  he 
arrived  it  was  too  late.  The  vital  spark  had  fled. 

The  man  who  had  met  Williams,  on  learning  these  facts  and  seeing 
the  bloody  body  of  McKee,  took  a  circuitous  route,  Irarried  to  Henry,  and 
procured  the  issue  of  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  the  murderer.  An  officer 
immediately  went  in  pursuit,  readily  found  the  man  he  was  in  search  of, 
and  lodged  him  in  jail.  In  due  time  a  trial  of  the  case  was  had,  the  cul- 
prit was  convicted  of  manslaughter,  and  served  out  a  term  in  the  peniten- 
tiary therefor. 

SICKNESS. 

The  early  settlers  had  many  hardships  and  privations  to  contend  with, 
but  their  worst  foes  were  ague  and  malarial  fevers.  Bad  as  these  complaints 
are  now,  they  were  infinitely  worse  then,  while  the  remedies  now  most 
used  were  then  unknown.  Physicians  were  few,  and  reliance  was  mainly 
upon  roots,  herbs,  and  good  nursing.  The  year  1838  was  particularly  un- 
healthful,  and  numerous  deaths  occurred  among  the  children.  In  two 
neighboring  families  in  Senachwine,  twelve  persons  were  prostrated  at 
once,  and  only  one  person  to  wait  iipon  them.  Dr.  Montfort,  of  Henry, 
was  the  only  physician  available,  and  his  labors  were  incessant.  Mercury 
in  its  various  forms  was  largely  used,  often  entailing  great  and  untold 
suffering,  as  in  the  case  of  a  Miss  Reed,  one  side  of  whose  face  was  eaten 
away  by  the  poison,  leaving  the  bare  and  fleshless  jaw  exposed;  her  teeth 
fell  out,  and  her  jaws  became  set  so  that  it  was  with  difficulty  food 
could  be  forced  into  her  mouth.  Her  sufferings  were  intense,  yet  she 
recovered,  and  modern  science  restored  her  fearfully  nmtilated  face  into 
at  least  a  semblance  of  humanity,  after  which  she  enjoyed  good  health 
for  many  years.  This  was  done  by  removing  the  skin  from  a  portion  of 
the  arm,  binding  the  aim  to  her  face,  and  then  retaining  it  with  bands 
until  it  grew  there,  when  the  piece  so  attached  was  cut  off  and  rounded 
into  form.  The  operation  was  painful,  but  the  woman's  will  and  endu- 
rance made  it  a  success. 


276  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


GRANVILLE  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XXXIL 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

*HE  Township  of  Granville  was  so  named  by  Ralph  Ware, 
after  the  town  from  which  he  came  in  Massachusetts.  It  is 
situated  in  the  north-east  corner  of  Putnam  County,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Illinois  River,  on  the  east  by 
La  Salle  County,  on  the  south  by  Magnolia  and  on  the  west 
by  Hennepin  Township.  It  contains  forty-four  sections  or 
square  miles  of  surface.  Along  its  northern  boundary  are 
the  bluffs  of  the  Illinois  River,  while  wooded  points  extend 
into  the  prairies  along  either  side  of  such  streams  as  flow  toward  the 
river.  With  the  exception  of  the  wooded  lands  referred  to,  and  the  "bot- 
tom" lands  adjoining  the  water-courses,  the  surface  of  the  country  is  rich 
and  level  prairie,  covered  with  fertile,  well  cultivated  farms. 

FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlers  in  Granville  Township  were  the  brothers  James  and 
George  B.  Willis,  who  came  in  1827 ;  Stephen  D.  Willis,  who  afterward 
(in  1853)  went  to  Oregon;  and  John  Robinson,  a  celebrated  hunter,  in 
1828;  George  Ish  and  his  son  Bazdale,  a  youth  of  fourteen  years,  James 
D.  Ross,  Roswell  Blanchard,  Hugh  Warnock,  -  -  Creswell  and  Leonard 
Ross  in  1829.  In  1830  came  -  -  Burr,  Daniel  Jones,  -  Thomas, 

-  Williams,  -  -  Daniels.  -  Hendricks  and  John  D.  Blake  came 

in  1831.  Henry  Schooler  and  James  Vintiner  arrived  in  the  settlement 
in  1832.  In  1833  the  population  was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  Thomas 
Ware,  James  Mills,  -  -  Shepard,  Robert,  John  and  Alexander  Moore, 
Mrs.  Mary  Mills,  Mrs.  Ellen  Lundy,  Mrs.  James  Harper,  Albert  Harper 
and  Samuel  Brown.  In  1834,  Daniel  and  J.  F.  Shepard,  Anthony  Smith, 
A.  D.  Hayslip  and  William  Sherman  came  and  settled.  In  1835,  J.  W. 


GRANVILLE APPEARANCE  AND  SURROUNDINGS.  277 

Hopkins,  George  B.  Hopkins,  Luther  D.  Gurm,  Alanson  Whitaker  and 
August  Brenneman  came;  nnd  in  183fi,  Isaac  Sprague,  Amos  Dewey  and 

-  Benshauer. 

Some  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  Township  whose  names  are  not  given 
above,  who  either  died  or  moved  away,  are  James  G.  Lawton,  Joseph, 
James  and  Simeon  Warnock,  who  came  in  1829  or  30,  and  subsequently 
wei.t  to  Iowa;  John  Burrows  in  1829,  dead;  Isaac  Archer  in  1830,  dead; 
Thomas  Wafer  in  1830,  went  to  Texas  and  is  dead 

The  first  interment  made  in  the  cemetery  at  Granville  was  the  body 
of  Levi  Shepard,  in  January,  1837. 

In  1838,  Luther  D.  Gunn  settled  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Granville; 
Hugh  Warnock  lived  at  Union  Grove  in  1833,  and  Jame,s  Warnock  in  the 
vicinity. 

THE  VILLAGE  OF  GRANVILLE. 

The  village  was  surveyed  and  laid  off  April  7,  1836.  Its  first  settler 
was  a  man  named  Creswell,  who  built  a  cabin  there  in  1832-3.  The  sec- 
ond house,  a  frame  structure,  was  erected  by  Thomas  Ware,  in  1834. 
In  April,  183(5,  an  addition  was  made  to  the  village  by  Thos.  Ware, 
James  Parr,  William  Smith,  Clarissa  Ware,  Archer  and  Margaret  Hay- 
slip.  It  occupies  a  commanding  site  upon  the  prairie,  affording  a  fine 
view  of  the  surrounding  country,  approached  in  all  directions  by  good 
roads.  Few  localities  present  scenes  of  siich  varied  sylvan  beauty.  The 
farms  are  highly  cultivated,  the  houses  are  elegant,  the  roads  are  bor- 
dered with  hedges,  and  a  profusion  of  shade  and  fruit  trees  beautify  the 
landscape  and  add  to  its  attractiveness.  The  fathers  of  the  settlement 
"  built  for  all  time,"  and  laid  its  foundations  broad  and  deep  in  the  eternal 
principles  of  truth  and  rectitude.  Early  attention  was  given  to  schools, 
and  the  morals  of  the  country  were  not  overlooked.  It  is  to  the  credit  of 
the  citizens  that  no  saloon  has  ever  been  licensed  in  the  town,  and  what- 
ever drunkenness  there  may  have  been  was  imported,  and  not  "  to  the 
manor  born." 

In  early  times  Granville  was  a  bustling,  go-ahead  place,  with  a  promis- 
ing future.  Its  merchants  were  enterprising,  and  carried  large  stocks  of 
goods.  Its  public  school  was  known  and  noted  all  over  Central  Illinois, 
and  young  men  came  from  long  distances  to  avail  themselves  of  its  ad- 


278  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

vantages.  Its  ministers  of  the  Gospel  were  eloquent ;  society  was  refined 
and  courteous;  newspapers  and  bo.»ks  circulated  freely,  and  on  all  ques- 
tions of  public  interest  the  people  were  well 'informed  and  voted  intelli- 
gently. 

Among  the  earliest  merchants  were  the  Laughlin  Brothers,  who  were 
better  farmers  than  merchants,  and  allowed  their  sympathies  to  get  away 
with  their  judgment.  They  sold  goods  on  time,  and  soon  had  to  abandon 
the  business.  They  commenced,  too,  at  an  ill  chosen  time,  amidst  the  gen- 
eral crash  of  1837. 

Of  late  years  the  town  has  measurably  declined.  Peru  on  one  side 
and  Hennepin  on  the  other  have  drawn  upon  its  resources,  and  as  they 
grew  and  increased  Granville  seemed  to  decay. 


RELIGIOUS  SERVICES. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Granville  and  Union  Grove  the  blessings  of  Chris- 
tianity were  taught  by  missionaries  at  an  early  day.  Every  three  weeks 
in  the  fall  of  1829,  Rev.  William  Royal,  a  Methodist  preacher,  gathered 
his  little  flock  at  the  house  of  George  Ish,  and  also  about  the  same  time, 
or  perhaps  a  few  months  later,  performed  the  same  pious  duty  for  the 
settlers  about  Union  Grove  and  the  neighborhood  where  Florid  was 
afterward  mapped  as  a  town  site.  Among  the  pioneer  ministers  in  the 
same  faith  were  Rev.  Mr.  Parker  and  Rev.  Edward  Haile,  the  latter 
being  described  as  an  incorrigible  "  old  bach  "  of  sixty-two  years,  and 
almost  a  woman  hater,  so  marked  was  his  aversion  to  or  terror  of  the  sex. 

GRANVILLE    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

Elder  Thomas  Powell  was  the  first  Baptist  minister  who  ever  preached 
.  in  Granville.  He  came  there  in  1836,  and  preached  to  a  few  people  gath- 
ered at  the  house  of  Mr.  Shepard.  A  few  weeks  afterward  he  returned 
and  preached  again,  his  audience  including  all  who  could  get  into  the 
building  —  a  small  unfurnished  frame  store  erected  by  James  Laughlin. 
The  congregation  was  composed  of  Presbyterians,  "  Seceders,"  Congrega- 
tionalists  and  Baptists. 

The  people  generally  were  so  anxious  to  have  regular  religious  exer- 


SLAVERY    DENOUNCED    AS    A   SIN.  279 

cises  that  they  invited  Elder  Powell  to  divide  his  time  between  them  and 
his  other  appointment?.  lie  had  been  sent  as  a  Missionary  of  the  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society,  to  Putnam  County.  His  first  stopping  place  was 
at  John  Robinson's,  between  Granville  and  Htnnepin.  The  Elder,  when 
he  visited  Granville  on  the  occasions  referred  to,  was  a  resident  of  Vermil- 
ionville,  and  his  duties  there  prevented  him  from  accepting  the  proposal 
of  the  people  of  the  former  place.  His  appointments  were  at  Hennepin, 
Clear  Creek,  Payne's  Point,  Magnolia,  five  miles  east  of  Sandy  Creek,  and  on 
the  Vermilion  River,  where  Streator  now  stands'.  There  were  then  thirteen 
Baptists  in  Hennepin  and  Granville,  whom  he  organized  into  the  Baptist 
Church  Society  of  Granville,  which  organization  still  exists  and  has  a 
place  of  worship.  It  has  furnished  four  young  men  to  the  ministry,  one 
of  whom,  Samuel  Whitaker,  finished  his  course  in  the  Asiatic  department 
of  Foreign  Missions  in  Burmah,  and  died  there;  another,  E.  O.  Whitaker, 
died  while  a  Chaplain  in  the  late  war;  the  third,  Charles  Button,  is  now 
pastor  of  a  church  in  Wisconsin,  and  the  fourth,  —  —  Robinson,  established 
a  church  at  the  mouth  of  Columbia  River,  Oregon,  whkih  was  said  to  be 
the  first  Protestant  church  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

"kThe  Baptist  Church  of  Hennepin  and  Granville"  was  organized  April 
15,  1837,  by  Thomas  Powell,  Daniel  Shepard,  Alanson  Whitaker,  Joseph 
M.  Fail-field,  Nancy  Winters,  Elizabeth  Winters,  Lydia  Ann  Winters, 
Cynthia  Arm  Winters,  Ruth  Ann  Gould,  Lucy  Ann  Simpson,  Delia  Per- 
kins and  Ruth  Whitaker,  who  met  at  Hennepin  for  that  purpose.  Daniel 
Shepard  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  J.  M.  Fail-field,  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  held  by.  the  members  of  this  church  in  July,  1843,  the 
slavery  question  having  became  an  exciting  topic  all  over  the  Union,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  slavery  is  a  sin  against  God  and  an  outrage  on  human  rights,  and  that  we 
as  a  Baptist  Church  cannot  conscientiously  admit  a  slaveholder  to  our  pulpit  or  communion 
table. 

•  _ 
At  a  meeting  held  December  3,  1843,  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  church 

at  Granville,  and  W.  A.  Pennell,  J.  W.  Eames  and  Harrison  Rice  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  take  the  matter  in  charge,  measures  also  being 
taken  to  incorporate  the  Society  according  to  law. 

A  frame  structure,  thirty-six  by  forty-six  feet,  was  promptly  built, 
and  a  bell  weighing  1260  pounds  was  soon  after  procured  and  placed  in 
the  belfry  of  the  church.  This  is  said  to  be  the  first  church  bell  put  up 


280  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

anywhere  in  Putnam  County.     The  church  building  cost  about  $2,000, 
and  is  a  very  respectable  and  handsome  structure. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Granville  was  organized  April  27,  1839. 
On  that  day  George  W.  Elliott,  of  Lowell,  James  H.  Dickey,  of  Union 
Grove,  and  Mr.  Spaulding,  of  Peoria,  who  had  previously  been  appointed 
by  the  Peoria  Presbytery  for  the  purpose,  met  at  a  house  in  Granville. 
With  them  were  associated  James  Mears,  Polly  Mears,  Ralph  Mears, 
Lucinda  A.  Ware,  John  Pool,  Thomas  Ware,  Nancy  L.  Ware,  James  G. 
Laughlin,  Ruth  Laughlin,  Asenath  Nash,  Hannah  Ware,  Thomas  Wafer, 
Elizabeth  Wafer,  Harriet  N.  Wafer,  James  H.  Wafer,  John  Short,  Eleanor 
Short,  Cyrus  H.  Short,  Prior  M.  Short,  William  H.  Short,  James  Hale, 
Marena  Hale,  J.  W.  Laughlin,  Alexander  M.  Laughlin,  Philena  Kidder, 
George  Perry  and  David  L.  Child.  These  latter  named  persons  were  ad- 
mitted to  take  part  in  the  organization  by  reason  of  their  being  members 
in  good  standing  in  the  Church,  each  of  them  producing  letters  of  dis- 
missal, or  other  satisfactory  evidence  to  that  effect.  After  the  usual 
preliminary  exercises  were  had  the  meeting  organized.  James  Mears  and 
Ralph  Ware  were  chosen  as  Ruling  Elders,  whose  terms  of  office  were  to 
continue  until  September  3,  next  ensuing,  and  John  Pool  and  Thomas 
Ware  were  chosen  to  the  same  office,  their  terms  to  begin  on  the 
expiration  of  the  time  for  which  their  predecessors  were  chosen. 

The  Church  then  extended  an  invitation  to  Mr.  H.  G.  Pendleton,  a 
licentiate  from  Lane  Theological  Seminary,  to  become  their  preacher, 
which  invitation  was  accepted,  and  he  at  once  entered  upon  the  discharge 
of  his  duties.  The  first  sacramental  communion  of  the  members  of  the 
new  Church  was  held  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  May,  1839,  and  on  the  first 
day  of  August  following,  the  Church  and  community  were  cj^led  upon  to 
mourn  the  death  of  James  Mears,  one  of  the  first  chosen  Ruling  Elders  of 
the  infant  Church. 

Almost  from  its  inception  this  Church  seems  to  have  been  torn  by  dis- 
sensions, and  as  a  matter  of  course  it  could  not  become  prosperous,  either 
in  a  temporal  or  spiritual  view.  In  August,  1842,  Horace  Morse,  with 
quite  a  number  of  other  members  who  sided  with  him  in  one  of  these  un- 
happy quarrels,  preferred  a  request  to  the  session  for  letters  of  dismissal 


MERITED    RECOGNITION    OF    FAITHFUL    SERVICE.  281 

to  a  church  at  Hennepin.  A  motion  was  made  to  lay  the  petition  on  the 
table,  —  otherwise  to  refuse  the  request.  This  brought  on  a  most  stormy 
and  acrimonious  debate,  and  after  long  discussion  and  the  exhibition  of 
much  hard  feeling,  the  request  was  granted  and  the  letters  issued. 

It  seems  that  the  slavery  question,  pro  and  con,  which  was  agitating 
the  country  from  Maine  to  Texas  in  1844,  crept  into  the  Granville  Church 
and  proved  a  fire-brand  there.  Some  of  the  members  were  strong  Aboli- 
tionists, while  others  were  either  indifferent  to  the  question  or  openly  took 
part  on  the  other  side.  It  was  probably  on  that  account  that  Rev.  Mr. 
Pendleton,  feeling  that  his  day  of  usefulness  had  ceased  there,  was 
prompted  to  sever  his  connection  with  the  Chuich.  About  the  time  that 
he  did  so  those  who  were  opposed  to  him  procured  a  declaration  to  be  en- 
tered on  the  Church  minutes  severely  reflecting  upon  him  for  entertaining 
pro-slavery  views.  In  August,  1844,  at  a  church  meeting,  the  following 
resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  Brother  H.  C.  Pendleton  having  served  four  years  as  stated  supply,  and 
at  the  end  of  the  fourth  year  it  was  decided  by  a  large  majority  that  he  was  not  satisfactory 
to  the  Church  on  account  of  his  pro-slavery  sentiments,  a  portion  of  the  Church  deeply  sym- 
pathize with  him,  as  he  had  proved  himself  a  laborious  and  faithful  minister. 

Mr.  Pendleton  having  severed  his  connection  with  the  Church,  on  Sep- 
tember 7, 1 844,  Rev.  J.  A.  Hallock  was  called  to  its  pastorate  as  a  "  supply," 
who  was  followed  April  10,  1845,  by  Rev.  R.  C.  Clark,  also  as  a  supply. 

In  1845  the  congregation  built  a  neat  and  substantial  church  edifice, 
which  has  been  in  constant  use  for  religious  purposes  ever  since. 

Dating  back  for  several  years  this  Society  was  in  a  bad  way.  Rent 
by  internal  dissensions,  much  bitterness  existed  among  the  members. 
Some  had  gone  off  and  connected  themselves  with  other  churches, 
others  abandoned  attendance  upon  any  church  services  whatever,  and 
those  who  remained  were  not  happy. 

In  November,  1847,  one  of  the  persons  who  had  withdrawn  from  the 
Church  in  1842  applied  for  re-admission.  This  created  a  storm  from  the 
effects  of  which  the  Church  never  recovered,  and  the  work  of  disintegra- 
tion was  complete.  A  Congregational  Church  having  in  the  meantime 
been  established  at  Granville,  a  proposition  Avas  made  to  unite  the  two  or- 
ganizations, and  in  October,  1850,  that  arrangement  was  perfected. 

REV.    H.    G.    PENDLETON. 

The  labors  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pendleton  deserve  special  notice.     His 


282  RECOEDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

name  is  closely  identified  with  those  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches  of 
Granville,  Lacon,  Henry,  and  Providence,  Bureau  County ;  with  the  Henry 
Female  Seminary,  and  with  the  cause  of  Christianity,  education  and  hu- 
man progress  generally  in  this  section  of  Illinois. 

In  April,  1839,  the  New  School  Presbyterian  Church  at  Granville  was 
organized,  and  Mr.  Pendleton,  who  was  then  a  licentiate  from  Lane  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  was  invited  to  come  and  preach  for  them,  which  invita- 
tion he  accepted.  In  January,  1840,  having  completed  his  course  of 
studies  at  the  Seminary  and  passed  a  rigid  and  most  satisfactory  examin- 
tion,  he  was  ordained  a  minister  by  Peoria  Presbytery,  and  for  four  years 
after  that  time  was  the  beloved  pastor  of  the  Granville  Church.  At 
the  beginning  of  his  labors  there  the  membership  was  twenty-seven,  and 
when  he  retired  from  its  pastorate  there  were  the  names  of  sixty-seven 
active  members  on  the  rolls.  That  church  organization  now  constitutes 
substantially  the  present  Congregational  Church  of  Granville. 

In  August,  1844,  Mr.  Pendleton  was  invited  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Lacon  to  become  their  pastor,  which  position  he  accepted,  and 
remained  there  f.or  one  year,  during  which  time  twenty  persons  were 
added  to  the  church.  There  are  many  persons  in  Lacon  at  the  present 
time  who  have  very  pleasant  recollections  of  the  days  when  this  gentle- 
man ministered  to  their  spiritual  needs. 

In  March,  1845,  the  New  School  Presbyterian  Church  at  Henry,  with 
twelve  members,  was  organized  under  the  auspices  of  Mr.  Pendleton, 
which  organization  is  the  basis  of  the  present  Congregational  Church 
there.  While  he  was  acting  as  pastor  of  the  Henry  church,  he  had  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Providence,  Bureau  County, 
over  which  charges  he  presided  for  four  years.  But  his  labors  were  not 
confined  alone  to  these.  He  had  eight  appointments  in  as  many  different 
parts  of  the  country,  which  he  regularly  filled,  and  it  was  while  making 
these  itinerant  journeys  he  became  impressed  with  the  great  lack  and 
increasing  need  of  qualified  school  teachers.  This  state  of  things  led  Mr. 
Pendleton  to  consider  the  possibility  and  probability  of  founding  an  insti- 
tution to  be  devoted  to  education  and  preparation  of  suitable  persons  as 
teachers.  In  his  travels  he  saw  that  because  of  the  previous  absence  of 
almost  everything  that  looked  like  schools,  the  masses  of  the  people  were 
very  deficient  in  even  the  most  essential  educational  accomplishments,  and 
that  the  children  who  were  growing  up  were  equally  unfortunate.  It  is 
true  that  in  most  of  the  villages  and  neighborhoods  some  attempts  were 


LABORS  IN  BEHALF  OF  EDUCATION.  283 

made  at  school  teaching,  but  these  were  but  spasmodic  efforts  made  by 
incompetent  or  untrained  persons  without  system  or  correct  ideas  as  to 
what  studies  should  be  pursued,  usually  started  or  carried  on  by  those 
who  had  nothing  else  to  do  or  could  find  no  other  employment  whereby 
they  might  make  their  living,  and  in  log  huts  which  were  uncomfortable, 
unhealthy,  and  not  at  at  all  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  they  were 
used. 

The  more  he  saw  of  the  want  of  better  arrangements  for  educating 
the  rising  generation,  the  more  impressed  he  became  with  the  neces- 
sity of  putting  forth  his  strongest  efforts  to  carry  out  the  idea  which 
had  possessed  him,  and  the  Henry  Female  Seminary  was  the  result. 
After  much  scheming,  planning  and  consultations  with  friends,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  money  sufficient  to  erect  a  building  forty-four  feet  square 
and  three  stories  high,  with  an  ell  sixteen  by  forty  feet,  two  stories  in 
height.  The  Seminary  building  was  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  for 
which  it  was  built,  and  was  a  monument  to  the  good  man  who  had 
labored  so  long  and  patiently  for  its  erection. 

On  November  12,  1839,  the  doors  of  the  Seminary  were  thrown  open 
for  the  admission  of  pupils,  and  from  that  time  until  the  winter  of  1855 
the  school  was  well  sustained  by  eager  young  people,  anxious  to  prepare 
themselves  for  the  profession  of  teachers;  tlie  fall  and  winter  sessions  fill- 
ing the  building  to  its  utmost  capacity.  February  15,  1855,  the  building 
was  unfortunately  destroyed  by  fire.  The  following  summer  the  ell  of  a 
new  building,  twenty-four  by  thirty-two  feet,  three  stoiies  high,  was  put 
up  on  the  old  site,  and  during  the  spring  and  summer  of  1856  the  main 
building,  forty  by  eighty  feet,  was  also  erected;  all  at  a  cost  of  $15,000. 

November  25,  1856,  the  doors  of  the  new  Seminary  were  opened,- and 
the  prosperity  attending  the  old  blessed  the  new.  The  Legislature 
granted  this  Seminary  a  charter  at  its  session  of  1856-57. 

The  teachers  employed  in  the  Seminary  were  drawn  mainly  from  that 
most  excellent  seat  of  learning,  the  Holyoke  (Mass.)  Female  Seminary, 
from  whence  has  been  supplied  to  all  parts  of  the  Union  large  numbers  of 
most  thoroughly  competent  and  able  instructors.  The  school  was  well 
sustained  until  the  financial  crash  of  1857  prostrated  business  throughout 
the  whole  country.  Another  influence  that  operated  against  the  pros- 
perity of  the  institution  was  the  new  system  of  public  graded  and  high 
schools,  which  were  just  then  coming  into  operation  in  the  State,  and 
took  away  much  of  its  patronage. 


2g4  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  late  war  Mr.  Pendleton  contracted  a  sale 
of  the  Seminary  building  to  the  Methodist  Central  Conference,  and  sur- 
rendered the  premises  to  their  control,  with  the  exception  of  the  rooms 
occupied  by  his  family.  The  Methodists  held  the  building  for  about  three 
years,  when,  through  the  inefficiency  of  their  agent,  they  failed  to  fulfill 
their  contract,  and  the  property  reverted  to  its  former  owner.  After  this, 
having  gone  through  many  changes  and  vicissitudes  during  which  the 
prosperity  of  the  enterprise  was  becoming  continually  lessened,  in  the 
autumn  of  1869  it  was  sold  to  the  German  Reformed  Church,  which 
closed  the  connection  of  Mr.  Pendleton  with  the  institution. 

GRANVILLE    ACADEMY. 

To  Rev.  Naham  Gould,  the  First  Presbyterian  minister  who  settled  in 
Granville  Township,  the  village  of  Granville  and  the  Academy  which 
was  one  of  its  chief  ornaments  are  indebted  for  their  birth  and  existence. 
His  idea  was  to  establish  an  academy,  commencing  on  a  very  moderate 
scale,  commensurate  with  the  necessities  of  the  community  and  its  financial 
ability.  From  such  modest  beginning  he  hoped  that  his  pet  enterprise 
would  rapidly  assume  more  pretentious  proportions,  which  would  become 
so  enlarged  as  to  convert  his  academy  into  a  college,  with  an  organized 
faculty  and  the  usual  collegiate  paraphernalia. 

Having  secured  the  promise  of  needed  assistance  from  his  neighbors, 
he,  in  1835,  set  about  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building  for  his  school, 
and  soon  he  had  a  strong,  well  built  and  convenient  house,  24x36  feet 
square,  two  stories  high,  finished  and  ready  for  occupancy.  The  neigh- 
bors had  turned  out  with  skillful  hands  and  willing  hearts,  gone  to  the 
forest  and  hewed  out  the  necessary  parts,  the  quality  of  which  was  so 
good  and  the  workmanship  so  perfect  that  the  frame  of  that  old  academy 
is  standing  to-day,  after  having  withstood,  the  storms  and  blasts  of  many 
winters,  and  the  racking  and  jostling  of  having  been  moved,  as  perfect, 
sound  and  useful  as  though  it  had  just  been  delivered  from  the  workman's 
hand. 

The  association  that  had  the  matter  of  the  erection  of  the  building  and 
the  establishment  of  the  Academy  in  charge,  procured  a  charter  from  the 
Legislature  in  1837.  This  having  been  obtained,  they  turned  the  estab- 
lishment over  to  the  Township  Trustees  for  the  purpose  of  opening  a  pub- 
lic school,  and  the  doors  were  thrown  open  for  that  purpose  in  December 
following. 


THE  FOUNDING  OF  GRANVILLE  ACADEMY.  285 

Tliis  institution,  from  a  very  small  beginning,  gradually  acquired  con- 
siderable fame,  not  only  in  its  own  locality,  but  all  over  the  West.  The 
men  who  took  a  leading  part  in  the  enterprise  were  the  old  settlers  of  the 
Township,  and  with  no  endowment  save  their  own  energy  and  public 
spirit,  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  their  school  grow  into  notice  and 
become  a  seat  of  learning  from  which  afterward  many  prominent  and 
scholarly  men  and  women  were  to  graduate. 

The  first  teacher  who  had  charge  of  the  new  school  was  Otis  Fisher, 
several  years  afterward  ordained  as  a  Baptist  minister.  After  him  was 
Miss  Lovejoy,  a  sister  of  Owen  Lovejoy,  a  man  whose  name  lives  in  the 
history  of  his  county;  and  later,  Miss  Jane  Hawks. 

Among  those  whose  names  have  attained  prominence  in  the  State  who 
were  educated  at  the  Granville  Academy,  are  Harvey  Jones,  Mr.  Jackson, 
Henry  Hunter,  of  Chicago;  Judge  John  Burns,  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Illinois,  of  Lacon;  Benjamin  F.  Lundy  and  his  twin  sister;  Rev.  Charles 
Bolton,  of  Fond  du  Lac ;  Rev.  Daniel  Whitaker  and  Rev.  Thomas  Allen, 
missionaries  to  Burmah;  Hon.  P.  A.  Armstrong,  of  Morris;  Ex-Governor 
of  Illinois  John  L.  Beveridge  and  his  brother,  and  many  others. 

A  new  building,  much  larger,  more  commodious,  and  possessing  many 
modern  improvements,  has  taken  the  place  of  the  old  one.  Its  dimensions 
are  40  by  75  feet;  built  at  a  cost  of  $8,000. 

The  Rev.  Mi1.  Gale,  founder  of  the  prosperous  city  of  Galesburg,  then 
unborn  and  unknown,  came  to  Granville  on  a  prospecting  tour,  seeking  a 
place  which  would  be  desirable  as  a  site  for  a  town  and  college,  which  he 
was  designing  to  establish.  He  soon  discovered  in  the  prairies,  timber, 
soil,  climate  and  surroundings  of  Granville  all  the  requisites  which 
nature  could  furnish  for  the  purpose,  and  concluded  to  invest  his  capital 
and  apply  his  energy  and  business  capacity  here,  in  the  development  of 
his  scheme.  He  broached  the  subject  to  Mr.  Gould,  who  at  once  claimed 
a  prior  determination  to  the  same  end  and  purpose.  Mr.  Gale  very  cour- 
teously said:  "There  is  room  in  Illinois  for  two  such  places  and  colleges 
as  we  design  to  create;  let  us  separate.  I  will  seek  a  location  elsewhere." 
He  did  so,  and  Galesburg  was  the  result. 


OLD  SCHOOL  HOUSES. 
The   first  school    taught  in  Granville  Township  was  in  the  fall   of 


286  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

1834,  Miss  Burr  being  the  teacher.  It  was  in  a  small  log  cabin,  about 
twelve  feet  square,  which  Mr.  Wafer  had  put  up  for  a  smoke-house,  neaa 
his  residence  on  the  edge  of  the  timber,  about  one  mile  north-west  of  the 
village  of  Granville.  The  school  was  conducted  on  the  pay  system,  and 
was  patronized  by  George  Ish,  Thomas  Ware,  Mrs.  Laughlin  and  Mr. 
Mears. 

In  the  fall  of  1835,  James  Laughlin  and  one  or  two  others  built  a  log 
school  house  in  the  timber,  and  afterward  attempted  to  move  it  to  the 
center  of  the  district,  but  did  not  succeed  in  doing  so.  Miss  Burr  taught 
in  this  building  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1835.  The  same  winter  a  public 
school  was  opened  by  Miss  Abbie  Hawks  in  the  Academy  building,  before 
it  was  entirely  finished.  Since  then  the  Township  has  so  greatly  increased 
in  population  that  eleven  schools  are  now  taught  within  its  limits,  in  as 
many  different  school  districts. 


AN  OBLIGING  TRAMP. 

Of  James  Willis  this  story  is  told :  In  the  spring  of  1830  he  returned 
to  his  former  home  to  settle  up  some  business,  and  on  his  way  stopped  at  a 
wayside  house  of  entertainment,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  a 
traveler,  looking  up,  as  he  said,  a  location.  As  usual  in  those  days  the 
men  made  known  their  respective  business,  and  Mr.  Willis  stated  that 
he  had  been  quite  successful  in  closing  up  his  affairs,  and  was  conveying 
home  the  results.  He  had  some  ready  money,  and  proposed  to  improve 
his  farm,  and  was  on  the  lookout  for  a  suitable  man  to  engage.  The 
stranger  listened  with  interest,  and  replied  that  he  thought  of  visiting  the 
Illinois  country,  and  if  Mr.  Willis  would  give  him  a  job  he  would  change 
his  route  and  accompany  him  home.  A  bargain  was  easily  made,  and  the 
next  morning  the  two  started  out,  Willis  riding  his  horse  and  the  stranger 
on  foot.  In  this  way  they  passed  the  settlements,  and  entered  on  an  ex- 
tensive prairie,  Willis  occasionally  giving  his  companion  a  ride  and  walk- 
ing himself.  As  they  journeyed  along  a  deer  sprung  up,  and  the  stranger 
asked  to  shoot  it.  His  request  was  granted,  but  though  the  chance  was 
good,  the  fellow  didn't  fire,  saying  he  "couldn't  get  the  hang  of  the 
tarnal  thing."  Not  long  after  they  again  changed,  Mr.  Willis  having 
resumed  his  gun.  The  money  was  carried,  be  it  known,  in  a  pair  of  saddle- 
bags behind  the  sa'ddle.  After  mounting  the  stranger  rode  off  leisurely 


TREATMENT  OF  PRISONERS  IN  THE  OLDEN  TIME.  287 

but  in  a  gradually  increasing  gait  until  a  sufficient  distance  was  obtained, 
when  ue  raised  his  hat,  bade  "Willis  good  bye,  and  rode  off  at  a  gallop. 
Willis  brought  his  fusee  to  his  face  and  ordered  him  to  stop,  but  the  pow- 
der had  in  the  meantime  been  removed  from  the  pan,  and  it  would  not  go 
off.  He  turned  off  the  regular  road  and  was  soon  lost  to  view.  Willis 
meanwhile  pushed  on  hard  as  he  could.  A  dozen  miles  or  so  ahead  was 
a  settlement  where  he  was  known,  and  a  few  hours  sufficed  to  gather 
a  dozen  trusty  men  on  fleet  horses,  and  after  a  sharp  chase  of  thirty  miles 
the  thief  was  overhauled,  and  money  and  horse  recovered.  The  proper  way 
would  have  been  to  have  strung  the  fellow  up,  but  Judge  Lynch  was  not 
presiding  then,  and  he  was  turned  over  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  where 
the  capture  was  effected,  and  Willis  proceeded  homeward. 

There  was  no  jail  in  the  county  and  the  Sheriff  took  his  prisoner 
home,  placed  shackles  on  his  limbs,  arid  kept  him  in  his  own  house.  The 
fellow  took  the  arrest  quite  coolly,  and  appeared  to  be  not  at  all  dissatis- 
fied with  the  arrangement.  It  was  the  beginning  of  a  hard  winter,  and 
the  prospect  of  comfortable  quarters  was  not  at  all  displeasing.  He  read 
and  sang,  played  the  fiddle,  and  made  himself  both  useful  and  agreeable. 
Finding  his  landlord's  household  wanted  shoeing,  he  made  it  known  that 
he  understood  the  whole  art  and  mystery  of  cobbling,  and  said  if  his  en- 
tertainer would  furnish  the  leather  he  would  do  the  work.  It  was  done, 
and  the  good  natured  tramp  made  shoes  for  the  whole  family,  while 
chained  by  one  leg  to  his  work-bench.  One  stormy  day  when  the  Sheriff 
was  absent  and  none  about  the  premises  but  women,  the  cattle  broke  into 
a  field  where  corn  was  standing  in  shocks,  and  the  accommodating  prisoner 
unlocked  his  shackles  with  an  awl,  drove  them  out,  and  then  replaced  the 
irons  on  his  legs  as  usual.  Toward  spring  he  grew  uneasy,  and  as  court 
was  about  to  convene  he  told  his  entertainers  his  health  was  failing,  and 
was  afraid  they  VI  have  to  part,  so  removing  his  shackles  in  their  absence, 
he  left. 


THE  HOPKINS  TRAGEDY. 

Among  the  mysterious  tragedies  occasionally  enacted  where  human 
life  is  taken  without  apparent  cause,  and  no  clue  left  by  which  to  appre- 
hend and  punish  the  perpetrators,  the  killing  of  Thomas  Hopkins  and  his 
young  and  beautiful  wife,  in  the  town  of  Granville,  .on  July  6,  1867, 
stands  out  as  a  marked  and  remarkable  occurrence. 


288  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Thomas  Hopkins,  aged  twenty-five,  and  his  wife,  aged  about  fifteen  or 
sixteen  years,  were  the  victims  of  as  terrible  a  fate  as  fiends  in  human 
form  could  devise.  To  obtain  any  certain  clue  by  which  to  track  the 
murderers  baffled  the  skill  of  the  sharpest  detectives,  and  to  this  day  the 
perpetrators  have  never  been  brought  to  justice. 

Hopkins  was  the  son  of  a  farmer  living  near  LaSalle,  but  had  aban- 
doned the  honorable  occupation  in  which  he  had  been  reared,  prefer- 
ring an  idle  life  among  vagabonds  rather  than  the  companionship  of 
reputable  companions.  He  obtained  a  flatboat,  fitted  it  up  as  a  dwelling, 
and  floated  along  the  river,  up  and  down  between  Hennepin  and  Peru  or 
LaSalle,  loading  his  craft  with  driftwood,  and  supplying  himself  with 
other  conveniently  reached  property,  with  little  regard,  it  is  said,  to  any 
rights  of  ownership  save  that  of  possession.  In  one  of  his  trips  he  became 
acquainted  with  a  girl  named  Sophia  Baker,  a  rather  pretty  young  lady, 
inclined  to  idleness,  whose  parents  lived  not  far  from  the  river  in  the  town 
of  Granville.  She  was  attending  school  at  the  time,  and  quit  it  one  day  to 
marry  Hopkins.  They  had  been  married  but  a  few  weeks,  and  little  was 
known  of  their  conjugal  life.  At  the  time  of  the  murder  their  floating 
home  was  moored  in  the  river  a  few  miles  below  Peru,  near  the  Granville 
side,  and  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Putnam  County. 

A  man  named  Sherman,  the  last  person  known  to  have  seen  this  ill- 
fated  couple  alive,  stated  that  he  visited  them  in  the  evening  of  the  night 
of  the  murder  to  deliver  a  load  of  wood  and  a  sack  of  flour,  which  latter 
Mrs.  Hopkins  took  from  his  hands.  He  left  them  apparently  cheerful  and 
happy,  with  everything  about  the  boat  seemingly  in  good  order,  and  the 
table  spread  for  supper.  Returning  next  morning,  he  found  Hopkins' 
body  in  the  water  at  the  side  of  the  boat,  in  a  standing  position,  the  head 
beneath  the  surface.  Near  by  a  sand-bag  club  was  found,  but  no  marks  of 
violence  were  discernible  upon  the  corpse.  The  table  was  spread  as  he 
had  seen  it  the  evening  before ;  there  was  no  evidence  of  confusion,  scuf- 
fling, or  acts  of  violence  such  as  the  forcible  removal  of  one  or  two  persons 
from  so  small  a  room  would  have  caused.  There  was  no  torn  clothing, 
no  blood  stains,  no  marks  of  violence,  nor  the  slightest  indication  of  any 
other  persons  than  the  victims  having  been  present.  Nothing  had  been 
disturbed ;  their  personal  effects,  and  such  articles  of  merchandise  as  Hop- 
kins had  supplied  himself  with  in  his  trading  expeditions  were  all  there, 
and  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  were  found  in  the  dead  man's  pockets. 
Mi's.  Hopkins  was  strangely  absent.  Upon  their  accustomed  hook  were 


LYNCH   LAW   AMONG   THE   PIONEERS.  289 

found  her  bonnet  and  shawl,  and  it  was  evident  she  had  either  made  a 
singularly  hurried  flight  or  been  very  cunningly  abducted. 

The  news  of  the  murder  soon  attracted  the  people  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  prompt  efforts  were  made  to  sift  the  mystery.  Some  one  had 
heard  the  voice  of  a  woman  screaming  during  the  night,  the  sound  appar- 
ently coming  from  a  short  distance  down  the  river,  but  as  boats  often 
passed  with  drunken  men  and  abandoned  women  on  board,  no  heed  was 
paid  to  the  circumstance.  A  watchman  at  the  mills  at  Hennepin,  "  when 
he  came  to  think  of  it,"  was  certain  he  heard  a  woman's  voice  about  day- 
light of  the  fatal  morning,  calling  piteously  for  help,  and  simultaneously 
a  boat  was  seen  by  him  floating  down  stream  near  the  opposite  bank. 
The  country  turned  out  and  searched  everywhere,  and  at  length,  three 
days  afterward,  the  body  of  the  poor  woman  was  found  on  a  bar  below 
Hennepin,  about  nine  miles  from  where  her  husband's  boat  was  moored. 
Beside  a  few  slight  scratches  on  her  neck,  which  might  have  been  caused 
by  accident,  no  marks  of  violence  nor  evidence  of  ill-usage  were  discovered 
upon  her  person. 

T^HE  RAMSAY  TRAGEDY. 

Sometimes  by  a  persistent  and  long-continued  defiance  of  piiblic  opin- 
ion a  bold  villain  exasperates  a  community  past  endurance,  until  scorning 
forms  of  law,  and  the  law's  delay,  they  sweep  all  aside,  and  taking  the 
culprit  in  hand  exact  justice,  deep,  terrible  and  lasting.  The  instinct  of 
self-preservation  may  justify  such  a  resort,  but  nothing  else,  though  there 
are  seemingly  times  when  the  enormity  of  the  crime,  the  danger  of  escape, 
or  the  degraded  character  of  the  criminal,  make  the  invokers  of  Judge 

Lynch  at  least  pardonable. 

One  of  the  early  settlers  of  Granville  Township  was  John  C.  Ramsay, 
who  lived  on  the  bottoms  of  the  Illinois  River  north  of  the  village.  HP  is 
remembered  as  a  good  neighbor,  but  not  one  with  whom  a  person  cared  to 
be  too  intimate,  and  outwaidly  sustained  a  character  for  morality,  sobriety 
and  industry.  He  was  circumspect  in  language  and  deportment,  was  a 
member  of  the  Church,  an  attendant  upon  its  meetings  and  a  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Sabbath  School.  His  prayers  were  long ;  he  dwelt  much  on 
youthful  follies  and  had  little  charity  for  those  who  went  astray.  To 
some  he  seemed  a  regular  pillar  of  light  and  a  shining  example  for  sinners 


290  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

to  pattern  after,  yet  there  were  those  who  believed  all  this  was  a  mask 
to  cover  deep  purposes,  and  beneath  a  saintly  exterior  he  concealed  the 
wickedness  of  a  devil  incarnate. 

Reports  had  gone  abroad  of  strange  goings  on  about  his  secluded  home. 
Property  mysteriously  missing  had  been  tracked  towards  his  saintly  dom- 
icile, and  rumors  were  afloat  that  his  family  relations  were  not  strictly 
angelic.  After  a  time  his  wife  died  suddenly,  and  no  one  coiild  tell  how  - 
it  occurred  save  that  she  was- found  dead  in  the  smoke-house.  Her  deeply 
afflicted  spouse  related  to  the  jury,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  that  she  went 
there,  locked  herself  in,  and  was  found  dead.  As  the  smoke-house  could 
only  be  locked  on  the  outside,  the  jury  coiild  not  see  how  a  dying  person 
could  affect  it ;  but  any  attempt  to  get  him  to  explain  away  this  absurdity 
caused  the  poor  man  to  relapse  into  paroxysms  of  grief  that  were  simply 
dreadful.  As  the  jury  found  no  signs  of  poison,  or  blows,  or  violence, 
the  twelve  wise  men  looked  grave  and  in  effect  pronounced  the  cause  of 
her  death  unknown. 

Affairs  went  on  as  before  at  his  exceedingly  pious  dwelling,  and  the 
people  continued  to  lose  property  and  wonder  why  it  was  thus.  Stories 
again  got  afloat  of  a  terrible  nature,  some  perhaps  "  o'er  true  "  and  others 
highly  imaginative.  It  was  said  he  had  debauched  his  own  daughters, 
murdered  their  unnatural  off  spring,  robbed  his  neighbors,  and  though  his 
children  were  all  cognizant  of  the  facts,  such  was  their  fear  of  him,  none 
dare  make  it  known. 

Affairs  finally  reached  a  crisis.  There  was  a  rebellion  at  home,  and 
the  ghastly  secrets  could  no  longer  be  concealed. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  1870,  Esq.  Childs,  living  at  Granville,  was  noti- 
fied by  A.  J.  Carroll,  Constable,  that  Ramsay  had  been  caught  stealing 
goods,  and  an  excited  mob  had  gone  to  wreak  summary  vengeance  upon 
the  perpetrator.  Mr.  Childs  went  down  to  Ramsay's  dwelling,  where 
he  found  a  crowd  of  men  rehearsing  his  crimes.  The  old  man  had 
gone  to  Peru,  and  his  family  had  determined  on  his  return  to  effect  his 
arrest.  The  Justice  questioned  the  inmates,  and  Mi's.  Patterson  with 
many  tears  told  the  stoiy  of  her  degradation.  From  a  child  she  had  been 
compelled  by  threats  and  punishments  to  submit  to  his  lusts,  nor  did  they 
cease  after  marriage  with  her  husband.  Her  health  had  been  wrecked, 
her  life  embittered,  her  home,  which  she  dare  not  leave  made  a  hell  of. 
Then  the  younger  daughter  told  her  pitiful  tale.  If  possible  it  was  more 


A   MONSTER   IN   HUMAN   FORM.  291 

harrowing  than  her  sisters.  She  too  had  been  compelled  through  fear  of 
her  life  to  submit  to  his  desires,  and  when  she  rebelled  had  been  whipped 
nearly  to  death,  with  dreadful  threats  that  it  would  be  worse  if  she  dared 
reveal  the  awful  secret. 

As  the  law  required  that  two  justices  should  attend  the  preliminary 
examination,  Thomas  Ware  was  notified  and  requested  to  give  his  imme- 
diate attention,  so  that  the  matter  might  be  disposed  of  before  the  fast 
gathering  crowd  took  it  out  of  their  hands.  They  were  soon  ready,  arid 
when  Ramsay  returned  the  warrant  was  read,  court  convened,  and  the 
witnesses  for  the  State  were  asked  to  come  forward  and  be  sworn.  Up 
to  this  time  Ramsay  had  shown  an  air  of  bravado,  but  when  his  daughters 
appeared  his  courage  failed,  for  he  saw  the  game  was  up.  His  crimes  had 
run  their  course  and  reached  the  inevitable  end  when  concealment  was  no 
longer  possible.  His  victims  were  his  equals  now,  and  his  brutality  was 
no  longer  feared,  his  presence  no  longer  inspired  terror.  He  saw  the 
odds  were  against  him,  and,  changing  tactics,  said  he  would  waive  an 
examination  and  enter  into  bonds  for  his  appearance. 

His  intentions  probably  were  to  compel  the  witnesses  to  deny  in  court 
all  previous  assertions,  and  secondly,  if  this  failed,  to  forfeit  his  bail,  take 
vengeance  on  those  who  had  thwarted  his  plans,  and  leave  the  country. 
The  Judges,  after  consultation,  fixed  the  bail  at  $5,000, 

To  this  Ramsay  strongly  protested,  for  he  foresaw  he  must  go  to  jail, 
and  his  chances  for  vengeance  and  escape  would  be  greatly  lessened.  In 
the  meantime  events  outside  were  transpiring  which  excited  the  fast  gath- 
ering crowd  to  frenzy. 

The  story  of  his  crimes  was  repeated  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  as  the 
stricken,  helpless  wretches,  the  victims  of  his  lust  and  brutality,  were 
pointed  out,  deep  oaths  were  registered  that  found  dread  fulfillment. 

One  of  the  sons  told  how  his  father  had  been  stealing  the  grain,  cattle 
and  hogs  of  his  neighbors,  compelling  his  family  to  assist  when  necessary. 
For  years  they  had  lived  in  deadly  fear,  and  he  added,  "  if  father  goes  to 
the  penitentiary  for  this,  one  of  us  will  die  when  he  gets  out,  for  he  will 
kill  me  or  I  must  him." 

It  was  charged  too  that  Ramsay  had  purposely  burned  his  own  barn 
to  secure  the  insurance,  and  worse  than  all,  he  had  murdered  their  mother, 
compelling  her  children,  who  were  unwilling,  witnesses  of  the  act,  to  re- 
main silent. 


292  KECOfcDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

A  warrant  for  his  committal  to  jail  was  made  out  and  banded  to  the 
officer.  Ramsay,  at  first  so  unwilling  to  go,  was  now  anxious,  for  a  look 
at  the  dark  faces  about,  convinced  him  his  safety  was  inside  of  strong 
walls  where  he  could  not  be  reached,  and  signifying  his  readiness  to  go 
begged  Mr.  Childs  to  accompany  him.  The  latter  at  first  refused,  but 
yielded  to  the  request,  and  along  with  the  Constable,  the  prisoner  and 
Mr.  D.  Ham  got  into  a  buggy  and  started.  It  was  now  about  seven 
o'clock  p,  m.  The  crowd  had  pretty  much  all  left,  a  cheerful  circumstance 
to  the  prisoner  as  he  viewed  it,  but  one  not  without  serious  apprehension 
to  the  officers. 

The  party  drove  about  a  mile  at  a  brisk  trot,  on  the  road  to  Hennepin, 
when  suddenly  about  fifty  masked  men  appeared,  and  with  weapons  drawn 
demanded  a  halt.  Ramsay  was  taken  out,  his  hands  tied,  and  he  was  told 
if  he  had  any  prayers  to  make  now  was  the  time,  for  his  stay  on  earth 
was  short. 

Evidently  he  was  too  dazed  to  comprehend  the  situation,  and  believed 
their  intention  was  to  extort  a  confession  and  compel  him  to  leave  the 
countiy.  A  rope  was  placed  around  his  neck,  and  at  the  words  "hang 
him"  a  violent  jerk  was  given  that  lifted  him  from  his  feet,  when  it 
either  broke  or  was  cut  and  let  him  down.  For  the  first  time  he  felt  that 
things  were  serious,  but  no  signs  of  repentance  came.  He  still  thought 
to  deceive  by  an  assumption  of  the  piety  that  had  befriended  him  so  long, 
and  raising  his  hands  and  eyes  in  a  sanctimonious  manner  he  prayed  with 
the  Savior,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." 

This  blasphemous  appeal  was  all  that  was  needed  to  nerve  his  execu- 
tioners to  duty.  The  rope  was  quickly  re-tied,  and  one  end  being  thrown 
over  the  limb  of  a  tree,  fifty  strong  arms  raised  the  trembling  wretch 'and 
left  him  hanging  by  the  neck  until  dead. 

After  the  body  had  remained  a  sufficient  time  some  of  the  actors  cut  it 
down,  and  carried  it  home,  tumbling  it  out  in  the  yard,  very  much  as  one 
might  a  dead  hog.  It  was  duly  interred,  but  a  few  nights  later  some  en- 
terprising students  resurrected  the  remains,  and  they  now  ornament  the 
rear  room  of  a  doctor's  office. 

The  hanging  of  Ramsay  created  intense  excitement  and  the  Governor 
offered  a  reward  of  $1,000  for  the  arrest  of  the  perpetrators,  but  no  one 
so  far  as  known,  attempted  to  earn  it.  The  majority  of  the  people,  while 


ANOTHER   VICTIM    OF    THE    RELENTLESS    LYNCH    LAW.  293 

disapproving  the  method,  felt  that  justice  had  been  done  the  criminal 
and  refused  to  assist  in  their  punishment. 

Thus  terminated  the  career  of  as  sanctimonious  a  scoundrel  "as  ever 
stole  the  livery  of  heaven  to  serve  the  devil  in."  as  sleek  and  unctous  a 
villain  as  ever  disgraced  the  human  form. 

The  tree  whereon  he  was  hung  was,  so  long  as  it  remained  standing 
known  as  the  Ramsay  tree,  and  for  years  bore  this  inscription  : 

"  Here  the  carcass  of  Ramsay  lies, 
Nobody  laughs  and  nobody  cries. 
Where  he's  gone  to  none  can  tell, 
But  all  suppose  he's  gone  to ." 

In  1879  it  was  mysteriously  cut  down  and  even  the  roots  dug  out, 
leaving  not  a  vestige  remaining.  By  whom  it  was  done  is  not  known. 
Some  of  his  children  live  in  the  vicinity  and  others  have  gone  west.  The 
girls  were  well  spoken  of  arid  led  reputable  lives. 


LYNCHING  OF  "Jos.  SMITH." 

Prior  to  1858  the  bottoms  of  the  Illinois  River  near  the  County  line, 
in  Grranville  Township,  had  been  infested  by  the  presence  of  "Old  Joe. 
Smith,"  as  he  was  called,  though  not  the  famous  Mormon  Prophet  of  that 
name.  This  particular  member  of  the  multitudinous  family  of  Smith,  was 
a  man  of  exceedingly  vague  notions  as  to  the  right  of  property,  possession 
with  him  not  only  being  the  nine  points  of  th(^  law,  but  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  absolute  ownership !  In  his  peculiar  view  the  manner  of  getting 
possession  was  of  little  consequence;  to  possess  was  to  own,  with  all  the 
term  implies. 

He  was  charged  with  having  long  been  a  thief  on  general  principles, 
and  specifically  a  thief  of  everything  of  a  portable  nature.  He  had  a 
special  propensity  for  cattle  and  hogs,  and  what  was  particularly  aggra- 
vating in  his  conduct  was,  that,  though  a  butcher  who  supplied  the  people 
with  fresh  meat,  he  never  was  known  to  buy  any  cattle.  He  stole  his 
beeves  from  the  farmers,  and  sold  to  them  again  at  full  prices.  He  also 
stole  their  hams,  shoulders  and  poultry.  The  hams  arid  shoulders  from 
neighboring  smoke  houses  found  a  tolerably  secure  place  of  concealment 
in  his  barn,  where,  among  so  many  samples  from  all  over  the  country, 


294  RECORDS    OF    JIIE    OLDEN    TIME. 

individual  property  could  not  easily  be  selected.  His  depredations,  too, 
were  extended  to  neighboring  Counties  and  across  the  river.  He  would 
capture,  also,  newl}^  washed  shirts,  male  and  female  garments,  sheets,  pil- 
low cases,  and  stockings  long  and  short,  masculine  and  feminine !  Farmers 
missed  their  plows  and  harrows,  and  though  tracked  to  Smith's  all  absorb- 
ing ranche,  no  sign  of  them  could  be  discovered  there ! 

At  length  people  became  so  incensed  that  they  determined  to  inter- 
view Smith  and  force  from  him  some  sort  of  explanation  of  the  singu- 
lar spiriting  away  of  their  goods  and  chattels..  Accordingly  a  large 
number  of  farmers,  who  had  been  victims  of  the  aforesaid  Smith,  met  at 
the  domicile  of  the  culprit  and  demanded  certain  goods,  among  them  two 
plows  and  a  harrow,  and  other  articles,  and  no  satisfactory  response  being 
made,  proceeded  to  administer  to  the  reticent  witness  three  separate  and 
distinct  horse-whippings,  well  laid  on !  But  he  would  not  confess,  and, 
despairing  of  such  gentle  means  of  obtaining  information,  a  clothes-line 
was  brought  into  play,  arid  he  was  hung  up  three  times,  the  last  well 
nigh  choking  him  "for  good,"  when  he  yielded  and  told  them  where 
some  of  the  missing  property  could  be  foiind.  From  one  plow  he  had 
taken  the  stock  and  had  it  re-wooded  at  Peru.  Some  of  the  plow  irons 
he  had  burned  so  as  to  prevent  discovery  when  hot  pressed  for  a  safe 
hiding  place ;  others  had  been  buried  and  the  ground  plowed  over  them. 
Some  again  had  been  secreted  in  a  similar  manner  in  the  neighboring 
woods  and  fields,  and  what  was  remarkable  was,  all  the  goods  that  Smith 
had  hidden  were  so  securely  and  cunningly  concealed  that  it  is  doubtful 
if  any  of  them  could  ever  have  been  found  by  any  one  except  himself  or 
"pals,"  unless  by  the  merest  accident. 

He  had  burned  up  clothing,  hams,  smoked  and  dried  meat  to  prevent 
their  discovery.  On  his  confession  and  pointing  out  where  the  articles 
were  hidden,  a  considerable  quantity  of  goods  were  recovered.  .  He  was 
given  a  day  or  two  to  get  out  of  the  county,  a  trip  which  he  made  with 
commendable  speed.  Several  suspected  accomplices,  taking  the  hint,  left 
at  the  same  time,  and  since  then  the  stealing  business  has  had  a  long,  and, 
to  the  people,  most  satisfactory  rest. 


THE  MURDER  OF  DOWHOWER. 

November  22,  1807,  Aaron  Sherman  killed  Samuel  Dowhower,  both 
residents  of  Granville,  iinder  the  following  circumstances : 


LOST    ON    A    TRACKLESS    PRAIRIE.  295 

The  two  named  and  a  Mr.  Wedgewood  had  been  to  Peru,  and  on  their 
way  home  fell  into  a  quiind,  which  aided  in  Sherman  being  ejected  from 
the  wagon.  The  latter  swore  revenge,  and  going  to  the  home  of  a  Mr. 
Walker,  borrowed  a  gun,  with  which  he  hurried  to  the  dwelling  of  Dow- 
liower.  It  was  night  and  the  family  had  retired.  He  rapped  at  his  vic- 
tim's door,  and  Mrs.  Dowhower  arose,  lighted  a  lamp,  and  opened  it.  Dow- 
hower had  previously  told  her  of  his  quarrel  with  Sherman,  and  as  the 
knock  was  heard,  exclaimed,  "There  he  is  now!"  Dowhower  went  to 
to  the  door  and  was  instantly  shot  dead. 

Sherman  was  tried,  convicted  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  twenty- 
five  years.  He  served  about  five  years  and  was  pardoned  out  by  the  Gov- 
ernor. It  afterward  transpired  that  the  principal  getter  up  of  these 
petitions  was  hired  to  obtain  them  and  paid  liberally  for  the  service;  and 
it  is  also  charged  that  influential  names  on  the  petition  were  placed  there 
by  others  than  themselves.  Sherman  went  out  West,  and  is  said  to  be 
now  living  in  Texas. 


LOST  ON  THE  PRAIRIE. 

The  following  incident,  which  happened  in  1829,  will  bring  to  the 
recollection  of  old  settlers  many  similar  experiences,  doubtless,  of  which 
they  were  personally  cognizant : 

In  November  of  that  .year  Jeremiah  Strawn  and  three  others,  after- 
wards residents  of  Magnolia  Township,  traveled  from  the  "Wabash 
country  "  westward,  heading  for  Putnam  County.  They  had  no  map  of 
the  route,  and  there  was  practically  neither  roads  nor  trail,  so  that  when 
they  lost  sight  of  the  settlements  they  were  as  much  at  seja  as  if  sailing  in 
the  broad  Atlantic.  Strawn  had  traveled  over  a  portion  of  the  route, 
understood  the  topography  of  the  country  in  general,  and  believed  that 
by  travelling  due  West  they  would  strike  the  Illinois  River.  They  were 
provided  with  a  pocket  compass  and  a  small  supply  of  provisions. 

For  twenty  miles  or  more  traveling  was  passable,  but  here  they  struck 
one  of  those  vast  sloughs  for  which  the  country  is  noted,  and  came 
to  a  halt.  Far  as  the  eye  could  see  the  country  was  one  vast  sheet  of 
water,  whose  depth  none  of  them  knew.  Hoping  to  "head  it  off"  they 
traveled  northward  some  miles  without  success,  and  then  retraced  their 


29(5  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TLAIE. 

steps  south,  until  despairing  of  finding  a  passage,  they  returned  to  their 
resting  place  of  the  night  before. 

In  the  morning  they  took  a  new  direction  toward  the  south-west,  fol- 
lowing an  old  buffalo  trail  all  day,  and  at  night  coming  upon  a  party  of 
Kickapoo  Indians  destitute  of  supplies. 

The  travelers  were  without  provisions,  their  horses  jaded  and  worn 
down,  and  the  grass  all  dead.  The  Indians  could  speak  but  little 
English,  but  they  pointed  to  a  certain  star  in  the  north-west  and  indicated 
that  a  white  man  lived  there,  and  with  this  vague  direction  the  wanderers 
resumed  their  journey.  One  man  was  to  watch  the  star  and  see  that 
their  direction  did  not  vary.  After  some  hours  of  travel  it  grew  cloudy, 
and  fearing  the  direction  might  be  lost,  they  concluded  to  encamp.  The 
night  was  bitterly  cold,  and  to  keep  from  freezing  they  beat  down  the  tall 
grass  and  ran  foot  races.  In  the  morning  they  took  their  bearings  with 
the  compass  and  found  they  had  become  completely  turned  about.  They 
now  resumed  their  journey,  plodding  wearily  along  all  day  with  nothing 
to  eat.  Late  in  the  afternoon  they  were  delighted  with  the  sight  of  a 
settler's  cabin.  The  inmates  had  corn  and  pork,  and  the  wayfarers  had 
to  pound  the  former  and  wait  for  its  cooking  before  their  hunger  was  sat- 
isfied, but  all  agreed  in  pronouncing  it  the  best  meal  they  ever  ate.  After 
a  while  the  owner  came  in  with  a  fat  deer,  and  insisted  upon  their  eating 
again,  to  which  they  readily  assented.  They  remained  all  night,  and  the 
next  morning  were  directed  on  their  roiite,  reaching  their  destination  with- 
out further  adventure. 


ANECDOTES,  INCIDENTS,  AND  MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 

Granville  was  a  popular  stopping  place  on  the  underground  railroad 
for  colored  men  and  women  who  were  seeking  to  free  themselves  from  the 
galling  chains  of  bondage.  The  people  generally  sympathised  with  them, 
and  if  there  were  any  who  were  not  active  in  aiding  the  fugitives  forward, 
they  remained  neutral.  On  one  occasion  as  many  as  sixteen  negroes  were 
seen  in  the  village  at  one  time,  having  come  in  on  the  "night  accommoda- 
tion train."  They  had  made  their  way  from  St.  Louis  without  money  or 
molestation. 

In  1835  two  negro  women,  who  were  pursued  by  their  owners  and 


ACTIVE    SYMPATHY    FOR    FUGITIVE    SLAVES.  297 

were  likely  to  be  captured,  were  hidden  in  the  cellar  of  James  T. 
Laughlin's  house  (where  S.  Harrison  now  lives),  and  there  remained  a 
night  and  a  day.  The  weather  was  exceedingly  stormy  and  cold,  and  the 
pursuers  were  kept  in  a  continual  dance  from  one  place  to  another  on 
false  scents  and  rumors,  until  they  were  nearly  dead  from  fatigue  and  ex- 
posure. The  citizens,  while  pretending  to  help  the  confiding  slave-catch- 
ers, were  deluding  them  all  the  time,  and  the  fellows  finally  gave  up  their 
job  and  returned  home.  Of  course  the  poor  fugitives  were  sent  in  the 
opposite  direction  as  fast  as  possible,  until  they  were  safe  among  the 
friendly  Canadians. 

Harvey  B.  Leeper  was  a  veiy  active  conductor  on  this  underground 
road,  and  a  well  known  citizen  of  Granville,  who  devoted  much  of  his 
time  and  means  to  the  cause  of  freedom. 

The  massacre  of  the  Hall  and  Pettigrew  families  has  been  referred  to 
before.  They  had  lived  in  Bureau  County,  not  far  from  Hennepin,  and 
when  they  were  on  their  way  in  1830  to  their  proposed  new  home  at  Fox 
River,  passing  through  Granville,  they  stopped  several  weeks  at  the  resi- 
dence of  George  Ish,  and  enjoyed  his  hospitality.  It  was  during  this  visit 
that  William  Pettigrew  courted  and  won  the  hand  and  affections  of  Mrs. 
Campbell,  a  young  and  handsome  widow  living  in  the  neighborhood.  A 
wedding  day  having  been  appointed,  invitations  were  sent  in  to  the  neigh- 
bors to  come  and  assist  at  the  festivities.  They  came,  and  a  good,  jolly, 
old-fashioned  time  they  had,  and  many  were  the  wishes  made  for  the  fu- 
ture welfare  and  happiness  of  the  newly  married  pair. 

The  bride  accompanied  her  husband  to  their  new  home,  where  we  may 
imagine  their  lives  passed  like  those  of  most  other  settlers  in  a  new 
country.  But  this  happiness  was  not  to  be  of  long  continuance.  About 
two  years,  after  they  had  reached  their  new  home  the  Indian  war  broke 
out,  and  they  were  barbarously  murdered  as  related  in  the  story  of  the 
Hall  family. 

The  saloons  of  Peru  have  been  hotbeds  of  vice,  prolific  of  crimes  whose 
consequences  were  severely  felt  in  Granville  Township.  It  is  safe  to  assert 
that  scarcely  an  outrage  mentioned  as  occurring  here  but  had  its  incep- 
tion in  some  'quarrel  instigated  by  poor  whisky,  or  the  perpetrators  were 
habitual  drinkers  whose  supplies  came  from  over  the  liver.  There  be- 


298  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

ing  no  saloons  in  the  Township,  they  must  necessarily  come  from  else- 
where, and  in  Peru  they  were  mainly  obtained.  In  addition  to  the  long 
series  of  crimes  already  scored  to  this  cause  must  be  added  the  Gallaher 
homicide  and  the  killing  of  De  Long.  This  latter  occurrence  took  place 
about  1 844  or  later.  De  Long  and  a  brother-in-law  named  Osborne  were 
returning  from  a  turkey-raffle  at  Peru,  where  both  had  imbibed  freely, 
and  was  into  a  qiiarrel  in  which  De  Long  got  badly  cut,  and  died  a  few 
days  after.  Osborne  was  arrested  and  placed  in  jail,  but  managed  to 
escape  and  was  never  seen  in  the  country  again. 

In  June,  1866,  Mt.  Pleasant  was  the  scene  of  a  most  dastardly  out- 
rage.  A  sprightly  young  German  girl,  whose  name  it  is  not  necessary  to 
give,  had  been  for  s..me  time  employed  in  the  family  of  a  man  named 
Droll,  also  a  German.  She  was  an  unusually  bright  young  woman,  and, 
besides  being  a  neat  housekeeper,  had  a  general  business  turn,  which  made 
her  useful  to  her  employer  as  an  accountant.  He  was  not  much  of  an 
English  scholar,  but  had  considerable  business  with  his  Yankee  neighbors, 
and  her  services  were  indispensable  as  an  interpreter.  Mr.  Droll  had  two 
daughters,  one  older  and  one  younger  than  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  but 
they  took  no  particular  interest  in  their  father's  business,  and  neither  had 
the  will  or  ability  to  learn  it,  and  left  it  all  to  the  servant,  who  managed 
everything  in  her  own  way.  She  was  the  good  genius  of  the  household, 
and  the  family  felt  for  her  all  the  regard  they  could  for  a  sister. 
Although  quite  pretty,  she  was  not  infatuated  with  the  young  men  who 
sought  her  company,  and  seemingly  found  more  pleasure  in  attending  to 
business  affairs  than  in  their  conversation.  On  the  occasion  referred  to, 
at  the  hour  of  midnight  the  Droll  family  were  awakened  by  an  alarm  at 
their  door,  Avhich  the  old  man  answered.  He  found  there  a  man  whom 
he  did  not  recognize,  and  who  told  him  there  was  something  wrong  at  the 
barn  with  the  horses,  and  to  come  and  see.  Droll  went  with  him.  No 
sooner  had  he  reached  the  barn  than  a  handkerchief  was  forced  into  his 
mouth  and  he  was  tied  to  the  manger.  The  girl,  hearing  an  unusual 
noise,  came  out  in  her  night  clothes  to  see  what  was  the  matter,  when  she 
was  seized,  gagged  and  put  into  a  wagon,  which  was  driven  off  to  the 
prairie.  There  were  seven  or  eight  persons  engaged  in  this  infamous  pro- 
ceeding, but  being  unable  to  speak,  and  in  great  fear  of  her  life  and  of  a 
fate  more  to  be  dreaded  by  a  pure  woman  than  death,  she  could  but  weep 


A  DASTARDLY  AND  CAUSELESS  OUTRAGE.  209 

in  silence.  About  two  miles  from  the  village,  in  a  south-westerly  direc- 
tion, the  wagon  was  stopped;  the  crowd  of  ruffians  gathered  around  the 
terrified  girl,  cut  off  her  hair,  removed  her  from  the  wagon,  stripped  her 
of  her  scanty  garments  and  deliberately  covered  her  body  with  tar  and 
feathers. 

This  infamous  performance  having  been  completed,  though  shocking 
in  itself,  was  a  relief  to  the  mind  of  the  poor  girl,  since  it  assured  her 
her  that  only  this  indignity  was  in  store  for  her.  When  these  cowardly 
scoundrels  had  finished  their  valorous  performance  they  got  into  their 
wagon  and  drove  off.  Covered  with  feathers  and  without  clothing,  at  a 
dead  hour  of  the  night,  two  miles  from  any  house,  the  villains  left  her, 
gagged  and  insensible.  How  long  she  lay  thus  is  not  known,  but  the  bit- 
ter cold  restored  her  senses,  and  after  several  hours'  wandering  about  she 
reached  the  house  of  a  kind  neighbor,  who  cared  for  her  distresses. 

The  terrified  old  man  after  some  delay  was  able  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  his  family,  and  was  released.  The  abduction  of  the  girl  was  not 
known  until  they  went  to  her  room  to  tell  about  the  strange  event.  The 
astonishment  of  the  household  knew  no  bounds  when  her  absence  was  dis- 
covered. 

In  the  morning  a  messenger  came  for  the  girl's  clothes,  and  when  the 
story  of  her  wrongs  became  known  the  people  were  justly  indignant  and 
excited.  As  soon  as  she  was  sufficiently  recovered  from  the  shock  she 
went  before  Esquire  Laughlin  to  tell  all  she  knew  which  might  throw 
light  upon  the  matter  and  lead  to  the  arrest  of  the  wretches.  But  her 
evidence  was  insufficient.  They  had  not  spoken  a  word,  and  of  course  she 
could  not  identify  them  by  their  voices.  There  was  nothing  by  which  they 
couldfbe  distinguished,  or  that  gave  her  the  slightest  clue  to  the  cause  of  tiie 
fearful  indignity.  Mr.  Droll  and  his  wife  and  daughters  came  and  bore 
witness  to  the  uniform  good  conduct  of  the  girl.  They  had  known  her 
from  childhood,  and  for  years  she  had  been  an  inmate  of  their  family,  and 
during  all  that  time  she  never  had  in  the  slightest  degree  departed  from 
the  strictest  rules  of  propriety,  nor  in  any  way  deviated  from  the  most  ex- 
acting laws  of  correct  deportment  or  maidenly  modesty.  She  was  a  model 
of  frankness,  diligence,  good  sense  and  excellent  temper.  Her  conduct 
toward  young  men  had  been  extremely  reserved;  in  fact,  she  had  avoided 
rather  than  encouraged  their  society.  In  this  latter  fact  there  seemed  the 
only  possible  clue  to  the  mystery.  Was  it  possible  that  certain  young 


300  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

men  whose  advances  she  had  met  with  indifference  or  coldness,  and  whose 
addresses  she  had  refused,  could  have  committed  this  dastardly  outrage 
in  revenge  ?  Inquiry  around  the  neighborhood  satisfied  Mr.  Laughlin 
that  none  of  the  American  or  Irish  boys  of  the  settlement  were  absent 
from  their  homes  on  the  night  in  question,  but  there  were  a  few  young 
Germans  who  could  not  or  would  not  explain  their  absence  from  their 
beds  at  about  the  time  when  the  wrong  was  being  perpetrated.  These 
fellows  were  promptly  arrested,  and  several  long  and  tedious  trials  re- 
sulted, but  there  not  being  sufficient  evidence  against  them  to  convict, 
they  were  all  acquitted. 

The  young  woman  continued  to  live  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Droll  and 
manage  their  affairs  as  usual  for  some  time  after  this,  until  she  married  a 
respectable  young  man  living  in  a  neighboring  county,  where  she  yet  lives, 
respected  by  all  who  know  her.  The  affair  is  only  remembered  as  one  of 
those  outrages  which  innocent  people  sometimes  suffer,  and  for  the  per- 
petration of  which  the  guilty  escape  richly  merited  punishment. 

t 

One  of  the  denizens  of  the  settlement  about  Granville  was  a  Mrs. 
Cresswell,  a  virago  of  Amazonian  strength  and  warlike  propensities.  She 
was  the  governor  of  her  household,  her  husband  meekly  accepting  the 
second  position  in  family  affairs.  She  "wore  the  pants,"  not  only  figura- 
tively, but  literally,  being  frequently  seen  dressed  in  her  meeker  half's 
unmentionables,  astride  an  old  horse,  going  to  market.  She  made  her 
thoroughly  subdued  husband  cook,  wash,  iron  and  do  the  housework, 
while  she  bossed  the  outside  of  the  ranche  to  suit  herself.  Besides  other 
eccentricities,  she  was  a  sort  of  "yarb  doctor,"  and  pretended  to  know 
many  hidden  virtues  in  various  barks,  weeds,  roots  and  flowers,  and  is 
accredited  with  having  first  introduced  "  gympson  weed"  into  the  country. 
Her  nag  usually  wore  a  bell,  and  its  familiar  tinkle,  indicating  her 
approach  to  the  village,  repressed  all  unnecessary  gaiety  and  subdued  any 
approach  to  merriment,  for  the  masculine  members  shared  with  her  timid 
spouse  a  well  guarded  respect  for  her  muscular  arms  and  number  ten 
boots. 

On  one  occasion  Mr.  Wafer  and  James  Laughlin  desired  to  cross  her 
field,  it  being  the  shortest  route  to  their  destination,  and  asked  permission 
as  gently  as  possible,  but  the  female,  with  arms  akimbo,  gave  a  fierce  re- 
fusal. They  held  a  council  of  war,  and  concluded,  as  the  case  was  urgent, 


INCIDENTS    AND   MISCELLANEOUS.  ITEMS.  301 

to  force  their  way,  while  she  brandished  a  formidable  bunch  of  "fives"  and 
dared  them  to  come  on.  The  battle  began,  one  of  the  men  attacking  in 
front  while  the  other  by  a  flank  movement  reached  the  rear,  and  grasp- 
ing her  arms,  held  them  as  in  a  vice  while  his  companion  let  down  the 
bars,  and  driving  the  team  through,  replaced  them  and  signalled  his  com- 
rade, who  then  turned  and  ran.  Our  informant  avers  the  magnitude  of 
her  curses  has  ever  since  prevented  anything  but  the  detested  gympson 
weed  from  growing  on  the  spot. 

One  of  the  early  settlers  was  John  Robinson,  an  old  Indian  hunter, 
who  is  known  to  have  lived  here  in  1828.  He  was  a  keen  sportsman,  and 
very  successful.  During  the  Indian  troubles  he  refused  to  go  into  a  fort, 
and  so  remained  in  his  cabin,  sleeping  at  night  with  arms  by  his  side. 
No  Indian  came  to  claim  his  scalp.  He  was  an  original  genius,  and  when 
asked  how  long  he  had  lived  in  the  State,  said  it  was  so  long  he  couldn't 
tell,  but  when  he  came  the  Illinois  was  only  a  small  brook. 
»  Another  well  known  citizen  was  George  Ish,  who  originally  settled 
in  Peoria  County.  He  was  an  old  Indian  fighter  in  the  war  of  1812,  when 
he  served  under  General  Harrison. 

The  ability  of  the  aborigines  to  withstand  cold  is  shown  in  an  incident 
related  by  Mi1.  Ish.  During  the  severe  winter  of  1830  there  came  to  his 
father's  cabin  a  squaw,  nearly  perishing  with  cold.  She  was  taken  in, 
and  such  restoratives  as  were  handy  applied  until  her  half  frozen  members 
were  thawed  out  and  the  circulation  restored.  Although  solicited  to  re- 
main all  night  she  refused,  and,  soon  as  able,  re-mounted  her  pony  and 
proceeded,  although  the  atmosphere  was  such  that  a  white  man  could  not 
travel  without  risking  his  life. 

Mrs.  Gunu  tells  that  when  they  came  to  the  country,  ten  men,  women 
and  children  wintered  in  a  cabin  twelve  feet  square,  and  did  n't  feel  partic- 
ularly crowded! 

Here  Mr.  Gunn  came  in  search  of  a  wife,  and  pleasantly  recalls  their 
Cv)urting  "under  difficulties."  But  where  there  's  a  will,  woman's  wit  will 
find  a  way,  and  a  private  parlor  was  improvised  by  hanging  a  quilt  across 
one  corner. 

Mr.  Willis  finding  himself  "  out  of  meat"  once,  undertook  to  go  after 


802  KECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

supplies.  His  trip  was  made  in  a  dugout,  and  he  had  to  go  somewhere  in 
the  vicinity  of  Beardstown.  It'took  a  month'  to  make  the  trip,  and  when 
he  returned  the  family  had  been  on  short  rations  for  a  week. 

In  183(>-7,  when  paper  towns  were  springing  up  all  over  the  State, 
certain  individuals  laid  out  the  town  of  Barcelona,  along  the  eastern  limits 
of  Granville.  A  hotel  was  contracted  for,  and  a  steam  mill  was  to  be 
built,  but  nothing  ever  came  of  the  enterprise. 

The  early  settlers  lived  on  plain  food,  and  had  plenty  of  exercise. 
They  dressed  plainly,  kept  regular  hours,  abstained  from  excesses,  and  as 
a  rule  enjoyed  good  health.  The  exception  to  this  was  the  fever,  that 
"  smote  them  by  day  and  wasted  them  by  night.  From  this  there  seemed 
no  escape  except  to  wear  it  out.  Large  families  were  the  rule,  and  the 
cabin  that  could  not  show  its  round  half  dozen  or  more  of  tow-headed 
boys  and  girls  was  an  exception.  The  farmers  returns  in  the  field  were 
not  more  regular  than  the  periodical  yield  of  the  cradle.  Occasionally  the 
measles  or  some  such  disease  "  got  loose "  in  a  family  and  created  an 
unusual  demand  for  catnip  tea  and  other  medicinal  herbs.  Once  the 
measles  got  -into  the  family  of  Hugh  Wanock,  and  a  commiserating  neigh- 
bor inquiring  how  many  were  "down"  was  answered,  "only  twelve  of  the 
youngest." 

It  was  the  custom  in  varly  days  for  farmers  to  exchange  work  during 
haying,  harvest  and  other  heavy  labor.  In  estimating  such  labor,  a  day's 
work  was  counted  equal  to  two  bushels  of  wheat. 

Wheat  in  those  early  days  was  frequently  hauled  to  Chicago  by  horse 
or  ox  teams,  and  the  price  was  as  low  as  37^  to  44  cents.  Then  calicos 
at  Hennepin  were  worth  31  to  37|  cents  per  yard ;  eggs  3  cents  per  dozen; 
butter  0  cents  a  pound ! 

The  settlers  did  not  regard  times  as  desperate  or  hard  in  any  sense. 
They  had  plenty  to  eat  and  wear,  and  little  need  of  money.  People  were 
were  healthy,  hearty  and  happy. 

The  strange,  wild  beauty  of  the  prairies  will  never  be  forgotten.  They 
were  one  vast  parterre  of  flowers,  changing  their  hues  each  month  of  the 
season.  In  the  fall  great  fires  swept  them  over,  leaving  only  a  blackened 
waste,  but  still  sublimely  beautiful.  Upon  the  prairies  of  Granville  deer 
were  plenty,  and  were  sometimes  seen  in  great  droves  or  nocks  like  cattle 


INCIDENTS    AND    MISCELLANEOUS   ITEMS.  303 

or  sheep.     They  were  not  much  hunted,  and  wonld  come  near  the  wood- 
chopper  and  visit  the  feeding  places  of  the  cattle. 

Wolves,  the  pests  of  the  barn-yard  in  winter,  were  numerous.  Now 
and  then  they  were  run  down  on  horseback  and  killed,  but  not  often,  as 
it  was  a  difficult  job  and  worth  a  good  horse's  life  to  attempt  it,  for  the 
wolf  is  long-winded  and  very  difficult  to  capture  in  this  way.  Many  good 
horses  were  ruined  in  attempting  it. 

During  the  cold  winters  they  became  ravenous  for  food  and  would 
come  to  the  very  doors  of  the  cabins  in  quest  of  it.  They  would 
visit  men  chopping  in  the  woods,  coming  so  close  that  they  could  almost 
strike  them  with  their  axes. 

The  Indian  had  a  superstitious  dread  of  prairie  wolves,  and  did  not 
molest  them,  but  would  kill  the  timber  species  because  they  scared  their 
ponies,  and,  when  occasion  permitted,  destroyed  their  young  colts. 

Snakes  were  abundant  everywhere,  and  the  venomous  rattlesnake  was 
justly  dreaded.  Mr.  Gunn  once  found  one  coiled  beneath  his  chair,  which 
had  crept  into  the  house  unobserved.  It  was  despatched,  and  the  next 
day  its  mate  was  discovered  and  killed  near  the  same  place.  These  rep- 
tiles always  go  in  pairs,  and  when  one  is  killed  its  mate  invariably  seeks 
it.  Deer  are  the  deadly  foes  of  snakes,  and  a  citizen  describes  the  killing 
of  one  east  of  the  village  of  Granville.  He  was  traveling  the  road,  when 
he  saw  a  group  of  deer  seemingly  greatly  excited,  and  striving  to  stamp 
something  beneath  their  feet.  They  would  go  off  a  few  steps  and  then 
return,  striking  viciously  and  rapidly  with  their  fore  feet.  The  traveler 
watched  the  performance  until  it  closed,  and  on  going  to  the  place  found 
a  large  yellow  rattlesnake  cut  to  pieces  with  their  sharp  hoofs. 

The  Indians  never  fed  their  ponies,  that  white  men  knew  of.  These 
little  beasts,  no  matter  how  long  they  had  been  used,  would  be  turned 
out  at  night  to  skirmish  around  for  food  among  the  dead  leaves  and  hazle 
twigs  as  best  they  could. 

Previous  to  the  winter  of  the  great  snow,  opossums  were  veiy  numer- 
ous, but  that  year  they  nearly  all  died  off,  and  not  for  riiany  years  after 
did  they  become  plentiful.  The  somewhat  unpopular,  but  pretty  and 
sometimes  highly  perfumed  Mephitis  Americanus,  or  skunk,  was  no 
stranger,  but  was  found  in  the  swamps,  timber,  and  on  the  prairies,  and 
the  traveler  on  horseback  was  frequently  glad  to  give  the  saucy  little 
white-necked,  black-eyed,  bushy-tailed,  odoriferous  creature  not  only  the 
whole  road,  but  several  rods  margin  beside. 


304  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Another  animal  often  seen  was  the  badger,  as  pugnacious  and  full  of 
fight  when  cornered  as  to-day.  Mr.  Ish  describes  a  combat  he  once  saw 
between  a  sow  and  one  of  these  fellows;  in  which  the  sow  got  decidedly 
worsted. 

No  coal  has  been  found  in  Putnam  County,  and  probably  from  the 
character  of  the  formation  none  exists  in  the  vicinity  of  Hennepin,  as  the 
limestone  formation  which  is  reached  near  the  surface  and  has  been  bored 
to  the  depth  of  800  feet  precludes  the  idea.  But,  toward  the  eastern 
limits,  on  the  prairies  at  Tonica,  and  in  the  country  south  and  south-west 
is  found  this  useful  product,  garnered  in  nature's  storehouse  for  man's 
future  use,  and  as  the  surface  and  character  of  the  earth  so  far  as  tested 
are  exactly  similar  to  the  coal  region  immediately  adjoining,  there  is  no 
reason  to  doubt  but  that  a  stratum  of  coal  xinderlies  both  Granville  and 
Magnolia. 


LA  PRAIRIE. ILL. 


ORGANIZATION    OP   MARSHALL    COUNTY.  307 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

ITS    ORGANIZATION. 

r 

»HE  increase  of  population  after  the  war  was  rapid,  and  by  the 
close  of  1837  there  were  large  and  flourishing  settlements 
in  various  localities,  and  the  question  of  forming  new  coun- 
ties and  county  seats  was  sharply  discussed. 

The  people  hereabout  were  clamorous  for  a  county  of 
their  own.  Lacon,  Henry  and  Webster  were  looming  up  as 
future  cities,  and  numerous  towns  with  high-sounding  names 
had  been  built — on  paper!  Such  as  Troy  City,  Lyons, 
Chambersburg,  Auburn,  Bristol,  Dorchester,  etc.  Robert's 
Point,  Strawn's  Woods,  Round  and  Half  Moon  Prairies  were — for 
those  times,  populous  fanning  sections.  A  few  farms  here  and  there 
dotted  'the  vast  prairies  on  the  west  of  the  Illinois,  and  the  territory  that 
aspired  to  become  a  separate  county  had  a  population  of  1,500  people. 

A  colony  of  energetic  people  from  Ohio  had  settled  in  Lacon  in 
1836,  and  at  once  gave  the  infant  town  a  surprising  "boom,"  to  use  a 
phrase  then  unknown. 

January  13,  1838,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Lacon  and  vicinity  was 
called,  ostensibly  to  nominate  candidates  for  legislative  honors,  but  really 
to  form  a  new  county.  Colonel  Henderson,  of  Spoon  River,  having  been 
previously  sounded  and  found  to  be  "  solid "  for  the  scheme,  was  recom- 
mended to  the  voters  as  a  man  ''of  ability  and  integrity,"  and  he  was 
named  for  Representative ;  and  John  Hamlin,  also  known  to  be  right  on 
the  all-absorbing  question,  was  recommended  for  the  Senatorship. 

Doctor  Effner,  Ira  I.  Fenn  and  Jesse  C.  Smith  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  act  and  correspond  as  might  be  necessary  in  forwarding  the 
objects  of  the  meeting. 

The  gentlemen  composing  the  meeting  knew  that  the  county  question 


308 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


would  be  unpopular  with  their  neighbors  in  the  vicinity  of  Hennepin,  and 
also  along  the  line  of  Tazewell  County,  whose  interests  would  be  antago- 
nistic to  the  proposed  dismemberment,  hence  a  "  still  hunt "  in  the  prem- 
ises was  deemed  best.  The  people  of  Tazewell  getting  wind  of  the 
scheme,  and  discovering  that  two  of  their  townships  were  coveted  by  the 
"  Laconites,"  called  a  meeting  "for  the  purpose  of  consulting  on  the  best 
means  to  prevent  the  citizens  of  Putnam  County  from  curtailing  our 
county  on  the  north."  Learning  this,  the  Lacon  committee  shrewdly  dis- 
claimed any  such  intention ! 

The  vote  of  Lacon  Precinct  went  almost  to  a  man  for  Colonel  Hender- 
son, who  felt  under  obligations  to  return  favors  to  his  enthusiastic  and 
warm  supporters.  The  local  press  —  even  that  of  Hennepin — favored  the 
project,  as  many  of  the  people  there  feared  they  would  lose  the  county 
seat  if  the  proposed  division  was  not  made. 

Petitions  were  circulated  and  numerously  signed  praying  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  County  of  Marshall.  They  were  presented  December 
10,  1838,  by  Colonel  Henderson,  at  once  acted  upon,  a  bill  reported  two 
days  afterward,  and  by  January  19  became  a  law. 

Three  days  afterward,  petitions  for  the  formation  of  Stark  County 
came  in,  also  numerously  signed  by  Hennepin  people.  So  eager  were 
they  to  save  their  county  seat  that  they  consented  to  the  loss  of  almost 
the  entire  county.  The  act  fixed  the  boundaries  as  at  present,  except  that 
it  did  not  include  the  townships  of  Evans  and  Bennington,  then  a  portion 
of  La  Salle ;  but  the  law  was  afterward  amended  to  include  them,  pro- 
vided the  people  therein  were  willing.  They,  however,  refused,  and  it 
failed;  but  under  an  act  approved  March  1,  18 — ,  they  yielded,  and  the 
towns  named  were  duly  annexed  to  Marshall  County. 

The  Commissioners  designated  by  law  to  select  the  county  seat  were : 
D.  G.  Salisbury,  of  Bureau ;  Wm.  Ogle,  of  Putnam,  and  Campbell  Wake- 
field,  of  McLean  County.  They  came  into  court  and  reported  that  "they 
had  examined  the  different  proposed  sites  for  the  seat  of  justice  in  Mar- 
shall County,  taking  into  consideration  the  convenience,  and  the  situation 
of  the  settlements  with  an  eye  to  future  population  of  the  place  to  be 
chosen.  Lacon  possessed  the  natural  advantages  of  location,  and  all 
other  requisites,  and  they  had  accordingly  chosen  this  town  as  the  seat 
of  justice  of  Marshall  County.  They  also  reported  that  they  had  se- 
lected Lots  three,  four  and  five,  in  Block  forty-five,  as  the  ground  for 
a  Court  House  and  other  buildings;  also,  that  the  proprietors  of  the 


FIRST  ELECTION   OF   COUNTY   OFFICERS. 


309 


town  had  donated  said  lots  to  Marshall  County,  giving  their  notes  and 
bonds  in  the  sum  of  $5,000  to  the  County,  payable  in  equal  instal- 
ments of  $1,666.66,  in  six,  twelve  and  eighteen  months  from  date,  with 
interest.  The  men  who  executed  these  notes  were :  Wm.  Fenn,  Samuel 
Howe,  Elisha  Swan,  Ira  I.  Fenn,  Jonathan  Babb,  Robert  Boal,  Wm. 
Fisher  and  George  Snyder. 

TOPOGEAPHICAL. 

Marshall  County,  as  at  present  constituted,  consists  of  eight  full 
townships  of  six  miles  square  each,  viz:  Bennington,  Evans,  Belle  Plain 
and  Roberts  on  the  east,  and  La  Prairie,  Saratoga  and  Whitefield  west  of 
the  Illinois  River.  The  others,  made  more  or  less  fractional  by  the  wind- 
ing of  the  river,  are  Hopewell,  Lacon,  Henry  and  Steuben. 

The  river  bottoms  are  from  three  to  five  miles  wide.  The  bottom 
land  is  remarkable  for  its  richness  of  soil,  and  some  exceedingly  profitable 
f arms  are  to  be  found. 

The  chain  of  hills  bounding  the  west  of  the  valley  are  full  of  ex- 
cellent coal,  obtained  by  drifting  into  the  bluffs,  and  supplies  the  wants 
of  the  people  of  the  villages  and  farmers  on  the  prairies  with  fuel  at  very 
low  rates. 

The  law  fixed  the  25th  of  February,  1839,  as  election  day,  to  choose 
the  new  county  officers. 

George  Snyder,  Esq.,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Lacon  Precinct,  gave 
the  notices  fifteen  days  before  the  event,  and  candidates  swarmed  around 
the  polls.  There  were  twenty-eight  worthy  gentlemen  who  were  willing 
to  sacrifice  themselves  upon  the  altar  of  their  country, —  to  hold  different 
offices,  eight  of  whom  wanted  to  be  Sheriff. 

The  candidates  chosen  were:  Elisha  Swan,  William  Maxwell  and 
George  H.  Shaw,  County  Commissioners;  Wm.  H.  Effner,  Probate  Jus- 
tice; Chas.  F.  Speyers,  Recorder;  Silas  Ramsey,  Sheriff;  Anson  L.  Dem- 
ing,  Treasurer ;  A.  S.  Fishburn,  County  Clerk ;  Geo.  F.  Case,  Coroner  ; 
and  Jordan  Sawyer,  Surveyor. 


COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS'  COURT. 

The  Governmental  history  of  the  new  County  is  best  told  in  the  rec- 
ords of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  which,  before  township  organi- 
zations, supplied  the  place  of  the  present  Board  of  Supervisors. 


310  RECORDS  OE  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

The  first  acts  of  the  members,  whose  first  meeting  was  at  the  house  of 
John  D.  Coutlett,  March  2,  1839,  was  to  look  to  the  credentials  of  the 
various  officers,  and  see  that  bonds  required  were  satisfactory ;  after  which 
the  county  was  divided  into  election  districts,  as  follows : 

No.  1.  La  Fayette  Precinct. — All  that  part  of  Marshall  County  west 
of  the  Illinois  River,  south  of  the  line  of  Townships  Nos.  12  and  13. 

No.  2.  Henry  Precinct. — All  of  the  County  west  of  the  river,  and 
north  of  the  line  of  the  towns  above,  adjoining  La  Fayette  Precinct ;  vot- 
ing place  at  the  house  of  Elias  Thompson. 

No.  3.  Lacon  Precinct. — All  the  County  east  of  the  river,  and  west 
of  Ranges  Nos.  1  and  2,  west  of  the  3d  principal  meridian;  elections 
to  be  held  at  the  County  Clerk's  office. 

No.  4.  Lyons  Precinct. — All  east  of  the  dividing  line  of  Ranges  1  and 
2 ;  elections  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  W.  B.  Green. 

The  County  was  also  divided  into  fourteen  road  districts,  and  three 
days'  road  labor  required  of  every  able-bodied  man  subject  to  such  duty 
by  law.  George  H.  Shaw  was  appointed  a  commissioner  to  receive  the 
money  due  Marshall  County  from  the  Internal  Improvement  fund,  which 
the  State  had  appropriated  to  Putnam  County  in  1837.  The  proportion 
due  Marshall  was  $3,290.00,  with  interest.  John  Wier  was  appointed 
School  Commissioner,  and  gave  bonds  in  the  sum  of  $10,000.  For  want 
of  better  accommodations,  the  Circuit  Clerk,  County  Commissioners'  Clerk, 
County  Recorder,  and  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace,  were  obliged  to  hold 
their  offices  in  one  room,  in  a  building  owned  by  Elisha  Swan,  who  was 
limited  in  his  charges  to  a  rental  not  exceeding  $75  per  annum. 

The  Commissioners  voted  themselves  $2.50  per  diem,  and  the  Clerk 
$2.00;  and  they  allowed  Coutlett  $2.00  for  the  use  of  his  house  and  fire- 
wood for  four  days,  which  would  strike  the  reader  as  being  reasonable. 
The  pay  of  jurymen  was  fixed  at  75  cents  per  day  and  "find  themselves." 

Among  the  first  things  to  claim  the  attention  of  the  Board  was  the  lay- 
ing out  of  new  roads,  and  by  their  orders  the  present  highway  from  Lacon 
to  Spoon  River  wa,s  laid  out  June  3,  1839,  and  the  same  month  the 
"  State  Road  "  was  located  through  the  eastern  part  of  Marshall ;  and  also 
a  road  through  the  towns  of  LaPrairie  and  Saratoga ;  likewise  others.  The 
sum  of  $50  was  appropriated  for  improving  a  "slew"  near  Lyons ;  a  like 
sxim  to  be  expended  near  Owens'  Mills,  on  Crow  Creek,  and  $100  to  be 
expended  on  the  road  from  Lacon  to  Wyoming. 

In  June,  1839,  the  home  Board  began  to  indulge  in  luxuries,  and  or- 


ATTEMPT  TO  IMPEACH  COUNTY  CLERK  SHANNON. 


311 


dered  six  chairs  and  a  map  of  the  State,  at  a  total  cost  of  $9.00.  They 
were  bought  of  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.  They  also  invested  $1.75  in  a  Bible, 
on  condition  the  seller  threw  in  an  ink  stand  and  sand  box.  A.  N.  Ford 
flies  a  bill  for  printing  to  the  extent  of  $2.00.  Dr.  Boal  asks  permission 
to  run  a  ferry,  which  is  granted  on  condition  that  he  pay  a  fee  of  $15.00, 
which,  in  September,  was  cut  down  to  half  that  sum. 

The  flrst  County  Clerk  elected  by  the  people  was  James  M.  Shannon. 
He  was  a  man  of  fair  education  and  excellent  qualifications  for  the  place. 
He  filled  the  office  until  March,  184 5,  when  his  habits  became  objectionable 
and  could  be  no  longer  tolerated.  He  was  complained  of  by  information 
signed  by  two  of  the  County  Commissioners,  of  habitual  intoxication," 
using  abusive  language,  and  insulting  the  Court  in  open  session. 

In  June,  1845,  the  information  filed  came  up  for  examination.  The 
Commissioners  tried  it  before  themselves — Shannon,  the  defendant,  as 
well  as  the  complainants,  appearing  by  attorneys.  They  refused  to  grant 
the  accused  a  change  of  venue,  or  to  sustain  a  plea  as  to  their  own  juris- 
diction, and  saw  no  impropriety  in  trying  a  case  before  themselves  brought 
by  two  of  their  own  number,  a  majority  of  the  Court.  After  hearing  the 
evidence,  they  "bounced"  the  bibulous  clerk  and  appointed  David  David- 
son, June  3,  1845. 

Long  and  tedious  proceedings  followed,  Shannon  having  appealed  to  the 
Supreme  Court  for  a  hearing.  During  the  trial  at  Ottawa,  many  wit- 
nesses were  compelled  to  attend,  costing  the  County  several  hundred  dol- 
lars. 

In  the  mean  time  Shannon  had  gone  before  the  people  with  his  griev- 
ances, and  petitions  circulated  everywhere  in  the  county  to  "  re-onstate " 
him  were  numerously  signed  and  laid  before  the  Board,  of  which  that  tri- 
bunal took  no  notice.  The  fall  election,  however,  settled  the  whole  mat- 
ter, for  the  people  re-elected  Shannon  by  a  triumphant  majority.  He  held 
the  office  until  December  20,  1845,  and  then  handed  in  his  resignation, 
which  was  filed  December  30. 

His  successor  was  Samuel  C.  Cochran,  who  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  and  at  the  next  election  was  chosen  t  j  that  office  by  the  people. 

In  June  1847,  Cochran  resigned,  and  Silas  Ramsey  was  appointed.  He 
was  afterward  elected  by  the  people.  He  held  the  office  until  1849,  when 
he  became  County  Judge,  and  Washington  E.  Cook,  Clerk. 

In  1839,  the  total  tax  levied  was  $875,  and  of  this  sum,  Silas 
Ramsey,  who  was  both  Sheriff  and  Collector,  raised  $787.12,  showing  him 


312  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

to  have  been  a  very  efficient  officer.  Forty  cents  on  each  one  hundred  dol- 
lars valuation  was  the  sum  assessed  for  county  purposes. 

In  June  1840,  the  general  census  was  taken,  and  Sanrnel  Howe  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  enumerator.  He  was  a  well  known  Aboli- 
tionist, and  his  appointment  drew  from  one  of  the  Commissioners  the  fol- 
lowing spirited  protest : . 

"The  undersigned  being  opposed  to  the  principles  avowed  by  modern 
Abolitionists  for  the  immediate  emancipation  of  the  slaves  of  the  United 
States,  do  hereby  enter  my  solemn  protest  against  the  appointment  of  Sam- 
uel Howe  as  Commissioner  to  take  the  census  of  Marshall  County,  on  the 
ground  that  said  Howe  is  in  favor  of  immediate  emancipation  of  the  slaves 
aforesaid.  ELISHA  SWAN." 

In  September,  1840,  David  Myers  brought  into  Court  certain  papers 
and  a  small  amount  of  silver  found  in  the  purse  of  an  unknown  man  who 
died  at  his  house,  and  claimed  $15.00  for  his  care  and  burial,  which  was 
allowed. 

About  this  time,  also,  Geo.  F.  Case  was  allowed  $14.00  for  holding  an 
inquest  on  the  body  of  James  McBride. 

William  Fisher  was  allowed  at  the  same  time,  $8.50  for  paper  and 
quills, —  steel  pens  not  having  been  introduced. 

March  2,  1841,  Joseph  Burr  was  licensed  to  keep  a  feiry  at  Henry, , 
and  the  license  was  fixed  at  $2.00. 

In  March,  too,  Anson  L.  Deming  resigned  the  office  of  Treasurer.  He 
had  received  and  paid  out  during  his  term  $931.43,  all  of  which  save 
$40.00  was  in  County  orders.  The  account  was  closed  thus:  "Com- 
missions, $38.80;  balance,  $1.20.  This  sum  was  found  to  be  safe,  and 
was  duly  turned  over  to  his  successor,  Lundsford  Broaddus. 

Putnam  County,  up  to  this  date,  had  not  paid  over  the  internal  im- 
provement fund  quota.  Edward  Jones,  Esq.,  of  Tremont,  Tazewell 
County,  was  appointed  to  prosecute  and  collect  the  money,  March,  1841. 

In  September  of  this  year,  William  Fenn  was  directed  to  see  about 
putting  up  lightning-rods  on  the  Court  House.  He  had  them  made  at 
home,  by  blacksmiths,  and  the  job  cost  $53.96. 

Up  to  1845  there  had  been  no  jail,  and  prisoners  had  to  be  guarded 
at  the  cost  of  the  County.  Thus  we  find  a  man  named  Andrew  Zellar  had 
been  guilty  of  larceny,  and  bills  were  allowed  as  follows :  Jesse  Oran, 
guarding  Zellar  twenty-four  hours,  $1.00;  George  Durat,  forty-eight  hours, 


THE  COUNTY  REVENUE  FROM  TAXES.  313 

$2.00;  J.  O'Connel  twenty-four  hours,  $1.00;  Sam'l  B.  McLaughlin,' 
twenty-four  hours,  $1.00;  J.  W.  Bettis,  committing  Zellar  and  guarding 
him,  $2.00.  After  getting  him  in  some  sort  of  a  place,  they  had  to  feed 
him,  and  the  bills  were:  $1.75,  $4.06  and  $3.62^.  This,  with  similar 
cases,  awakened  the  Commissioners  to  an  appreciation  of  the  needs  of  a 
good  jail,  and  we  find  them  debating  it  soon  after. 

All  efforts  to  compel  Putnam  County  to  pay  over  the  funds  she  held 
belonging  to  Marshall,  it  seems,  failed,  and  the  latter  paid  her  attorneys 
in  the  case,  Messrs.  Fenn  &  Peters,  one  hundred  dollars. 

Lundsford  Broaddus,  in  June,  1842,  resigned  the  office  of  County 
Treasurer,  and  Hezekiah  S.  Crane  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

In  1841  the  tax  levy  was  fifty  cents  on  each  one  hundred  dollars  of 
valuation.  The  Commissioners  appear  to  have  gone  into  the  "furnishing" 
business,  and  the  records  show  this  entry:  "Addison  Ramsey  is  allowed 
$3.00  for  a  pair  of  pants  furnished  the  infamous  Andrew  Zellar."  The 
next  year  the  assessment  system  was  changed,  and  Peter  Temple,  for 
assessing  the  whole  county,  was  allowed  $104. 

James  Hoyt  was  the  Assessor  for  1843.  State  bank  paper  had  suf- 
fered a  sad  depreciation,  and  the  Treasurer  refused  to  receive  it.  He 
was  ordered  to  take  it  at  fifty  per  cent  discount,  and  give  tax-payers 
the  benefit  of  "  the  rise." 

In  June,  1843,  Sampson  Rowe  was  licensed  to  keep  a  ferry  at  Henry, 
by  paying  the  usual  license  of  $2.00. 

Sandy  Precinct,  a  new  election  district,  was  organized  this  session,  and 
elections  fixed  at  the  house  of  Enoch  Dent. 

Town  29,  Range  1  west,  and  29,  Range  1  east  was  organized  into  an 
election  precinct,  and  Pierce  Perry's  house  designated  as  the  voting  place 
thereof. 

Wm.  Maxwell  was  re-elected  County  Commissioner  in  August,  1843, 
and  Levi  Wilcox,  Treasurer.  James  Hoyt  assessed  the  county  this  year 
for  $57.50. 

C.  F.  Speyer,  Recorder  of  Deeds,  resigned  June,  1844,  and  County 
Clerk  Shannon  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  books  and  papers  of 
the  office  till  further  orders. 

C.  S.  Edwards  was  again  re-elected  a  Commissioner  in  August,  1844, 
and  Levi  Wilcox  assessed  the  county  for  $11 6. 

Doctor  Boal  was  again  granted  a  license  to  run  a  ferry  at  Lacon,  he 
paying  the  usual  fee. 


314 


RECORDS    Ot     THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


In  March,  1844,  a  petition  was  presented  asking  the  coiinty  to  pur- 
chase the  Lacon  ferry,  signed  by  Silas  Ramsey  and  a  number  of  promi- 
nent citizens,  but  for  some  reason  this  sensible  project  was  abandoned 
and  the  petition  withdrawn. 

In  March,  1846,  $300  was  appropriated  by  the  County  Commissioners 
to  build  an  embankment  through  the  sloughs  from  Lacon  ferry  to  Spar- 
land,  on  condition  that  the  citizens  would  contribute  $400  in  addition  for 
the  same  purpose,  and  F.  D.  Drake  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  to  ex- 
pend the  money  and  superintend  the  work. 

In  March,  1846,  the  town  of  Lyons,  near  where  Varna  is  now,  was 
dropped  from  the  Assessor's  books  and  assessed  as  lands. 

Thomas  Grallaher,  who  had  transcribed  such  of  the  records  at  Henne- 
pin  as  related  to  Marshall  County,  was  allowed  $250  for  the  work,  the 
books  having  been  received  and  approved. 

In  this  year  the  ferry  at  Lacon  passed  into  the  hands  of  Wm.  Fisher 
&  Co.,  who  were  licensed  to  run  it  upon  payment  of  $15.00. 

The 'cost  of  assessing  the  county  in  1844  was  $150. 

December  8,  1845,  Richard  Vinecore  made  application  for  license  to 
keep  a  groceiy  in  a  brick  building  opposite  the  Lacon  House.  "  The 
Court,  taking  into  consideration  the  subject  of  said  application,  and  be- 
lieving that  'groceries'  are  not  conducive  to  the  public  good,  reject  the 
application!"  was  the  discouraging  result  of  this  petition. 

In  June,  1847,  David  M.  Robinson  was  allowed  $14.00  for  boarding 
Thomas  Dobson,  accused  of  and  in  custody  for  the  killing  of  Hollenback. 

In  September,  1847,  Richard  Vinecore  came  again  with  his  grocery 
petition,  and  met  with  better  luck,  being  allowed  to  run  his  proposed 
saloon  for  $40.00  per  year  license. 

In  June,  1848,  a  standing  reward  of  fifty  dollars  was- offered  for  the 
apprehension  of  all  horse-thieves  escaping  from  the  County. 

In  December,  1849,  under  a  new  law  Silas  Ramsey  was  elected  County 
Judge,  and  Thomas  Cowan  and  J.  W.  Bettis  Associate  Justices  of  the 
Peace;  "Washington  E.  Cook,  County  Clerk;  Abram  Wall,  School  Com- 
missioner; Resin  B.  Rogers,  Treasurer. 


NEW  TOWNSHIPS. 

In  March,   1850,   the  new  law,  providing  for  township  organization 
took  effect,  and  Samuel  Camp,  Addison  Ramsey  and  Nathan  Patton  were 


ORGANIZATION    OF    TOWNSHIPS. 

appointed  Commissions  to  divide  the  territory  into  convenient  townships, 
which  they  did  as  follows: 

Congressional  Town  30,  Range  1  west,  3d  parallel  meridian,  to  be 
named  Roberts. 

Town  30,  Range  1  east,  3d  parallel  meridian,  Evans. 

Town  30,  Range  2  west,  Hopewell. 

Fractional  Town  30,  Range  3  west,  and  Fractional  Town  29,  Range  3 
west,  Lacon.  , 

Town  29,  Range  2  west,  Richland. 

Town  29,  Range  1  west,  and  Town  29,  Range  1  east,  Belle  Plain. 

Fractional  Town  13,  Range  10  east,  4th  parallel  meridian  and  road 
on  the  east  side  of  the  line  leading  from  the  ferry  in  said  town,  and  here- 
tofore held  by  the  County  of  Putnam,  Henry. 

Town  13,  Range  9  east,  4th  parallel  meridian,  and  Town  13,  Range  8 
east,  same  parallel  meridian,  Whitefield. 

Town  12,  Range  8  east,  4th  parallel  meridian,  Fairfield. 

Town  12,  Range  9  east,  4th  parallel  meridian,  Steuben. 

The  law  provided  that  in  selecting  the  names  for  towns  under  the 
township  organization  law,  that  the  Commissioners  should  avoid  getting 
the  names  of  towns  in  other  counties,  and  as  "Fail-field"  had  been 
adopted  numerously  elsewhere,  County  Judge  Ramsey  changed  "  Fair- 
field,1'  the  first  choice  of  the  people  of  that  region,  to  "  La  Prairie,"  their 
second  preference. 

The  first  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Marshall  County  met  at  the  Court 
House  in  Lacon,  November  11,  1850.  There  were  present:  Theodore 
Perry,  Henry  Snyder,  John  B.  White,  Chas.  S.  Edwards,  James  Gibson, 
Albert  Ramsey,  Reiiben  F.  Bell,  Win.  Maxwell,  Amasa  Garrett,  George 
W.  Bettis. 

Saratoga  was  set  off  in  September,  1855,  and  Bennington,  Dec.  1 7,  1856. 

Greenberry  L.  Fort  was  chosen  Messenger  of  this  body,  an  office  of  great 
ornament,  which  subsequent  boards  of  supervisors  have  dispensed  with. 

On  motion  of  Edwards,  Wm.  Maxwell  was  chosen  the  first  Chairman. 

In  March,  1851,  Silas  Ramsey,  W.  E.  Cook  and  G.  L.  Fort  were  chosen 
Commissioners  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land  for  a  county  poor  farm. 


EARLY  RECORDS. 

The  first  deed  recorded  in  the  new  Court  was  from  Daniel  Davis  to  Al- 


316  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

exander  Mclntosh,  March  26,  1838,  for  a  piece  of  land  in  Putnam  County. 
The  next,  from  Robert  Bird  and  Rachel,  his  wife,  to  John  Strawn,  August 
15,  1831,  for  a  piece  of  land  in  Columbia  (Lacon),  for  $38;  witness:  James 
Dever  and  John  Kemp ;  before  Colby  F.  Stevenson,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  town  of  Columbia  was  surveyed  by  Colby  F.  Stevenson,  August  6, 
1831,  containing  130  lots,  for  John  Strawn  and  others.  The  first  convey- 
ance of  lots  in  Columbia  was  from  John  Strawn  to  Jesse  Sawyer,  October 
6,  1831. 

The  first  marriages  recorded  are:  David  Gwynn  and  Harriet  Jane 
Martin,  March  10,  1839,  "by  Henry  D.  Palmer,  elder  and  minister  of  the 
Gospel."  The  next  was  Joel  B.  Perkins  and  Margaret  Burt,  by  the  Rev. 
Henry  D.  Palmer,  April  4,  1839 ;  John  D.  Coutlett  and  Sarah  E.  Dever, 
by  Rev.  Zadock  Hall,  April  6,  1839;  Samuel  Mitchell  was  married  to 
Mary  Work,  May  29,  1839,  by  Rev.  James  H.  Dickey. 

The  first  Circuit  Court  in  Marshall  County  began  in  Lacon,  April  23, 
1839.  Thos.  Ford  was  Judge;  James  M.  Shannon,  Clerk;  Silas  Ramsey, 
Sheriff.  It  was  held  in  the  old  Methodist  Church,  long  since  turned  into 
a  mercantile  establishment.  The  first  case  before  the  Court  was  that  of 
Luther  P.  Frost  vs.  Long  <fe  Ramsey,  which  was  dismissed  at  the  plain- 
tiff's cost. 

Another  was  The  People  vs.  Solomon  Brewer,  for  assault  and  battery. 
The  jury,  after  being  out  all  night,  returned  a  verdict  of  "not  guilty." 
Ira  Fenn,  Esq.,  talking  for  the  State,  moved  for  a  new  trial,  but  it  was 
overruled. 

The  Grand  Jury  met  at  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  was  composed  of 
Ira  F.  Lowery,  foreman;  Lewis  Barney,  Joel  Corbett,  Jeremiah  Cooper, 
Allen  N.  Ford,  Chas.  Rice,  Wm.  Gray,  Enoch  Sawyer,  Jonah  D.  Stewart, 
Elijah  Freeman,  Jr.,  Nathan  Owen,  Geo.  Scott,  Sam.  Howe,  Robt.  Ben- 
nington,  John  Bird,  Andrew  Jackson,  Henry  Snyder,  Allen  Hunter. 

No  business  claimed  their  attention,  and  they  were  discharged. 

At  the  next  term,  October,  1839,  a  peddler  put  in  his  appearance  as  a 
defendant  in  a  case  in  which  he  had  been  indicted  for  selling  clocks  with- 
out a  license.  At  that  time  there  existed  a  deeply-rooted  prejudice  against 
Yankee  clock  peddlers,  which  appears  to  have  come  down  to  this  day. 
Besides,  clocks  were  regarded  as  extravagant  luxuries,  the  sun  being  con- 
sidered the  best  regulator  and  indicator  of  time. 

The  peddler,  whose  name  was  Erastus  Higbee,  had  been  jerked  up  and 


ERECTION    OF    COUNTY   BUILDINGS.  317 

accused  of  selling  without  a  license.  He  pleaded  guilty,  was  fined  fifty 
dollars  and  costs,  and  told  to  travel.  And  it  is  on  record  that  he  did 
travel. 

At  the  same  time  Chas.  H.  Bevins  was  indicted  for  larceny,  convicted 
and  sent  to  the  Penitentiary  for  three  years,  being  the  first  convict  from 
Marshall  County. 

The  first  divorce  applied  for  or  granted  was  that  of  Elizabeth  Gibbons 
vs.  James  H.  Gibbons. 

In  the  first  court  docket,  on  a  fly  leaf,  is  written  a  portion  of  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  ending  with  the  word  "trespasses,"  which,  being  a  legal  one,  was 
deemed  a  proper  introduction  to  court  proceedings. 

Thomas  Fitzpatrick  and  Dennis  Daily  were  the  first  foreigners  who 
were  naturalized  in  the  County,  having  been  admitted  to  citizenship  at  the 
April  term  of  the  Circuit  Court,  1840. 

The  first  Circuit  Judges  presiding  here  were  :  Thos.  Ford,  from  1839 
to  1842;  John  D.  Caton,  from  1842  to  1848;  followed  by  T.  L.  Dickey, 
Edwin  L.  Leland,  J.  L.  Richmond  and  John  Burns.  Judge  Richmond 
died  before  the  expiration  of  his  term,  and  Mark  Bangs  was  appointed  his 
siiccessor.  He  was  an  able  and  upright  officer,  and  presided  with  impar- 
tial fairness. 


COURT  HOUSES  AND  JAILS. 

The  Court  House  question  began  to  agitate  the  Court  at  the  first 
meeting  of  that  body,  and  Elisha  Swan  was  directed  to  get  from  the 
"machanicks"  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  building  one,  "say  forty-five 
feet  wide  and  fifty  feet  long,  the  foundation  and  superstructure  to  be  of 
brick."  The  contract  was  awarded  in  December,  1839,  to  Edward  White 
and  Thomas  F.  Shepherd,  and  signed  Jamiary  14,  1840.  The  cost  was 
fixed  at  $8,000.  It  was  to  be  40x55  feet,  two  stories  high.  The  con- 
tractors were  required  to  give  bonds  in  $16,000,  or  double  the  amount  of 
the  cost  of  the  proposed  building. 

In  January,  1840,  they  were  allowed  to  draw,  as  part  payment  on 
their  job,  $5,000  in  county  bonds. 

December  8,  1840,  the  building  was  finished  and  turned  over  to  the 
County,  and  the  additional  bonds  in  payment  therefor  were  issued. 

September  7,  1843,  a  contract  was  entered  into  with  John  Guthrie  to 


818 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


build  a  jail  for  $515,  and  soon  after  Thomas  Weir  became  his  partner  in 
the  work. 

Wm.  A.  and  Elijah  Bird  for  fencing  the  Court  House  received  $52.80, 
and  $6.00  for  making  stiles. 

In  June,  1846,  the  Commissioners  decided  to  erect  a  house  as  a  dwell- 
ing for  the  jailor,  and  advertised  for  bids  for  the  work.  John  M.  Lindley 
obtained  the  contract,  for  $450. 

The  Court  House  caught  fire  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Jan- 
uary 5,  1847,  from  a  defective  flue,  on  the  west  side,  near  the  roof,  and 
was  burned  down,  being  a  total  loss  of  the  building  and  fixtures  in  the 
court  room  as  well  as  below.  The  books  and  papers  and  movable  furni- 
ture were  all  saved. 

Immediately  after  this  event  the  Board  of  Supervisors  met,  and  meas- 
ures for  rebuilding  were  taken.  Fortunately  there  was  an  insurance 
of  $5,000  on  the  old  building,  which  was  at  once  available.  The  old 
material  saved  was  ordered  sold,  and  "W.  E.  Cook  appointed  to  collect  the 
money  and  hold  it  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Board.  To  make  the 
County  secure,  he  gave  bonds  in  the  sum  of  $10,000,  and  in  a  short  time 
reported  every  dollar  on  hand. 

In  the  meantime  the  Board  rented  a  room  from  Mr.  Wm.  Fenri,  at  the 
rate  of  $125  per  annum,  for  county  purposes,  where  the  records  mostly 
saved  were  stored,  and  the  different  officers  quartered  therein. 

Albert  Ramsey,  Theodore  Perry  and  James  W.  Maxwell  were  a  com- 
mittee on  building,  and  soon  as  plans  and  specifications  could  be  prepared, 
the  contract  was  awarded  to  Comegys  &  Bro.,  and  Card  and  Haggard  at 
the  February  session,  1853.  John  W.  Bettis,  Theodore  Perry  and  H.  L. 
Crane  were  appointed  to  superintend  the  work  and  suggest  such  changes 
and  alterations  as  might  be  beneficial  to  the  County. 

The  Building  Committee  reported  the  work  done,  and  the  building  in 
the  hands  of  the  Board  in  November,  1853,  for  which  they  had  paid,  for 
the  original  contract,  $7,050.50;  alterations,  $301.39 — total,  $7,351.89. 

In  September  1856,  the  old  Jail  having  proven  defective  and  inade- 
quate to  the  wants  of  the  County,  H.  L.  Crane,  N.  G.  Henthorn  and  Ed- 
ward White  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  plans  for  a  new  jail  and 
Sheriff's  house. 

In  December,  plans  and  specifications  were  presented  and  bids  invited. 

In  January  1857,  Edward  White  received  the  contract  to  do  the  work 


THE    GROWING    NEEDS    OF    THE    COUNTY. 


3i  n 


for  $12,000,  and  H.  L.  Crane,  K  G.  Henthorn  and  W.  E.  Cook  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  superintend  the  work.  It  was  done  during  that 
spring  and  summer,  and  as  the  records  have  it,  duly  "excepted." 

During  these  years  the  County  east  and  west  was  rapidly  filling  up, 
and  land  was  advancing  in  value.  The  river  afforded  the  only  outlet  for 
the  rapidly  increasing  volume  of  products,  and  enterprising  parties  began 
to  look  for  other  modes  of  transportation. 


320 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE    WESTERN  AIR  LINE  RAILROAD. 

>HIS  once  famous  projected  road  was  to  run  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. ;  thence  across  the  prairies  of 
our  State,  through  Marshall  County  from  Wenona  to  La- 
con,  where  it  was  to  cross  the  Illinois  River ;  thence  west 
to  Wyoming,  Stark  County,  and  onward  over  the  Missis- 
sippi at  New  Boston,  in  a  direct  line  to  Council  Bluffs,  on 
the  Missouri.  It  was  grand  in  its  inception,  but  failed  mis- 
erably in  execution,  and  involved  the  County  and  individ- 
uals in  large  losses,  entailing  debts  not  yet  liquidated. 

Lacon,  in  its  corporate  capacity,  voted  $50,000  in  aid  of  its  construc- 
tion, and  Marshall  County  $100,000,  to  be  invested  in  the  capital  stock  of 
the  road.  The  firm  of  Fisher  &  Co.  subscribed  $10,000,  and  the  sum 
total  swelled  to  large  proportions. 

Much  of  the  credit  of  originating  the  enterprise  and  giving  it  force  is 
due  to  Ira  I.  Fenn  and  Theodore  Perry,  both  at  that  time  citizens  of 
Lacon.  To  give  it  character,  the  Hon.  Robert  Schenck,  of  Ohio,  was 
made  President,  while  Mr.  Fenn  was  elected  Treasurer  and  E.  A.  Whip- 
pie,  Secretary.  The  B  oard  of  Directors  were :  William  Fisher,  Silas 
Ramsey,  S.  L.  Fleming  and  Theodore  Perry. 

The  headquarters  of  the  company  were  at  Lacon,  and  Ira  I.  Fenn  was 
the  principal  worker.  He  had  great  faith  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the 
project,  and  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  interests  of  the  road. 

Work  began  in  1853,  and  in  November  of  that  year  the  Board  of  Su- 
•  pervisors,  carrying  out  the  wishes  of  their  constituents,  caused  the  bonds 
voted  to  issue,  bearing  ten  per  cent  interest,  with  twenty  years  to  run. 
In  the  meantime  there  was  considerable  opposition  manifested,  and  in 
March,  1854,  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  was  ordered  to  withhold  their  deliv- 
ery, the  vote  standing  7  to  3. 

In  December,  1855,  Ira  I.  Fenn,  on  behalf  of  the  Railroad  Company, 
came  before  the  Board  and  demanded  $30,000  worth  of  the  bonds.  A 
lively  fight  resulted,  and  finally  the  subject  was  tabled  till  June,  1856, 


FAILURE   OF   THE   RAILWAY   PROJECT. 


321 


when  a  motion  to  issue  $35,000  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  4  to  8,  but  the  next 
day  reconsidered  and  passed,  6  to  4. 

In  March,  185G,  Fenn  came  again  and  demanded  the  eighth  and  ninth 
installments  of  $5,000  each.  Meantime  an  injunction  had  been  granted 
restraining  the  Board  from  issuing  any  of  the  preceding  amounts. 

In  September,  they  passed  an  order  by  a  vote  of  6  for  and  5  votes 
against,  to  issue  $40,000  of  the  bonds,  requiring  an  indemnity  against  loss 
or  expense  of  exchange  between  Lacon  and  New  York  city,  where  the 
payments  were  to  be  made.  December,  1856,  those  remaining  unsold  were 
ordered  delivered,  and  found  ready  purchasers. 

In  18G1  President  Schenck  was  sent  to  Europe  to  negotiate  for  iron 
and  rolling  stock.  He  was  supplied  with  bonds  of  different  counties  and 
towns,  about  $5,000  worth  of  which  he  hypothecated  before  starting,  to 
raise  money  for  expenses.  "While  there  the  war  broke  out,  and  British 
capitalists  refused  to  invest  money  in  our  "blarsted  country"  in  the 
beginning  of  a  civil  war  the  end  of  which  could  not  be  clearly  foreseen, 
and  Schenck  returned,  to  become  a  Federal  General. 

The  bonds  which  he  had  hypothecated  were  put  up  at  a  forced  sale 
and  advertised  in  the  New  York  papers.  The  conveyance  or  trust  deed 
to  secure  a  loan  was  one  of  those  "cut-throat"  documents  which  give  all 
the  advantage  to  the  money  lender  and  places  the  borrower  completely  at 
his  mercy.  This  intrument  gave  the  trustee  power  to  sell  the  entire  road- 
bed if  the  money  was  not  paid  when  due ! 

Judge  Thompson,  of  Oledo;  Olof  Johnson,  of  Galva;  Wm.  Thomas, 
of  Wyoming,  and  one  or  two  others  living  along  the  line  of  the  road  west 
of  the  Illinois  River,  having  money,  saw  a  chance  for  a  speculation  at  this 
sale.  They  formed  a  sort  of  syndicate,  sent  one  of  their  number  to  New 
York,  and  bought  the  entire  road-bed,  right  of  way  and  everything  it  had 
of  value,  which  they  subsequently  sold  in  parcels  to  suit  customers.  The 
C.,  B.  <fe.  Q.  Company  became  owner  of  most  of  the  line  in  this  State,  and 
afterward  transferred  that  portion  lying  between  Lacon  and  Dwight  to 
the  Chicago,  Alton  and  St.  Louis  Company. 

Judge  Thompson  was  severely  censured  for  this  course,  and  not  long 
after  emigrated  to  California,  where  he  has  since  resided. 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


LACON  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL. 


'ERIVTNGr  its  name  from  the  principal  town  within  its 
borders,  this  township  is  conspicuous  for  its  varied  scenery, 
though  what  resemblance  there  may  be  between  Laconia,  or 
Sparta,  in  ancient  Greece  (from  which  the  town  is  named), 
and  this  division  of  Marshall  County,  topographically  or 
otherwise,  is  not  apparent.  The  surface  is  diversified  by 
hill  and  dale,  prairie  and  woodland.  It  is  about  ten  miles 
in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  at  its  southern  extremity 
near  the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  is  four  miles  wide,  gradu- 
ally diminishing  toward  its  northern  limit.  Across  its  southern  border  runs 
Crow  Creek,  a  deep,  quiet  stream  ordinarily,  but  capable  of  indefinite  ex- 
pansion when  it  spreads  over  almost  the  entire  country. 

The  bluffs  are  picturesque,  and  at  their  base  is  a  valley  affording  good 
pasturage  and  arable  land,  subject  to  occasional  overflow.  The  bottoms 
are  filled  with  ponds,  sloughs,  small  lakes,  and  patches  of  excellent  timber. 
Several  minor  streams  intersect  it  beside  the  first  named,  known  re- 
spectively as  Pigeon  Creek,  Strawn's  Run,  Dry  Run,  etc.,  all  of  them 
flowing  into  the  Illinois. 

A  short  distance  below  the  city  of  Lacon,  the  bluffs  bend  to  the  east- 
ward, leaving  a  prairie  from  two  to  three  miles  in  width.  It  is  on  a 
second  plateau,  or  level,  about  midway  between  the  river  bed  and  the  top 
of  the  outer  bluffs,  and  covered  with  well  tilled  fanns. 

The  soil  is  a  deep  sandy  loam  made,  up  from  the  deposits  of  long  ages 
ago,  but  affords  reasonably  good  crops,  and  is  especially  adapted  to  fruit 
growing  and  vegetables. 

The  bluffs  along  the  eastern  line  of  the  town  and  the  ravines  are  cov- 
ered with  timber,  much  of  it  of  very  fair  quality,  consisting  of  white, 
red,  black  and  bur  oaks,  ash,  hickory  linden  wood,  and  black  walnut. 


LACON —  LOCATION   AND   SURROUNDINGS.,  323 

The  timber  line  extends  from  two  to  three  miles  inland,  and  the 
quality  is  good,  affording  at  this  day  an  abundance  for  fuel  and  building 
purposes. 

Along  the  streams  and  bordering  the  fields  and  roads,  when  allowed  to 
grow,  are  thickets  of  sumac,  crab-apple,  wild  cherry,  paw-paw,  the  bril- 
liant flowered  red-bud,  etc.,  while  in  the  bottoms  of  the  Illinois  is  still  to 
be  found  the  pecan  tree,  bearing  the  delicious  and  peculiarly  American 
nut  of  that  name.  They  are  not  found,  we  are  told,  north  of  the  latitude 
of  Lacon. 

Paw-paws  grew  everywhere  near  the  rivers  or  larger  streams,  and 
were  in  great  request  by  the  Indians  and  some  of  the  whites,  not  all  of 
the  latter  being  able  to  cultivate  a  liking  for  the  extremely  rich  and 
strongly  flavored  fruit. 

The  principal  business  outlets  of  the  township  are  the  river,  the  Chi- 
cago and  Alton  Railroad,  and  the  Bureau  Valley  Branch  of  the  Chicago, 
Rock  Island  and  Pacific  Railroad,  through  its  station  at  Sparland. 


LACON. 

The  first  explorers  who  looked  upon  the  site  of  Lacon  must  have  been 
struck  with  its  singular  beauty  and  the  possession  of  every  requirement 
desirable  in  the  location  of  a  city.  Beginning  at  the  river,  there  was  a 
gradual  rise  for  half  a  mile,  and  then  a  level  prairie  extending  a  mile 
further  to  the  wooded  terrace  beyond.  The  surface  intervening  was 
dotted  with  knolls,  eminences,  and  occasional  miniature  lakes,  since 
drained  or  filled  up.  In  summer  the  prairie  was  one  vast  bed  of  waving 
grass  and  brilliant  flowers,  changing  their  tints  with  each  month. 

Along  the  river's  bank  a  belt  of  oaks,  cottonwood  and  red  maples, 
with  an  inner  lining  of  willows  extended,  through  which,  at  intervals 
glimpses  of  water  were  had,  which  in  the  sunlight  shimmered  like  molten 
silver. 

What  is  now  Water  street  was  covered  with  a  dense  thicket  of  hazle 
brush,  with  here  and  there  a  large  tree.  At  the  upper  end  a  bayou 
opened  into  what  was  afterward  known  as  "Swan's  Basin,"  and  below 
town  a  similar  outlet  gave  egress  to  the  surplus  water  of  the  numerous 
springs  along  the  bank.  A  thicket  of  hazel  brush  covered  the  ground 
where  the  woolen  mill  stands,  and  extended  down  to  the  cemetery;  and 


324  KECOKDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

the  bottom  where  the  old  slaughter  house ,  stood  was  dotted  with  trees 
and  patches  of  plum  and  crab-apple  thickets,  while  Johnson's  grove  ex- 
tended in  the  shape  of  a  V  northward  to  the  Court  House  square.  Scat- 
tering trees  covered  the  bottom  west  of  W.  E.  Cook's,  and  thence  around 
to  the  Benson  (now  Henry  Fisher)  place.  Another  belt  followed  the 
brewery  ravine,  covering  the  ground  where  Hoffrichter's  slaughter  house 
stands,  and  extending  to  the  timber  on  the  bluffs.  All  else  was  prairie, 
covered  in  summer  with  tall  grass  and  gaily  painted  flowers,  where 
the  wild  deer  roamed,  the  wolf  made  his  covert,  the  prairie,  chicken  beat 
his  tattoo  and  called  his  flock  together,  and  each  spring  and  fall  the 
•migrating  duck  and  wild  goose  tarried  for  rest  and  recreation  during  their 
long  voyages  "  from  lands  of  sun  to  lands  of  snow"  on  the  shores  of 
Hudson's  Bay. 

The  setting  of  this  sylvan  picture  on  the  east  was  a  line  of  bluffs  cov- 
ered with  heavy  forest  trees,  unvexed  by  woodman's  ax  and  their  occu- 
pants undisturbed  by  hunter's  rifle.  The  children  of  the  forest  whose 
houses  were  in  the  valley  below  roamed  through  its  leafy  labyrinths,  and 
with  bow  and  spear  stmck  doVn  the  lordly  buck  and  timid  doe.  The 
river  swarmed  with  fish,  the  prairies  and  forests  with  game,  the  earth 
brought  forth  bountifully,  and  the  red  man,  the  only  dweller  unmolested 
for  centuries,  hunted,  fought,  sung  his  death  song  and  died. 

But  a  change  came  over  the  scene.  The  pale  faces  made  their  appear- 
ance and  the  Indian  gave  way  before  the  civilizing  influences  of  whisky 
and  gunpowder. 

The  first  white  man  who  looked  upon  the  site  where  Lacon  stands 
cannot  be  named.  Over  two  hiindred  years  ago  La  Salle  and  his  adven- 
turous companions  explored  the  river  and  built  a  rude  fort  opposite 
Peoria,  where  they  passed  the  winter,  followed  by  Champlam  and  others; 
but  the  thick  fringe  of  trees  that  curtained  the  bank  here,  shut  out  all  view 
from  the  river  and  we  have  no  evidence  of  their  effecting  a  landing. 

Adventurous  trappers  and  land  explorers  undoubtedly  traversed  this 
section,  and  the  Government  surveyors  who  laid  out  the  military  tract 
across  the  river  in  1815—16  probably  came  over  to  view  the  panorama 
spread  before  them  from  the  western  bluffs,  but  the  first  positive  visit  to 
the  place  we  have  record  of  was  by-  John  Strawn  and  a  man  named  Haver, 
in  the  summer  of  1828.  In  the  succeeding  year  Strawn  removed  with  his 
family  to  the  prairie  three  miles  east,  reaching  there  the  21st  day  of  Sep- 
tember. The  country  in  the  vicinity  of  Beardstown  had  been  under  cul- 


LACON LOCATION   AND   SURROUNDINGS.  325 

tivation  several  years,  and  Strawn,  seeing  the  importance  of  laying  in  sup- 
plies for  the  winter,  proceeded  there  on  horseback,  and  chartering  a  keel 
boat,  loaded  it  with  corn,  etc.,  which  was  propelled  up  the  river  and  landed 
near  the  site  of  the  old  mill  below  town,  where  its  contents  were  unloaded 
and  hauled  to  their  destination.  One  pleasant  Sabbath  in  February  of 
that  winter  Kachael  (Mrs.  Bane),  aged  eleven,  and  Mary  Jane  (Mrs. 
Thompson),  aged  nine,  started  unattended,  and  following  the  track  made 
by  the  wagons,  reached  the  river  in  due  time,  and  were  undoubtedly  the 
first  white  females  who  saw  the  place.  A  company  of  Pottawatomie 
Indians  were  camped  in  a  grove  near  where  the  woolen  mill  stands,  and 
looked  curiously  upon  the  pale  faced  squaws,  but  did  not  molest  them. 
A  few  rods  distant  were  a  couple  of  low,  covered  pens  made  of  poles, 
from  which  a  sickening  stench  emanated.  Looking  through  the  crevices, 
the  decaying  remains  of  several  Indians  were  seen  placed  in  sitting  pos- 
tures, with  their  guns  and  blankets  at  their  sides,  ready  for  departure  when  . 
the  Great  Spirit  called.  They  were  the  victims  of  a  drunken  debauch  of  a 
few  days  previous,  in  which  five  persons  were  killed.  The  girls  visited 
the  river  bank,  gathered  a  few  pebbles  as  mementos  of  their  visit,  and 
returned  unmolested,  to  the  great  relief  of  their  anxious  mother,  who 
very  much  feared  she  would  never  again  behold  them. 

The  Legislature  of  1824-5  organized  the  County  of  Putnam,  embrac- 
ing all  the  territory  east  and  north  of  Marshall  to  the  State  line  of  Wis- 
consin, west  to  Warren,  and  thence  southward  105  miles,  covering  aboilt 
11,000  square  miles,  out  of  which  has  since  been  formed  twenty-three  of 
the  richest  counties  in  the  State.  The  County,  however,  was  never 
organized,  the  few  hunters  and  trappers  in  the  territory  caring  little  for 
form,  snd  being,  as  it  were,  a  law  unto  themselves. 

In  18  30-1  Putnam  was  re-organized,  including  in  its  territory  the  pres- 
ent Counties  of  Marshall,  Bureau,  Putnam  and  Stark,  and  Hennepin  made 
the  county  seat.  Settlements  had  already  begun  on  Round  and  Sand 
Prairies,  and  a  few  families  had  opened  farms  in  what  since  became  Rob- 
erts'Township.  Although  the  west  side  was  surveyed  in  1815-16  no 
attempt  at  settlement  had  been  made  up  to  this  time.  In  the  spring  of 
1831  General  Jonathan  Babb  and  Major  Henry  Filler,  of  Somerset,  Ohio 
companions  in  arms  in  the  war  of  1812,  journeyed  on  horseback  from 
Ohio  to  Illinois,  and  visited  the  present  site  of  Lacon,  then  known  as 
Strawn's  Landing.  They  were  struck  with  the  beauty  of  the  place  and 
i  ts  favorable  location  for  a  town,  and  as  the  land  was  coming  into  market 


326  fcECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

in  July,  they  left  with  John  Strawn  a  sum  of  money  to  secure  the  entry 
of  the  fractional  tract  next  the  river,  on  joint  account. 

On  the  18th  of  Jtily,  1831,  the  first  day  of  the  Government  land  sales 
at  Springfield,  Strawn,  in  behalf  of  Babb  <fe  Filler,  entered  the  south-east 
fractional  quarter  of  Section  twenty-six,  in  Township  thirty,  north  of 
Range  three,  west  of  the  third  principal  meridian.  It  embraced  67  15-100 
acres,  being  that  on  which  the  greater  part  of  the  original  town  was  laid 
off.  Strawn  entered  it  in  his  own  name,  for  the  convenience  of  transfer, 
and  with  the  alleged  consent  of  the  other  parties  donated  certain  lots  to 
induce  the  investment  of  capital.  These  transfers  the  parties  refused  to 
confirm,  and  out  of  it  grew  a  long  and  acrimonious  lawsuit,  running 
through  all  the  courts  and  ending  in  the  defeat  of  Strawn.  The  tract  in 
controversy  covered  the  territory  west  of  Washington  street  and  north  of 
the  woolen  mill. 

The  patent  of  the  land  was  not  issued  until  October  27,  1835,  and 
bears  the  signature  of  Andrew  Jackson,  President. 

The  fraction  of  land  below  Second  street  and  west  of  Prairie  was  en- 
tered by  Robert  Bird,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Belle  Plain  Township, 
and  sold  by  him  to  John  Strawn.  The  instrument  of  sale  bears  record  of 
August  15,  1831,  and  was  the  first  deed  recorded  in  Putnam  County. 

The  land  lying  between  Washington  and  High  streets  (80  acres)  was 
entered  by  Morgan  Buckingham,  and  that  lying  between  High  street  and 
the  Barnes  place  (80  acres)  was  entered  by  Isaac  Buckingham,  and  by 
them  transferred  October  2,  1833,  to  Ira  I.  Fenn  for  $2,600.  The  Barnes 
property  (160  acres),  the  Reddan,  Hoffrichter  and  Jahu  Buckingham 
places  were  originally  entered  by  Jacob  and  Frances  Reeder.  South  and 
west  of  this  was  1 60  acres  of  school  lands,  divided  into  ten-acre  tracts,  now 
covered  by  Wilcox's,  Henthorn's  and  Ball's  additions,  Mrs.  Ramsey's 
farm  and  Johnson's  Grove. 

The  town  was  laid  off  in  August,  1831,  and  named  Columbia,  the  sur- 
veys being  made  by  John  Stevenson,  Surveyor  of  Sangamon,  and  Colby 
F.  Stevenson,  Surveyor  of  Putnam  County.  It  was  acknowledged  Au- 
gust 19,  before  Thomas  Gallaher,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Hennepin,  and 
was  the  first  town  plat  recorded  in  Putnam  County. 

It  is  worthy  of  mention  that  at  this  time  a  large  part  of  Northern  Illi- 
nois was  still  a  wilderness.  Six  years  before  a  Mr.  Schoolcraft  traveled 
from  Peoria  to  Chicago  without  finding  a  civilized  habitation  on  the  way. 
Chicago  was  not  laid  off,  though  a  thriving  village  of  forty  or  fifty  houses, 


'  LACON SURVEYED,    CHRISTENED,  STREETS   NAMED.  327 

with  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants  and  five  stores  covered  the  site. 
Peoria  was  a  village  of  some  promise,  and  the  lead  mines  about  Galena 
had  been  worked  for  several  years,  but  the  future  cities  of  Princeton, 
Henry  and  Chillicothe  had  not  a  single  inhabitant. 

About  twelve  miles  eastward  Jesse  Roberts  had  reared  a  cabin  where 
his  son  Livingston  now  lives,  and  Geo.  H.  Shaw  and  Chas.  Edwards  had 
selected  their  future  homes  at  the.  "Point."  A  few  homes  skirted  the 
forest  along  the  edge  of  Round  Prairie,  and  a  single  settler  looked  out 
upon  the  fertile  waste  of  Half  Moon.  Three  and  a  half  miles  east  of  the 
liver  the  hospitable  log  cabin  of  John  Strawn  stood,  with  its  latch-string 
always  outside,  and  upon  the  bluffs  where  they  reside  to-day  stood  the 
cabins  of  Lot  and  Joshua  Bullman,  with  that  of  their  brother-in-law,  Bel- 
tha  Griffith,  hard  by.  On  the  south  came  James  Hall  and  Newton  Reeder, 
who  built  a  little  east  of  the  dwelling  afterward  erected  by  Lundsford 
Broadus,  where  the  latter's  son  Irving  lives  to-day.  Further  south  an 
Ohio  emigrant  named  Hamilton  had  made  a  claim  which  he  sold  to  John 
Wier,  and  down  the  river  Joseph  Babb  had  opened  a  farm.  John  Arm- 
strong had  made  a  claim  on  land  afterward  owned  by  Robert  Rickey; 
in  the  neighborhood  lived  Geo.  Easter,  and  north  of  town  a  family  named 
Waughob  and  another  named  Lancaster  had  temporary  residences. 

The  future  site  of  Lacon  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  coarse 
grass,  and  to  make  the  surveys  correctly  William  Strawn  was  mounted 
on  a  strong  horse  attached  to  a  log  of  wood,  with  which  he  traversed  the 
principle  streets,  thus  enabling  the  engineers  to  run  their  lines. 

The  survey  made,  the  streets  named,  the  lots  numbered  and  the  place 
christened,  it  was  advertised  in  the  few  papers  in  the  State,  and  a  pub- 
lic sale  of  lots  held  on  the  28th  day  of  September  of  that  year.  The 
auctioneer  was  John  Knox,  and  Robert  Barries  acted  as  clerk ;  some 
fifteen  persons  attended  the  sale.  Among  the  sales  made  were  lot  1  in 
block  2,  and  lots  1  and  2  in  block  21,  to  Jesse  Sawyer;  lots  7  and  8  in 
block  21,  to  Samuel  Russell;  lots  5  and  6  in  block  2,  to  Henry  K.  Gas- 
sell  ;  lots  3  and  4  in  block  2,  to  Thaddeus  Barney ;  lot  4  in  block  8, 
and  1  and  4  in  block  5,  to  William  Haws;  lots  1,  2,  3,  4  and  5  in  block 
9,  to  A.  N.  Dening;  ,  lot  1  in  block  (>,  to  Elisha  Swan;  lots  3,  5,  6,  7  and 
8  in  block  8,  lot  8  in  block  6,  and  lot  2  in  block  7,  -were  bought  by  Jesse 
C.  Smith  and  Joseph  Johnson. 

These  sales  were  either  made  at  the  time  or  soon  after,  the  considera- 
tion paid  varying  from  five  to  ten  dollars  each.  No  improvements  were 


328  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

made  this  fall,  but  in  the  winter  of  1831  H.  K.  Cassell,  who  was  living 
on  the  Babb  place,  assisted  by  John  Shaner,  hewed  and  framed  the  tim- 
bers for  a  house,  which  he  set  up  the  spring  following  where  Mrs.  John 
McEntee  now  lives,  but  before  completion  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
changed  his  plans,  and  it  was  not  finished  and  occupied  until  the  spring 
of  1834.  The  windows  and  door  frames  were  made  of  hackberry,  split 
and  smoothed  with  a  drawing  knife.  The  chimney  was  made  of  sticks, 
and  the  lime  was  obtained  west  of  the  river.  In  getting  it  to  the  bank 
he  was  assisted  by  Franklin  Graves  and  George  Sparr,  obtaining  it  from 
the  latter. 

In  1831  General  Neal,  of  Springfield,  in  anticipation  of  trouble  with 
the  Indians,  came  to  the  settlement  and  organized  the  nucleus  of  a  militia 
force,  appointing  John  Strawn  Colonel,  and  designating  it  the  Fortieth 
Regiment  of  Illinois  Militia.  Black  Hawk's  re-crossing  the  Mississippi 
and  Stillman's  defeat  are  matters  of  history,  and  immediately  thereafter 
Strawn  was  ordered  to  enroll  whatever  number  he  could  and  muster  them 
in  for  duty.  In  obedience  to  this  runners  were  sent  out,  and  such  as 
could  bear  arms  assembled  where  Lacon  now  stands,  May  20,  1832.  The 
men  were  mounted,  and  each  was  armed  with  rifle  or  shot-gun,  with 
haversack  and  powder-horn  strung  at  the  side. 

The  duty  assigned  them  was  to  patrol  the  river  and  give  notice  of  the 
approach  of  Indians.  Their  farthest  march  was  to  the  Winnebago  Swamps, 
but  they  never  encountered  the  enemy.  In  a  few  weeks  it  was  demon- 
strated there  was  no  danger  or  need  of  military  protection,  and  they  were 
mustered  out  at  Hennepin,  June  18th  of  the  same  year. 

In  the  summer  of  1831  Elisha  Swan  brought  a  stock  of  merchandise 
to  Columbia  and  opened  out  in  a  cabin  built  by  Newton  Reeder,  standing 
in  the  Irving  'Broadus  field,  south  of  Mrs.  Vernay's,  near  the  foot  of  the 
bluff. 

In  the  summer  of  1833  he  hewed  out  the  frame  of  a  new  building  and 
hauled  it  to  where  Henry  now  stands,  intending  to  start  a  town  and  open 
business  there,  biit  finding  the  site  covered  by  the  Sixteenth  (school)  Sec- 
tion, and  unable  to  procure  titles  at  the  time,  he  changed  his  plans  and 
determined  to  set  it  up  and  establish  himself  in  Lacon,  which  was  done. 
This  was  in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  hence  to  Elisha  Swan  belongs  the  honor 
of  being  the  first  settler  of  this  town. 

The  building  stood  on  the  ground  afterward  occupied  by  Miller's 
Brewery,  since  burned  down.  It  was  a  one  and  a  half  story  building, 


LACON BUSINESS    BEGINNINGS.  329 

20x36,  and  served  for  a  time  as  both  store  and  dwelling.  The  boards  for 
the  floor  were  brought  on  a  keel  boat  from  St.  Louis,  but  the  weather 
boards  and  shingles  were  riven  by  hand.  It  was  a  rather  pretentious 
building  for  the  times,  and  served  its  purpose  well.  Afterward  it  changed 
hands,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  known  as  the  old  "Gapen  House." 

Swan  opened  business  soon  as  the  building  was  completed,  and  here 
during  the  same  year  was  born  his  daughter  Louisa,  afterward  married  to 
W.  Robinson,  and  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  place. 

The  firm  name  under  which  Swan  operated  was  that  of  Swan  &, 
.Deming,  and  their  stock  was  unusually  large  and  good.  It  embraced 
articles  required  by  the  new  settlers,  and  also  for  the  Indian  trade, 
many  of  whom  came  in  early  times  to  barter  furs,  feathers  or  game  for 
whatever  suited  their  fancy.  Stocks  were  brought  from  St.  Louis  on  keel 
boats.  Mr.  Swan  purchased  one  called  the  "Dido,"  which  he  loaded  with 
wheat  and  took  to  St.  Louis  in  the  fall  of  1833,  his  crew  consisting  of 
himself,  Robert  Bird,  Jr.,  H.  W.  Cassell  and  two  men  named  Chaplin  and 
Bronson.  Returning,  they  loaded  with  merchandise,  making  the  trip  in 
two  weeks. 

Mr.  Swan  extended  his  business  as  the  country  settled  up  and  trade 
increased,  and  assisted  largely  in  developing  the  interests  of  the  town ; 
but  through  an  extended  credit  got  into  financial  difficulties  and  failed, 
after  which  he  removed  to  Naples,  where  he  died  a  few  years  later  of 
cholera.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Enoch  Dent,  and  still  survives. 

In  the  spring  of  1834  Cassell  moved  from  his  claim  south  of  town  to 
his  residence  in  Columbia,  and  soon  a  well  defined  path  between  his  house 
and  Swan's  store  marked  the  line  of  what  is  now  Water  street. 

In  June  of  this  year  an  election  for  Constable  and  Justice  of  the  Peace 
was  ordered  for  the  precinct,  and  fifty  votes  were  polled,  the  voting  place 
being  at  John  Strawn's. 

In  August  of  1833  Thaddeus  Barney  and  wife  came  from  Northern 
New  York,  being  the  first  emigrants  from  abroad  to  Columbia.  Engaging 
board  for  himself  and  wife  at  Swan's,  and  afterward  at  John  Wier's,  he 
set  about  the  erection  of  a  cabin  on  the  lot  now  occiipied  by  Richard 
Boyd, —  a  part  of  which  is  still  standing.  It  was  two  stories  high,  cov- 
ered with  the  usual  "shake"  roof,  and  had  a  substantial  chimney  of  mud 
and  sticks  at  the  end.  It  was  soon  finished  and  occupied,  but  his  wife 
getting  sick,  he  became  disheartened  and  disgusted,  and  determined  to 
abandon  the  place  forever.  Packing  their  household  goods,  they  awaited 


330  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

the  return  of  a  boat  known  to  be  up  the  liver,  and  had  the*  inexpressible 
mortification  of  seeing  her  pass  without  landing.  It  was  known  to  be  the 
last  trip  of  the  season,  and  Mrs.  B.,  utterly  discouraged,  declared  her 
intention  of  going  to  St.  Louis  in  a  dug-out  sooner  than  remain  here.  It 
was  indeed  their  only  recourse,  and  the  suggestion  was  acted  upon  at 
at  once.  A  few  indispensable  articles  were  thrown  in,  a  couch  made  for 
the  invalid,  and  the  frail  craft  paddled  out  into  the  stream.  They  reached 
St.  Louis  in  safety,  and  after  three  years  absence  returned  to  the  town 
and  opened  the  "Marshall  House,"  long  afterward  the  leading  hotel  in 
Lacon.  Mr.  Barney  died  in  1844  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  below 
town,  and  Mrs.  Barney  became  the  wife  of  John  Rogers,  with  whom  she 
lived  until  18 — ,  when  she  too  died,  and  sleeps  beside  her  first  husband. 
She  was  formerly  from  Wheeling,  Va.,  and  while  living  here  two  nieces 
came  to  visit  her  from  there,  one  of  whom  became  the  first  wife  of  Robert 
Davis,  the  banker  of  Henry,  and  the  other  married  William  Hadley. 

The  fourth  house  in  Columbia  was  a  two-story  log  cabin  built  by  Geo. 
Snyder,  in  the  fall  of  1834,  but  was  not  occupied  until  the  following 
spring.  With  Jacob  Reeder  he  came  from  Ohio  on  the  steamer  Joe  Da- 
viess,  with  their  respective  families,  Mr.  R.  buying  a  log  cabin  and  an  acre 
of  land  near  where  John  Hoff richter's  slaughter-house  stands,  for  $40.00. 
The  forty  acres  adjoining  was  still  in  market,  and  was  entered  by  him. 
Snyder's  cabin  stood  west  of  Fisher's  brick  house  and  next  to  the  distil- 
lery. He  kept  open  doors  to  the  new  settlers,  and  was  genial  and  hospit- 
able in  the  extreme.  The  rooms  were  partitioned  with  cotton  cloth,  and 
a  some-time  occupant  has  humorously  told  how  its  scanty  proportions 
served  for  a  drug  store,  a  harness  shop,  a  law  office  and  a  young  ladies 
sleeping  apartment,  besides  the  families  of  the  owners  and  numerous 
boarders  and  visitors. 

Dr.  Robert  Boal  visited  Columbia  this  year,  but  did  not  remove  to  the 
place  until  later. 

In  1834  came  Jesse  C.  Smith  and  Joseph  H.  Johnson,  from  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio.  The  former  at  one  time  was  doing  business  in  Wheeling,  Va., 
where  he  became  acquainted  with  John  Wier,  which  fact  probably 
induced  him  to  visit  ^he  new  town.  Smith  and  Johnson  journeyed  on 
horseback,  sometimes  camping  on  the  way.  They  proposed,  if  a  suitable 
place  could  be  found,  to  go  into  the  milling  business,  and  Strawn,  to 
secure  their  location  in  Columbia,  made  them  a  liberal  donation  of  lots  in 
the  new  town.  The  site  selected  was  that  now  occupied  by  the  Lacon 


LACON  DEARLY    LETTLERS    IN    THE    VICINITY.  331 

elevator.  The  castings,  machinery,  etc.,  were  brought  from  Cincinnati, 
and  the  mill  was  opened  for  business  in  1835-6.  By  their  agreement 
with  Strawn  they  were  to  pay  the  nominal  sum  of  $10  for  each  lot 
"donated,"  but  Strawn's  partners  refused  to  confirm  this,  and  the  Courts 
compelled  them  to  pay  $50  per  lot.  The  sums  advanced  were  all  repaid 
after  the  mill  was  completed. 

Though  Columbia  had  made  little  progress  at  this  time,  the  country 
to  the  eastward  was  rapidly  filling  up,  and  those  living  in  the  vicinity  may 
very  properly  be  named  in  this  connection.  Three  miles  below  town 
Joseph  Babb  had  located  in  1831,  and  built  a  double  log  cabin,  where  he 
dispensed  a  generous  hospitality.  He  had  a  son  n,amed  Benjamin  who 
succeeded  to  the  estate,  and  several  daughters  married  to  well-known  citi- 
zens. He  died  in  1835,  and  at  his  request  was  buried  on  the  point  of  the 
high  bluff  near  the  road  north  of  his  house,  so  that  he  could  see  (as  he 
expressed  it)  "his  old  friends  and  neighbors  when  they  passed  by." 

Near  where  Henry  Wier  lives,  two  men  named  Hurlburt  and  Hardesty 
had  made  a  claim  and  built  a  house,  which  they  sold  to  Hezekiah  Crane. 
In  the  old  cabin  upon  the  brow  of  the  bluff  John  Wier  lived,  having  .set- 
tled there  in  1832.  He  bought  a  claim  of  240  acres  of  Samuel  Hamilton 
for  $500,  and  entered  240  more  at  the  same  time. 

Among  the  prominent  settlers  in  these  times  was  a  family  named 
Waughob  or  Walkup,  who  emigrated  to  the  County  from  Pennsylvania, 
along  with  John  Strawn.  It  consisted  of  William  Waughob  and  wife,— 
the  latter  bed-ridden  —  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  one  of  them  married 
to  a  man  named  Easter,  who  built  a  cabin  where  the  brick  school  house, 
two  miles  below  Lacon,  stands. 

Another  emigrant  was  James  Shaner,  who  made  a  claim  where  James 
Hall  lives,  and  built  a  part  of  the  old  house,  which  is  still  standing.  Mr. 
Waughob  laid  claim  to  the  property  afterward  owned  by  the  Bullmans, 
and  to  various  tracts  elsewhere.  He  entered  the  eighty  acres  where  St. 
Clair  Bullman  lives,  but  got  into  litigation,  and  part  of  it  went  to  Judge 
Caton  for  services.  He  was  the  first,  also,  to  claim  the  Shafer  place.  Mr. 
Waughob,  Sr.,  died  in  the  fall  of  1831.  He  was  the  first  person  interred 
in  the  Broadus  Cemetery.  Mrs.  Waughob  died  October  6,  1838.  The 
only  living  representative  of  the  family  living  in  this  County,  so  far  as  we 
know,  is  an  old  lady  named  Overmire,  who  lives  on  Sandy  Creek.  Of 
George  Easter,  wedded  to  one  of  the  girls,  it  is  said  he  at  on.e  time  broke 


332  RECORDS    OF    TUB    OLDEN    TIME. 

his  leg,  and  there  being  no  doctor  nearer  than  Hennepin,  John  Wier  set 
the  limb,  and  the  man  got  well. 

In  the  fall  of  1831  James  Hall  came  to  the  country  and  settled  where 
he  has  ever  since  lived,  and  there  likewise  came  with  him  a  man  named 
Johnson,  and  William  McNeil,  afterward  brutally  murdered.  In  thf* 
spring  of  1832  came  the  Bullmans  —  Lot  and  Joshua.  The  latter  was 
married  at  the  time,  and  Lot  afterward  wedded  Ann,  daughter  of  Joshua 
Babb.  With  them  came  a  brother-in-law  named  James  Smalley  and  built 
a  cabin  on  the  hill  north  of  Joshua.  His  wife  died  not  long  after  and  he 
wedded  Mary,  daughter  of  James  Orr,  afterward  Mrs.  Asa  Thompson, 
who  still  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  green  old  age.  He  was  something 
of  a  speculator,  and  along  Avith  Mr.  Orr  laid  out  the  long  forgotten  town 
of  Bristol,  on  the  grounds  of  the  latter  north  of  John  Fisher's.  Only  one 
lot  was  sold  and  this  was  traded  for  a  box  of  hats  in  St.  Louis,  which 
never  came,  so  the  expected  future  Chicago  dropped  out  of  existence.  It 
never  had  an  inhabitant.  A  little  south  of  this  William  Feazle,  who  died 
a  few  years  ago,  lived  in  a  cabin  built  by  Virgil  Lancaster.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  a  sister  of  Silas  Ramsay,  and  one  day  while  standing  by  a  fire- 
place a  bolt  of  lightning  struck  her  dead.  In  the  field  at  the  bottom  of 
the  bluff  north  of  Joshua  Bullnian's  lived  a  man  named  Beltha  Griffith. 
He  sold  his  claim  to  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.,  and  here  Ira  and  Norman  .Ferm 
and  their  families  spent  their  first  winter  in  Lacon.  The  place  where 
Henry  Fisher  lives  was  first  settled  by  a  man  named  Gage. 

The  Vernay  place  was  entered  by  Robert  Iliff ,  who  sold  it  to  David 
Vernay,  whose  widowed  companion  still  lives  there.  In  the  Irving 
Broadus  field  not  far  from  John  Hoff richter's  slaughter  house  stood  the 
cabin  of  Jacob  Reeder,  owner  of  the  Barnes'  property,  which  he  sold  soon 
after  to  Theodore  Perry,  who  first  improved  it. 

We  now  return  to  Columbia.  The  year  1835  brought  little  change. 
Work  upon  the  new  flouring  mill  progressed  sloAvly.  The  building  was 
large,  and  facilities  for  construction  were  wanting,  so  that  it  was  nearly 
two  years  from  commencement  to  completion.  It  Avas  set  in  operation  in 
the  fall  of  1 836,  and  at  once  gave  an  impetus  to  the  business  of  the  place. 
People  came  to  it  from  an  hundred  miles  aAvay.  The  Grand  De  Tour 
plow  Avorks  were  just  starting  in  business,  and  came  here  for  their  first 
supplies.  In  1838—9  there  was  a  great  scarcity  of  flour  in  Galena,  and 
Johnson  loaded  five  teams,  with  ten  barrels  each,  and  sent  them  there, 
realizing  $20  per  barrel. 


FLOURING    MILL    BUILT FERRY    ESTABLISHED.  333 

During  its  construction  the  proprietors  kept  a  store  in  a  small  build- 
ing opposite,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Conroy,  the  license  for  -which  was 
issued  by  the  Commissioners'  Court  of  Putnam  County,  June  1,  1835. 
For  some  time  they  kept  "bachelor's  hall"  with  their  employes  in  a  log 
building,  on  Water  street,  one  block  north  of  the  distillery.  The  cellar 
of  this  building  was  quite  a  resort  for  snakes,  which  paid  unceremonious 
visits  to  one  of  the  proprietors  (Smith)  as  he  lay  sick  upon  the  floor  above. 

The  mill  did  a  flourishing  business  up  to  1857,  when,  owing  to  tlie 
death  of  one  of  the  partners,  it  was  sold  at  administeator's  sale,  and  was 
bought  by  William  Fisher  <fe  Co.,  for  $2,000.  They  expended  a  large 
sum  in  enlarging  and  improving,  and  had  just  ordered  new  boilers  for  it 
when  it  took  fire  and  burned  down,  about  the  year  1855. 

In  March,  1832,  Swan  obtained  a  license  from  the  authorities  of  Put- 
nam County  for  the  establishment  of  a  ferry,  paying  five  dollars  for  the 
privilege.  Formerly  crossing  had  been  done  in  canoes,  and  if  anything 
bulky  was  to  be  taken  over>  two  were  lashed  together  and  a  platform 
laid  upon  them.  Horses  or  cattle  were  made  to  swim.  Mr.  Swan  put  on 
a  small  boat,  but  the  amount  of  travel  at  the  time  was  very  small,  and 
the  enterprise  far  from  being  profitable. 

Roads  had  previously  been  surveyed  eastward  toward  Metamora  and 
to  Caledonia  on  the  way  to  Hennepin,  and  in  1836  the  Commissioners' 
Court  ordered  the  survey  of  one  fjom  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite 
Columbia  westward,  to  intersect  the  road  running  from  Peoria  to  Galena. 
Previously  there  had  been  no  authorized  road  coming  to  the  ferry. 

The  year  1835  witnessed  various  improvements.  The  proprietors  of  the 
town,  to  induce  settlers,  made  offers  of  certain  lots  at  nominal  prices  to 
those  who  would  erect  houses  two  stories  high,  and  on  those  conditions 
two  or  three  were  built,  one  of  them  by  Philip  McGuire,  a  single  man, 
and  another  by  William  Burns,  a  relative  of  John  Wier. 

The  cemetery  below  town  was  laid  out  in  1836.  It  was  thickly  cov- 
ered with  hazel  brush  at  the  time,  and  scattering  oaks  of  various  sizes. 
The  first  person  interred  was  a  daughter  of  Virgil  Lancaster,  and  the 
second  was  James  Henthorn,  who  died  in  September.  He  assisted  in 
forming  the  Methodist  Society  and  was  its  first  class-leader. 

About  this  time,  too,  or  a  few  months  earlier,  Barrows  &  C  ase  built  a 
steam  saw-mill  at  the  lower  end  of  town,  and  the  same  year  Dennis 
Barney  erected  one  on  the  Babb  place,  three  miles  below,  and  not  long 
after  added  a  wool  carding  and  fulling  machine. 


334  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

The  new  settlers  began  raising  sheep  at  an  early  day,  and  in  the 
course  of  time  Mr.  Barney's  modest  ventnie  grew  into  a  first-class  carding 
and  wool  dressing  mill,  45x46  feet,  three  stories  high.  He  was  on  the 
high  road  to  prosperity,  when  on  the  night  of  June  14,  1843,  it  took  fire 
and  was  entirely  destroyed.  He  had  no  insurance,  and  the  loss  was  irre- 
parable. He  began  again  in  a  small  way  at  Crow  Creek,  but  met  with 
poor  success. 

Dr.  Condee  was  the  first  physician  in  the  place.  He  came  in  1 834  and 
taught  a  term  of  school  in  a  cabin  south-west  of  Irvine'  Broadus'  place, 
built  by  William  Waughob.  He  became  a  partner  of  Dr.  Boal,  and  built 
a  residence  across  the  railway  track  from  the  packing  hoiise,  into  which 
Dr.  Boal  and  family  moved  on  their  arrival,  and  wherein  their  daughter, 
Clara,  wife  of  our  eminent  townsman,  Colonel  Fort,  was  born.  The  house 
still  stands  on  Broad  street,  east  of  the  Pomeroy  cooper  shop. 

Dr.  Condee  returned  to  Rushville,  Indiana,  and  died  in  1838. 

In  1835  a  man  named  O'Neal  opened  a  store  and  built -a  cabin  where 
the  Eagle  Mill  stood,  which  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  Hadley. 

Dr.  Effner  was  the  second  physician.  He  came  from  Bloomington  in 
1834,  and  began  a  two-story  log  house  on  the  corner  opposite  the  old 
brick  hotel.  It  was  not  completed  until  some  time  after,  and  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.,  who  sold  it  to  a  man  named  Boyle.  It  was 
burned  down  in  1856  and  the  lot  sold  to  James  Hadley,  who  built  a  two- 
story  frame  building  thereon,  since  burned  down. 

Another  physician  of  Lacon  was  a  Dr.  Wolfe.  He  was  addicted  to 
drinking,  and  when  the  saloon  keepers  here  refused  to  longer  sell  to  him, 
took  a  couple  of  jugs  and  went  to  Chillicothe.  He  swam  the  river  and 
got  them  filled,  and  returned  in  like  manner,  losing  one  of  them  on  the 
way.  With  the  other  he  reached  home,  mixed  the  liquor  with  opium, 
and  drank  himself  to  death. 

In  1835,  too,  came  Gen.  Jonathan  Babb  and  Nelson  G.  Henthorn,  who 
reached  Columbia  on  the  30th  of  September,  and  took  up  their  temporary 
abode  with  friends  below  the  town.  The  General  began  at  once  the  con- 
struction of  a  substantial  frame  house  near  where  the  office  of  the  Phoenix 
Mill  long  after  stood.  When  that  was  built,  the  old  house  was  removed 
up  town,  and  still  stands. 

In  1835  Ira  I.  Fenn,  a  young  and  rising  young  lawyer,  of  Dayton, 
Ohio,  in  company  with  Samuel  Howe,  journeyed  West  on  horseback, 
visiting  Lacon  and  the  country  surrounding.  They  were  so  well  pleased 


*ACON  -  tllE    PORK  -PACKING    INTERESTS.  335 


that  they  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  new  town,  and  prepared  for  re- 
moval. They  were  the  pioneers  of  the  so-called  Lacon  Colony,  embracing 
the  three  brothers  Fenn,  viz:  Ira  I.,  Norman  and  William,  the  Rev. 
Augustus  Pomeroy  and  Dr.  Robert  Boal,  with  their  respective  families, 
William  Fisher,  Augustus  Pomeroy,  Jr.,  and  Sanniel  Howe,  a  single  man. 
Later  in  the  season  came  William  Hancock,  Hartley  Malone,  H.  L.  and 
H.  P.  Crane.  They  were  all  men  of  character  and  standing,  and  would 
exert  an  influence  for  good  in  any  community.  To  them  more  than  any 
others  Lacon  is  indebted  for  its  good  name,  its  social  standing,  and  its  high 
literary  and  moral  status. 

The  name  of  Fisher  deserves  more  than  the  brief  mention  accorded 
above.  William,  who  preceded  his  older  brother,  had  been  doing  busi- 
ness with  the  latter  at  Rossville,  Ohio,  but  dissolved  partnership,  and 
purchasing  a  two-ninths'  interest  in  the  new  town  of  Columbia  for  $4,000, 
became  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.  As  this  market 
seemed  overstocked  with  goods,  he  took  a  portion  of  their  stock  to  Hen- 
nepin,  and  remained  until  the  completion  of  the  brick  on  the  south-east  cor- 
ner of  Fifth  and  Main  streets,  when  he  returned  to  Lacon.  In  the  fall  of 
1838  he  withdrew  from  the  firm  to  form  that  of  William  Fisher  &  Co.,  and 
opened  a  store  in  a  building  north  of  Reil's  livery  stable.  They  also  be- 
gan packing  pork,  and  the  first  year  cut  up  750  hogs,  mostly  from  La  Salle 
Prairie,  west  of  Chillicothe. 

It  is  proper  to  state  here  that  the  first  pork  packed  in  the  place  was 
by  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.,  in  1837.  Swan  also  went  into  the  business,  cut- 
ting up,  in  1839,  3,000  hogs. 

Jabez  Fisher  having  decided  to  concentrate  his  western  business  in 
Lacon,  extensive  preparations  were  made,  and  the  old  slaughter  house 
below  town  and  several  other  buildings  were  erected  in  1840.  In 
1849-50  the  brick  packing  house  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $10.000.  At  the 

-1  O  TT  7 

time  it  was  considered  the  most  complete  of  its  kind  in  the  West.  The 
number  of  hogs  packed  by  them  ranged  from  750  (the  first  year's  product) 
to  11,000,  and  the  amount  annually  paid  out  varied  from  $50,000  to 
$300,000.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  steamers  to  take  on  an  entire 
cargo  of  pork  and  its  products  and  proceed  to  New  Orleans  without 
breaking  bulk.  It  furnished  a  market  for  all  the  surrounding  country, 
and  hogs  were  driven  here  from  territory  now  covered  by  eleven  counties. 
Another  important  interest  connected  with  it  was  the  coopering  busi- 
ness, employing  throughout  the  season  from  six  to  twenty  men.  The 


336  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

pioneer  cooper  was  Samuel  Pomeroy,  and  the  business  was  the  means  of 
bringing  to  the  place  such  men  as  Calvin  Chapman,  Abner  Shinn  and 
George  F.  Wightman. 

The  currency  in  circulation  at  the  time  was  pretty  nearly,  worthless, 
and  would  not  be  received  for  taxes.  There  was  little  gold  or  silver  in 
circulation,  and  the  financial  situation  was  deplorable.  Mr.  Fisher  brought 
good  money,  and  such  was  the  confidence  in  his  integrity  that  tax  collec- 
tors gave  public  notice  that  "Boston  money,"  as  the  funds  he  paid  were 
called,  would  be  receivable  for  all  public  dues.  To  his  credit  be  it  said— 
and  no  finer  tribute  could  be  paid  —  that  during  his  long  business  life 
this  confidence  was  never  shaken. 

In  those  times  there  were  neither  railroads  nor  express  companies  in 
the  West  and  exchanges  and  collections  were  attended  with  difficulties. 
The  mail  and  stage  coach  were  the  means  employed  for  the  conveyance  of 
valuables,  and  it  was  the  usual  custom  to  insure  packages  and  then  start 
them  on  their  long  journey.  Occasionally  they  were  lost,  but  not  often. 

Somewhere  about  the  year  1852  a  package  sent  from  Boston  was 
missed.  The  Postmaster  here  was  a  one-legged  Mexican  soldier  named 
Williamson,  who  was  believed  to  be  a  person  of  the  strictest  integrity. 
The  Fishers  were  instructed  in  advance  of  the  shipment  of  packages  and 
knew  when  to  expect  them.  There  was  seldom  any  delay,  and  hence 
when  two  packages  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  each  failed  to  arrive  it  oc- 
casioned endless  wonder  and  comment.  Williamson  was  well  connected 
here,  his  brother  being  married  to  a  daughter  of  Norman  Fenn,  and  was 
not  suspected,  but  the  Postoifice  Department  concluded  he  was  the 
guilty  party,  and  placed  detectives  on  his  track  who  soon  obtained  evi- 
dence that  convicted  him,  and  he  made  a  clean  breast  of  the  matter.  He 
was  sent  to  the  Alton  Penitentiary  for  ten  years,  and  died  there. 

The  rapid  development  of  the  country  and  the  competence  that  many 
men  enjoy  to-day  is  due  to  this  firm.  They  made  a  market  for  hogs  when 
there  was  none  other  between  Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  and  paid  good 
money  when  most  needed.  Misfortunes  came  in  after  years,  and  the  riches 
laboriously  piled  up  were  swept  away ;  yet  they  can  say  with  the  old 
Roman,  "  All  is  not  lost  while  honor  remains." 

In  1836  the  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  Lacon.  The  credit  of 
suggesting  it  rightly  belongs  to  D.  C.  Holbrook,  of  Cincinnati.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  Cairo,  largely  interested  in  the  extensive  im- 
provements undertaken  by  the  State  at  this  time,  and  a  personal  friend  of 


ISTAME  CHANGE!)  FROM  COLUMBIA  TO  LACCHST.  337 

Jesse  C.  Smith.  General  Henderson  was  Representative  from  the  District, 
and  Smith  and  Ira  Feiin  went  down  to  lobby  the  measure  through. 
There  they  met  Holbrook,  who  gave  them  some  assistance  and  contributed 
the  name.  The  matter  was  referred  home,  discussed  and  adopted. 

Reference  has  been  made  to  the  firm  of  Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.,  who  be- 
came part  owners  of  the  town  site  and  built  a  store  in  the  winter  of  183(5, 
east  of  the  present  elevator,  which  was  afterward  removed,  and  it  now 
forms  part  of  the  dwelling  and  restaurant  of  Fred.  Roth.  Swan,  at  a 
later  date,  removed  his  storehouse  to  the  corner,  where  the  brick  hotel 
stands,  which,  after  his  failure,  burned  down,  and  the  lot  fell  into  the  hands  of 
Dr.  Wilcox,  who  erected  on  the  ground  a  two-story  frame  building,  and 
that  likewise  caught  fire  one  fourth  of  July  and  was  consumed. 

William  Hadley  was  another  emigrant  who  came  in  1836,  and  his  son 
James  is  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Peoria. 

Other  early  settlers  were  Jesse  Bane,  who  married  Rachel,  eldest 
daughter  of  John  Strawn,  and  J.  C.  Coutlett,  who  for  many  years  carried 
on  the  merchant  tailoring  business.  About  this  time,  too,  came  Barrows 
and  Case,  Cochran  and  Perry,  merchants,  Lindley  and  Fishburn  and 
many  others. 

In  the  summer  of  1836  the  street  leading  to  the  river  was  cleared  and 
a  substantial  road  made  through  the  morass  by  placing  timbers  side  by 
side  and  covering  them  with  brush  and  dirt.  The  succeeding  winter  the 
timber  fronting  the  town  was  chopped  down,  and  a  great  freshet  in  the 
spring  carried  it  away.  Instead  of  the  shallow  ponds  now  seen,  they 
were  deep  and  clear,  being  fed  from  springs  in  the  bottom. 

In  1837  the  town  was  incorporated  under  the  general  act,  and  elected 
a  Board  of  Trustees,  with  AVilliam  Fenn  for  President,  and  Ira  I.  Fenn, 
Clerk. 

The  postoffice  was  established  in  1835,  and  Dr.  Eff ner  appointed  post- 
master. Before  this  the  citizens  relied  upon  the  office  of  Crow  Creek,  at 
Bell's  Ford,  for  mail  facilities.  A  letter  from  the  Eastern  States  cost 
25  cents  postage,  and  correspondence  was  small,  as  compared  with  the 
present  time.  The  new  Postmaster,  it  is  said,  carried  the  entire  mail  in 
his  hat,  and  distributed  it  among  the  owners  as  he  found  them.  Mails 
were  carried  in  four-horse  stages,  and  the  route  was  from  Peru  to  Henne- 
pin,  via  Granville,  and  thence  to  Bell's  Crossing,  over  Crow  Creek,  and 
so  on  to  Peoria;  but  after  the  establishment  of  the  postoffice  here  it  was 


338  fcECOfcbS   OP   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

changed  so  that  stages  came  directly  down  the  river  from  Hennepin,  and 
crossed  the  Illinois  at  this  place. 

In  1838  Frink  &  Trowbridge  obtained  contracts  for  all  the  routes  in 
this  country.  Their  headquarters  were  in  Chicago,  and  the  schedule  called 
for  a  daily  mail  between  that  place  and  Peoria. 

In  this  year  (1837)  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized,  an  ex- 
tended notice  of  this  and  the  other  churches  being  given  elsewhere. 

From  this  time  the  new  town  grew  rapidly.  In  1838  Norman  Fenn 
built  the  house  where  George  W.  Wightman  lives,  and  Ira  I.  Fenn  com- 
pleted the  dwelling  where  he  lived  until  the  day  of  his  death. 

The  Fisher  brick,  as  the  corner  store  was  called,  was  begun  in  183 7  by 
Fenn,  Howe  &  Co.,  and  finished  the  succeeding  season.  Samuel  Howe 
built  the  house  formerly  occupied  by  Owen  McEntee  as  a  flour  store  and 
still  standing,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy  built  the  "  Jake  Foster"  house. 
The  front  room  was  made  puiposely  large  for  prayer  meetings,  but  we  fear 
its  "  days  of  grace  "  are  ended. 

The  new  proprietors  of  the  place  early  turned  their  attention  to  educa- 
tion, and  in  1836  the  "Lacon  Academy"  was  organized,  and  $1,000 
pledged  to  its  support.  A  building  was  put  up  in  that  year  capable  of 
holding  sixty  or  seventy  pupils,  which  for  several  years  afforded  all  the 
educational  privileges  needed.  It  was  used  for  church  purposes,  town 
meetings,  elections,  lyceums  and  all  public  purposes  for  many  years,  and 
afterward  was  turned  into  a  dwelling  house.  Later  still  it  served  as  a 
work-shop,  and  finally  was  turned  around  facing  the  street,  a  more  pre- 
tentious front  added,  and  became  the  store  which  William  Fisher  oc- 
cupies. Here  in  the  spring  of  1837  was  taught  the  first  school  in  Lacon, 
by  Jane  M-  Kilgore,  now  a  well  preserved  matron  of  sixty,  and  wife  of 
Henry  M.  Barnes.  Among  her  pupils  were  the  three  children  of  Norman 
Fenn, —  Sarah  Ann,  Adaline  and  William  Porter.  Sarah  married  Samuel 
Dunham,  builder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  who  in  less  than  one  month 
died,  and  she  became  a  widow,  after  which  she  wedded  Eleazer  Pomeroy, 
•dying  many  years  ago.  Adaline  married  James  N.  Williamson,  moved 
to  Chicago,  and  died  in  Michigan  in  1878.  William  Porter  enlisted  in  the 
Seventy-seventh  Illinois  Ingantry  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  served  with 
credit  until  after  the  capture  of  Mobile  and  died  of  the  small  pox. 

Gen.  Babb  sent  three  children — Jane,  Evaline  and  Erastus.  The  two 
girls  became  wives  of  the  Rev.  John  T.  Devore,  a  noted  Methodist  min- 
ister of  early  times,  and  both  died  in  Oregon.  Erastus  also  died  there. 


W.    E.    COOK 


LACON.ILL. 


DEVELOPMENT   OF   EDUCATIONAL   INTERESTS.  341 

William  Hadley  sent  his  two  sons,  at  present  living  in  Peoria;  and  the 
Rev.  Augustus  Pomeroy  sent  two, — Henry  and  Augustus.  They  re- 
moved elsewhere  at  an  early  day. 

Samuel  Pomeroy  sent  Cornelia,  Samuel  and  Frank.  Cornelia  became 
the  wife  of  Judge  Bangs,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Lacon,  and  now  of 
Chicago.  Samuel  was  for  several  years  with  William  Fisher,  and  died  in 
Peru,  and  Frank  lives  in  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 

Ira  Fenn  sent  three  nieces  named  respectively  Matilda,  Laetitia  and 
Maria  McMillen.  Matilda  died  in  Lacon;  Laetitia  married  Geo.  Eckley, 
became  the  mother  of  two  children,  removed  to  California,  and  now  lives 
with  her  daughter  in  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

There  were  two  children  named  Lindsay,  —  Benjamin  and  Dorcas. 
The  former  was  for  many  years  a  conductor  on  the  C.  &  A.  Railroad,  and 
the  latter  married  George  Wightman.  There  was  also  among  the  pupils 
a  girl  named  Jemima  Orr,  who  afterward  became  the  wife  of  Philip 
Maguire. 

The  old  school  house  served  its  purpose  for  several  years,  and  was  re- 
placed by  a  larger  one,  afterward  reconstructed  into  the  dwelling  now 
occupied  by  the  family  of  the  late  Henry  L.  Crane. 

In  1856  the  present  High  School  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$8,000,  and  was  reconstructed  in  1878.  The  public  schools  of  the  place 
have  always  stood  high,  and  still  maintain  their  reputation. 

The  act  establishing  the  County  of  Marshall  passed  January  19,  1839, 
and  under  its  provisions  Lacon  was  made  the  County  seat  April  0,  1839. 
The  first  Circuit  Court  was  held  in  the  old  M.  E.  Church  (long  since  con- 
verted into  a  place  of  business).  April  23d  of  that  year,  Thomas  Ford 
presided  as  Judge,  and  J.  M.  Shannon  was  appointed  Clerk.  The  Grand 
Jurors  were  Ira  Lowrey,  Lewis  Barney,  Joel  Corbill,  Jeremiah  Cooper, 
Allen  N.  Ford,  Charles  Rice,  William  Gray,  Enoch  Sawyer,  Zorah  D. 
Stewart,  Elijah  Freeman,  Jr.,  Nathan  Owen,  George  Scott,  Samuel  Howe, 
Robert  Bennington,  John  Bird,  Andrew  Jackson,  Henry  Snyder,  Allen 
Hunter.  There  being  no  jury  cases  on  the  docket,  no  petit  jury  was 
summoned. 

A  movement  toward  constructing  a  Court  House  was  begun  in  June, 
and  in  December  a  contract  was  entered  into  with  White  &  Shepherd,  of 
Tremont,  for  putting  up  a  building  with  stone  foundations  and  brick 
superstructure,  40x55  feet,  for  $8,000.  It  stood  fourteen  years,  and 
burned  down  January  5,  1853,  through  a  defect  in  one  of  the  chimneys. 


342  RECORDS  of  ME  OLDE& 

The  present  edifice  was  built  in  1854,  by  two  Peoria  firms,  and  cost  $7,300. 

The  old  log  jail,  still  standing  in  the  rear  of  the  Court  House,  was 
built  in  1844,  by  George  and  Thomas  Wier,  for  $500.  It  proved  quite 
insecure  and  inadequate  for  the  purpose,  many  prisoners  escaping  from  it. 
The  present  structure,  with  comfortable  rooms  for  the  Sheriff,  etc.,  was 
built  in  1857,  and  cost  $12,000. 

About  this  time  a  movement  was  set  on  foot  for  constructing  a  rail- 
road from  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  to  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  crossing  the  river  at 
this  point.  A  charter  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature,  and  the  County 
voted  by  a  large  majority  to  subsciibe  $100,000  to  the  capital  stock.  In 
December,  1855,  the  city  of  Lacon  also  voted  bonds  to  the  extent  of 
$50,000  for  the  same  purpose.  Individual  subscriptions  to  a  considerable 
amount  were  likewise  procured,  and  a  large  amount  of  grading  done ;  but 
it  was  evidently  too  early  for  so  great  an  enterprise,  and  the  return  of 
hard  times  compelled  its  abandonment  for  lack  of  means  to  cany  it 
through.  The  bonds  voted  by  the  city  were  paid  with  interest  and  the 
debt  extinguished  in  1878,  but  a  portion  of  the  County  bonds  are  still 
outstanding. 

The  Township  of  Lacon  voted  $60,000  toward  building  a  branch  of 
the  Chicago  <fe  Alton  Railroad  from  Wenona  to  Lacon,  which  was  com- 
pleted, but  there  appears  to  have  been  some  informality  in  the  proceeding, 
and  their  legality  is  disputed. 

Among  other  improvements  worthy  of  extended  note  may  be  men- 
tioned the  milling  interest  of  Lacon.  The  Phoenix  Mill,  built  in  1855  by 
William  Fisher,  cost  $42,000,  and  the  Model  Mill,  built  by  Fenn,  Perry 
&  Dodds,  cost  a  like  sum.  The  former  burned  down  about  1871,  and 
was  not  rebuilt.  In  1857  a  distillery  was  added  to  the  Model  Mill,  which 
burned  down  in  the  spring  of  1862.  The  next  year  the  Thayer  Bros.,  of 
Chicago,  purchased  the  property  and  greatly  enlarged  its  capacity.  Au- 
gust 12,  1864,  the  boilers  of  the  distillery  exploded,  damaging  the  prop- 
erty to  the  extent  of  $25,000  and  killing  five  men,  viz:  Michael  Sullivan, 
James  Howard,  Daniel  Barnhouse,  Daniel  Foltz  and  -  -  Stephens.  In 
a  single  year  it  paid  the  Government  a  revenue  tax  of  one  million  nine 
hundred  and  ninety-three  thousand  dollars.  After  the  death  of  the 
Thayers  the  works  were  run  in  a  desultory  way  for  some  time  and  then 
dismantled. 

Another  enterprise  of  which  Lacon  is  deservedly  proud  is  its  Woolen 
Mill,  where  are  made  the  celebrated  and  widely  known  Prairie  State 


LACON  WOOLEN  MILL  —  THE  FERRY.  343 

shawls.  So  far  as  known,  it  is  the  first  establishment  of  the  kind  west 
of  the  Alleganies,  and  such  is  the  excellence  of  their  manufacture  that  they 
successfully  compete  in  style  and  finish  with  the  best  Eastern-made  goods. 
Their  annual  production  is  about  30,000  shawls  of  various  patterns  and 
styles,  as  well  as  a  large  quantity  of  piece  goods.  The  project  originated 
in  a  letter  upon  the  subject  of  manufactures  written  by  Spencer  Ellsworth 
for  the  Chicago  Tribune,  which  attracted  the  attention  of  William  F. 
Sague  and  John  Grieves,  out  of  which  grew  a  correspondence  leading  to  a 
meeting  of  a  half  dozen  citizens  and  the  appointment  of  William  Fisher 
and  Mr.  Ellsworth  as  a  committee  to  meet  and  confer  with  those  gen- 
tlemen. Their  report  was  considered  so  favorable  that  a  company  was 
organized  and  incorporated  with  a  nominal  capital  of  $100,000,  afterward 
increased  to  $123,000.  Books  of  subscription  were  opened  and  a  Board 
of  Directors  chosen,  consisting  of  Archibald  Riddell,  Andrew  Smith,  Rob- 
ert Pringle,  John  Grieves,  William  Fisher,  D.  E.  Thomas  and  Spencer 
Ellsworth.  D.  E.  Thomas  was  chosen  President,  and  Spencer  Ellsworth, 
Secretary.  During  the  winter  the  capital  subscription  was  worked  up 
until  $50,000  was  raised,  when  the  buildings  were  put  under  contract  and 
finished  that  summer.  They  furnish  employment  to  some  sixty-five  per- 
sons, and  with  little  intermission  the  mill  has  run  continuously  since  its 
erection. 


THE  LACON  FERRY. 

The  first  ferry  across  the  river  was  established  by  Elisha  Swan  in  1832, 
who  built  a  flat  for  the  purpose  and  propelled  it  with  oars.  Its  principal 
use  was  the  conveyance  of  coal  from  the  Sparland  banks.  In  1837  he 
sold  his  interest  to  Dr.  Boal,  who  built  a  larger  flat  capable  of  carrying 
two  teams.  It  was  constructed  on  the  bank  near  the  lower  saw  mill,  so 
as  to  run  it  out  at  the  slough  entrance. 

On  the  opposite  shore  the  track  turned  up  the  river  bank  for  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  and  then  followed  the  high  ground  near  the  creek  to  what  was 
known  as  the  Reddick  House.  A  veiy  good  road  was  found  for  most  of 
the  way. 

Joseph  Johnson  and  Charles  Ballance,  of  Peoria,  secured  the  fractional 
tract  of  ground  across  the  river,  above  the  ferry,  with  a  view  of  establish- 
ing a  rival  ferry,  but  sold  their  interest  to  William  Fisher.  William 


344  fcECOfcbS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Fisher  &  Co.  bought  Dr.  Boal's  interest,  and  several  years  later,  while 
the  Doctor  was  in  the  Legislature,  secured  a  charter  through  him.  A 
larger  boat  was  constructed,  which  served  until  1849,  when  a  new  one 
was  built.  The  receipts  were  small  and  the  franchise  was  not  considered 
valuable. 

The  first  ferryman  was  Joseph  Mac  Taylor,  and  Richard  Vinecore  ran 
it  for  several  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  a  man  named  King,  who  got 
drunk,  fell  off  the  boat  and  was  drowned.  Josiah  Martin  ran  it  several 
years,  and  John  Jason  also.  Ed.  Corcoran  was  the  "  boatman  pale "  for 
seventeen  years,  and  a  better  man  't  were  hard  to  find. 

The  road  and  its  repairs  across  the  river  has  cost,  according  to  William 
Fisher,  $12,000.  The  County. paid  Span-  toward  constructing  the  first 
bridge  $300. 

In  1857  William  Fisher  became  sole  owner  of  the  property  for  a  con- 
sideration of  $20,000.  He  built  a  new  boat  and  added  steam  power.  He 
also  purchased  a  steamer  for  use  in  seasons  of  high  water,  and  made  the 
crossing  popular  with  the  public. 

In  January,  1869,  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Jabez  Fisher  <fe  Co.,  and 
in  1879  was  sold  to  the  city  of  Lacon  for  $6,000. 


THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    OF    1ACOX. 


345 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 


Presbyterian  Church  of  Lacon  was  organized  mainly 
through  the  aid  of  the  Rev.  Augustus  Pomeroy,  assisted  by 
a  few  devout  Christian  men  and  women,  who  had  been  in 
the  County  but  a  short  time.  Among  those  prominent  in 
the  good  work  may  be  mentioned  the  three  Fenn  brothers, 
Ira  I.,  William  and  Norman;  likewise  Samuel  Howe,  Heze- 
kiah  T.  Crane,  and  others,  who  had  known  and  listened  to 
the  ministrations  of  Mr.  Pomeroy  in  Ohio,  and  at  whose 
solicitation  he  had  agreed  to  accompany  them  into  the  wilderness.  Serv- 
ices were  held  in  private  houses,  and  as  considerable  interest  was  manifested 
in  the  cause  it  was  decided  to  organize  a  society.  Accordingly  the  1  2th 
of  May,  1837,  was  set  apart,  and  due  notice  being  given,  a  large  congre- 
gation assembled  at  the  residence  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy.  Here  a  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Farnum,  by  direction  of  the  Peoria 
Presbytery,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Augustus  Pomeroy,  after  which  those 
qualified  and  desiring  to  enter  into  a  Church  organization  were  advised  to 
come  forward. 

Thirty-eight  persons  presented  themselves,  exhibiting  satisfactory  evi- 
dence of  previous  good  standing,  and  were  enrolled,  as  follows: 

Samuel  M.  Kilgore  and  his  wife,  Jacob  and  Frances  Reeder,  William 
and  Eleanor  McCuen,  David  and  Harriet  Mitchell,  Norman  Fenn,  Ira  I. 
and  Eunice  B.  Fenu,  Hezekiah  and  Clarissa  Crane,  Thaddeus  and  Ann 
Barney,  James  and  Margaret  Work,  Susan  Work,  Isabella  Work,  Wm. 
and  Maria  Fenn,  Martha  Ramsay,  Jane  M.  Kilgore,  John  T.  Shepherd, 
Charles  and  Mary  Barrows,  Mrs.  Susan  L.  Pomeroy,  Mary  Ann  Pomeroy, 
Rev.  Augustus  D.  Pomeroy,  William  Fisher,  George  and  Mary  Snyder, 
William  and  Priscilla  Dodds,  Mrs.  Mary  Murphy,  Samuel  and  Sarah 
Howe  and  Maiy  J.  McEwen. 

The  Articles  of  Faith  and  Covenant,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ottawa  were 
adopted,  and  Charles  Barrows,  David  Mitchell  Hezekiah  T,  Crane  and  Ira 


346  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

I.  Fenn  were  elected  Elders.  Tib  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was 
administered  for  the  first  time  June  14,  1837. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy,  who  had  previously  labored  a  part  of  the 
time  at  Hennepin,  was  employed  to  devote  his  whole  services  to  the 
Church  here. 

July  29,  Ira  I.  Fenn  was  elected  Clerk.  August  1,  Samuel  Pomeroy, 
Mary  Pomery,  Elijah  Pomeroy,  Isabella  Kilgore,  Emily  Spangler,  James 
Work,  Jr.,  Samuel  Work,  Mary  Work,  Elizabeth  and  Margaret  Work 
joined.  January,  27,  1838,  twelve  new  members  were  enrolled,  and  eight 
admitted  for  examination.  January  28,  five  persons  were  baptized,  the 
first  recorded.  H 

During  the  winter  the  most  remarkable  revival  in  the  history  of  the 
Church  took  place,  and  on  the  19th  of  February  thirty-four  persons  made 
profession  of  faith  and  were  received  in  the  Society. 

February  19,  six  persons  were  baptized,  and  April  7,  six  additional 
members  joined. 

In  March,  1838,  there  were  five  dismissals  of  members  who  wished  to 
join  other  churches. 

In  July,  1837,  William  McCune  was  removed  by  death,  and  on  the 
14th  of  August  Eunice  B.  Fenn,  and  in  February,  1838,  Harriet  Mitchell. 
In  September,  1838,  Mrs.  Sarah  W.  Johnson ;  November,  Mary  Pome- 
roy; June  20,  1839,  Jacob  Smalley. 

September  15,  1838,  four  new  converts  were  secured. 

February  25,  1839,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy  asked  to  be  relieved  from 
the  care  of  the  Church  on  account  of  failing  health,  which  was  granted. 

The  first  minister  of  the  Society,  as  stated  before,  was  the  Rev. 
Augustus  Pomeroy,  who  began  in  the  fall  of  1836,  and  closed  by  resigna- 
tion February  25,  1839. 

The  second  was  the  Rev.  H.  T.  Pendleton,  who  commenced  his  labors 
in  June,  1839,  and  served  one  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
David  Jones,  who  preached  three  years. 

In  October,  1843,  the  Rev.  David  Smith  was  engaged  and  labored  one 
year,  when  his  services  were  terminated  b\^death. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1844,  Henry  G.  Pendleton  began  his  labors, 
preaching  one  year. 

August  19,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Fowler  was  secured  and  preached  until 
April,  1853, —  a  longer  time  than  any  other  minister  since  the  organization 
of  the  Society. 


THE   METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    OF    LACON.  347 

111  1854  the  Rev.  Mr.  Christopher  began  preaching  as  stated  supply, 
and  served  the  Society  four  and  a  half  years.  He  was  dismissed  in  No- 
vember, 1858,  and  died  in  1879.  On  December  1st  of  that  year  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Waldo  was  hired  and  labored  eighteen  months.  He  was  succeeded 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons,  who  preached  for  three  and  a  half  years. 

In  July,  1865,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Felch  took  charge  of  the  Clnirch,  and  con- 
tinued until  dismissed  in  1865.  During  his  pastorate  about  one-half  the 
congregation  seceded  and  formed  the  Congregational  Church.  Both 
societies  got  along  pleasantly  together  until  1879,  when  joint  services 
were  resumed  again  under  the  ministration  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tracey.  Mr. 
Felch  afterward  abandoned  the  ministry  and  went  into  the  insurance 
business. 

December  10,  1865,  the  Rev.  John  McLeish  was  engaged  as  "stated 
supply,"  and  preached  two  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Curtiss,  who  remained  three  years  and  six  months.  After  Mr.  Curtiss 
came  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Littell,  Rev.  T.  S.  Vail,  and  Rev.  S.  D.  Wells,  who 
was  succeeded  by  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  William  Tracey. 

Public  worship  was  first  held  and  the  Church  organized  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Pomeroy,  and  afterward  at  the  house  of  Hemy  L.  Crane,  in 
a  room  occupied  jointly  with  the  Methodists.  This  served  until  the  old 
public  school  house  was  built,  which  accommodated  all  denominations 
alike  for  years.  The  attendants  sat  on  benches  of  the  rudest  construction, 
and  the  minister  stood  at  a  table  equally  primitive. 

The  present  house  of  worship  was  begun  in  1849,  and  finished  in 
1851,  at  a  total  cost  of  $4,000.  It  contains  a  fine  bell,  and  a  pipe  organ 
costing  originally  $1,500.  The  Society  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 


THE  M.  E.  CHURCH  OF  LACON. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Lacon  dates  back  to  the  spring  of 
1836,  when  so  far  as  known  the  first  sermon  heard  in  the  place  was 
preached  in  the  unfinished  Jesse  Smith  mill,  by  the  Rev.  Quinn  Hall. 
The  families  of  Hartley  Malone  and  Henry  L.  Crane,  both  Methodists  and 
ardent  workers,  had  reached  the  place  a  few  days  before,  and  took 
an  active  interest  in  the  cause.  At  this  meeting  a  large  congregation 
assembled,  coming  from  the  country  round  about,  and  notice  was  given 


348  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

that  service  would  be  held  the  Thursday  following  at  the  cabin  of  James 
Hall,  east  of  Lacon,  and  the  Rev.  A.  E.  Phelps  would  officiate.  This 
worthy  and  pious  man,  of  remarkable  ability,  and  John  McMurtry, 
a  sweet  singer  of  Israel,  traveled  the  Pekin  circuit,  embracing  all  the 
country  between  Hennepin  and  Pekin  and  the  Illinois  and  Vermilion 
Rivers,  making  the  "round"  once  in  two  weeks.  The  Methodists  of 
Lacon,  requesting  the  appointment  be  changed  to  the  village,  on 
his  next  arrival  Mr.  Phelps  held  services  at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Ma- 
lone.  At  this  meeting  the  little  band  of  Methodists  handed  in  their 
"letters"  or  credentials  of  standing,  and  from  this  may  be  dated  the  first 
organized  class  and  society  of  the  place.  The  names  of  those  uniting  at 
this  time  were :  James  Henthorn,  Sarah  Henthorn,  Nancy  Henthorn,  Sarah 
Effner,  Jonathan  Babb,  Maiy  Babb,  E.  H.  Williamson,  Catherine  Wil- 
liamson, H.  L.  Crane,  Elizabeth  Crane,  Hartley  Malone,  Julia  Malone,  Wil- 
liam Hadley,  Sarah  Hadley,  D  M.  Robinson,  Elizabeth  Robinson.  James 
Henthorn  was  appointed  leader,  but  died  in  September.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond person  interred  in  the  new  cemeteiy,  a  daughter  of  Virgil  Lancaster 
being  the  first.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Henthorn,  H.  L.  Crane  was  ap- 
pointed leader,  in  which  capacity  he  served  faithfully  for  many  years.  He 
died  in  February,  1880,  and  with  a  single  exception  (Mrs.  Hartley  Ma- 
lone) was  the  only  survivor  of  the  original  class.  For  the  first  year 
services  were  held  in  a  frame  building  erected  by  Dr.  Condee  that  stood 
near  the  Fisher  Mill.  It  had  neither  fire-place  nor  stove,  yet  during  this 
time  served  both  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians. 

The  first  Church  was  erected  in  1837,  and  dedicated  in  November  by 
the  Rev.  Wm.  Cundiff ,  pastor.  It  served  the  Society  for  twenty  years,  or 
until  the  completion  of  the  present  fine  structure.  After  that  it  became 
a  workshop,  and  then  a  store.  At  present  it  stands  on  the  south  side  of 
Fifth  street,  and  is  used  as  a  merchant  tailor's  shop.  The  building  of  the 
present  Church  was  begun  in  1855,  and  dedicated  Sunday,  June  24,  1860. 
At  eleven  A.  M.,  Dr.  O.  S.  Munsell  preached  in  the  audience  room,  and  A. 
C.  Price  in  the  basement.  F.  Smith  preached  at  three  P.  M.,  and  Dr. 
Munsell  in  the  evening.  The  dedicatory  services  were  held  at  the  close 
of  the  evening  service. 

1838,  Z.  Hall  was  pastor. 

1839,  Lacon  became  the  head  of  a  "circuit"  embracing  all  of  Putnam 
and  Marshall  Counties    east  of    the    Illinois  River,   with    what  is  now 


THE   BAPTIST    CHURCH WHEN    ORGANIZED.  349 

Tonica,  and  Cedar  Point,  in  La  Salle  County — David  Blackwell,  pastor. 

1840,  David  Dickinson. 

1841,  C.  Atkinson,  J.  B.  Houts. 

1842,  J.  C.  Pinckard. 

1843,  "supplied.'1 

1844,  J.  F.  Devore. 

1845,  Francis  Smith. 

1846,  C.  Babcock,  T.  F.  Royal. 

1847  and  '48,  W.  C.  Gumming,  A.  D.  Field. 

1849,  Lacon  became  a  station,  B.   C.  Swartz,  pastor,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded as  follows : 

1850  and  '51,  L.  R.  Ellis. 

1852  and  '53,  Z.  Hall. 

1854  and  '55,  Joseph  S.  Frost. 

1856,  Ira  Norris  (supply). 

1857,  Ahab  Keller. 

1858  and  '59,  B.  Applebee. 

1860,  S.  B.  Smith. 

1861  and  '62,  C.  C.  Knowlton. 

1863,  J.  S.  Millsap. 

1864,  G.  M.  Irwin. 

1865,  '66  and  '67,  J.  W.  Haney. 
1868,  William  Watson. 

1869  and  '70,  Jarvice  G.  Evans. 

1871,  W.  P.  Graves. 

1872,  P.  A.  Crist. 
1873  and  '74,  A.  Bower. 
1875,  L.  B.  'Kent. 
1876  and  '77,  S.  Brink. 

1878,  A.  C.  Price. 

1879,  L.  Springer. 


THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH  OF  LACON. 

The  Baptist  Society  of  Lacon  was  organized  in  February,  1855,  under 
the  ministrations  of  Elder  I.  L.  Mahan,  of  Connecticut,  who,  guided  by 
Divine  influences,  selected  Lacon  as  a  field  for  his  operations. 

At  first  meetings  were  held  in  various  places.     It  was  nearly  a  month 


350  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

before  a  Baptist  Society  was  formed,  and  it  was  not  until  January  4, 
185(j,  that  they  decided  to  erect  a  church.  Before  this,  however,  unsuc- 
cessful attempts  had  been  made  to  collect  money  by  subscriptions  to 
procure  a  building  suitable  for  Divine  worship.  The  originators  and 
founders  of  the  Baptist  Church  consisted  of  the  following,  eight  in  num- 
ber: L.  Holland,  B.  T.  Baldwin,  Lucius  G.  Thompson,  James  McWhitney, 
Jane  McWhitney,  Esther  A.  Bauham,  I.  L.  Mahan,  H.  Jane  Mahow. 

The  latter  part  of  the  year  1857,  by  untiring  diligence  and  hard  labor, 
nearly  $4,500  was  raised,  and  with  this  the  Society  determined  to  erect  an 
edifice  and  consecrate  it  to  the  good  work,  trusting  in  a  Divine  Provi- 
dence for  aid  to  complete  it. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  Church  was  Kev.  I.  L.  Mahan,  who  succeeded 
in  increasing  the  membership  "  a  hundred  fold."  During  his  two  years 
pastorage  the  number  of  members  increased  from  eight  to  twenty  souls. 

During  the  first  two  years  eight  of  the  members  were  expelled,  and 
three  died.  Notwithstanding,  the  Church  was  in  a  very  good  condition 
when  Rev.  Mr.  Gray  was  called,  after  the  resignation  of  Elder  Mahan. 
Since  then  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson,  Rev.  A.  P.  Graves,  Rev.  J.  P.  Agen- 
broad  and  Rev.  D.  Shields  have  supplied  the  pulpit.  Since  the  first 
steps  that  were  taken  in  the  foundation  of  this  Society  it  clearly  shows 
that  the  overruling  hand  of  Providence  prospered  these  few  people,  and 
made  the  Church  what  it  now  is. 


THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

The  Catholic  Church  of  Lacon  was  established  at  a  comparatively  re- 
cent date,  but  previous  to  that  time  services  were  held  and  masses  cele- 
brated at  the  houses  of  individuals,  notably  that  of  Jack  Kelly.  The 
earliest  person  we  can  identify  was  Rev.  Father  Montori,  an  Italian,  who 
came  once  a  month.  A  lot  for  church  purposes  was  donated  by  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  place,  and  a  building,  part  frame  -and  part  log,  erected 
thereon,  and  served  as  a  place  of  worship  several  years.  It  now  forms  a 
part  of  the  Jesse  Whittaker  residence. 

Father  Montori  was  succeeded  by  Father  Rinaldi,  likewise  an  Italian, 
through  whose  exertions  a  frame  building  was  erected,  which  served  the 
purposes  of  the  Society  until  18(57.  He  also  built  the  Mrs.  Thompson 
residence,  and  lived  there  with  his  sisters  as  housekeeper.  After  him 


CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    OF    LACON.  351 

came  Eev.  Thomas  Lynch,   in  December  31,   1853,  who  served  until  his 
death,  July  15,  1856.     Following  him  came  Father  Francis  McGuire,  and 
he  was  succeeded  by  Father  Mehan,  date  unknown.     To  him  succeded 
-  Father  Thos.  'Ogden, 

"       Walter  H.  Power, 

"       John  N.  Harrigan, 

"       James  Wall, 

"       E.  Delihanty, 

"       John  Kilkenny, 

"       P.  Flanagan, 

"       M.  McDermott, 

"       P.  J.  Campbell, 

"       John  F.  Power,  the  present  incumbent. 

Under  Father  Kilkenny's  administration  the  building  of  the  present 
church  edifice  was  undertaken  and  finished  in  1867.  It  is  probably  the 
the  costliest  church  building  in  the  County,  and  cost  when  completed 
$13,000. 

Rev.  Father  Campbell's  services  were  terminated  by  death,  in  May, 
1877.  He  had  many  friends,  and  died  greatly  regretted. 

Under  the  ministration  of  Father  Power  a  fine  school  building  was 
erected,  and  a  flourishing  school  in  charge  of  sisters  of  the  church  estab- 
lished. 


THE  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

The  First  Congregational  Church  of  Lacon  was  organized  October  1, 
1865,  with  a  membership  of  forty  persons,  viz:  Mark  Bangs,  H.  C.  Bangs, 
C.  H.  Madeley,  H.  P.  B.  Madeley,  E.  C.  Turner,  Abigail  Turner,  William 
B.  Thomas,  C.  B.  Meyer,  Emma  M.  Meyer,  C.  Belle  Hamaker,  Mrs.  John 
M.  Shields,  I.  H.  Reeder,  Johh  Hutchins,  Helen  E.  Hutchins,  Samuel 
Pomeroy,  Susan  Pomeroy,  Mrs.  E.  A.  C.  Roberts,  Miss  Margaret  Madeley, 
E.  F.  Pomeroy,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Pomeroy,  Euphemia  Blodgett,  Mrs.  I).  G. 
Warner,  Martha  Mosier,  John  P.  Shepard,  Eveline  Shepard,  Mrs.  S.  J. 
McFadin,  Mrs.  A.  E.  Hutchins,  Miss  Anna  T.  Hutchins,  John  S.  Bane, 
Ephriam  Williamson,  C.  C.  Beadle,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Beadle,  D.  W.  Coan,  Mrs. 
A.  Stephens,  Mrs.  H.  F.  Akeroid,  Lucy  A.  Eckley,  Millie  P.  Ball,  Mrs. 
A.  Page,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Cook,  Minnie  Ross. 

They  erected  their  Church  building  during  the  autumn   of   the^  sam 

e 


352  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

year,  at  a  cost  of  $4,200.  The  lots  were  given  by  W.  E.  Cook,  and  were 
at  that  time  valued  at  $1,000.  The  house  was  dedicated  in  November  of 
that  year. 

The  first  Deacons  were  Samuel  Pomeroy,  Edward  C.  Turner,   Mark 
Bangs  and  Charles  H.  Madeley. 

Trustees — Mark  Bangs,  John  Hutchins  and  C.  B.  Meyer. 

First  pastor,  Rev.  S.  S.  Reeves ;  followed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stevens,  now 
of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Peoria;  Mr.  Codington,  a  graduate 
of  Chicago  Theological  Seminary,  who  received  his  first  ordination  here; 
Mr.  Williams,  from  Boston,  Mass.;  Mr.  Clifton,  a  graduate  of  Chicago 
Theological  Seminary;  and  Rev.  William  Tracy,  the  present  pastor  of  the 
Union  Church. 

The  Church  received  an  accession  of  about  forty  members  during  the 
first  year  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Reeves. 

The  succeeding  Deacons  were  Ira  Norris  and  John  Hutchins. 

In  April  1879,  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Churches  united 
as  the  Union  Church  of  Lacon,  upon  a  basis  of  Confession  of  Faith,  com- 
mon to  both  organizations. 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

In  1858  an  Episcopal  Society  was  organized  under  Rev.  Mr.  Lay, 
with  about  a  dozen  members,  and  a  liberal  attendance  of  outsiders.  They 
built  a  church  the  succeeding  year,  and  flourished  for  a  while,  but  most 
of  the  leading  members  moved  elsewhere,  and  services  were  not  sustained. 
The  building  is  unoccupied. 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 
MASONS. 


Lacon  Lodge  No.  61  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  part 
of  the  State,  having  been  chartered  October  4,  1848.  In  the  disastrous 
fire  that  destroyed  Cook's  block  all  its  records  and  charter  were  destroyed, 
and  the  only  information  attainable  comes  from  the  records  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  From  it  we  learn  that  William  Fenn,  Abner  Shinn,  Joseph  Ra- 


EARLY   NEWSPAPERS   AND   EDITORS.  353 

ley  and  Addison  Ramsay  were  charter  members,  and  William  Fenn  its 
first  presiding  officer. 

The  affairs  of  the  Society  are  in  a  very  flourishing  condition,  and  it 
numbers  about  fifty  active  members. 

ODD    FELLOWS. 

This  Society  was  organized  October  17,  1851,  the  charter  members 
being  W.  E.  Cook,  Silas  Ramsay,  Charles  I.  Wood  and  John  T.  Pride. 

The  oldest  living  member  of  the  organization  is  George  Johnson, 
whose  membership  dates  from  the  year  1852. 

There  are  about  eighty  active  members,  and  the  Society  is  in  a  very 
flourishing  condition.  In  the  fire  that  burned  their  hall  their  records  and 
much  valuable  furniture  were  destroyed,  but  all  their  former  prosperity 
has  been  regained,  and  contracts  have  been  let  for  a  new  and  better  one, 
and  the  Society  has  a  surplus  fund  on  hand  of  nearly  $2,000. 


THE  NEWSPAPER  BUSINESS  OF  LACON. 

The  newspaper  history  of  Lacon  dates  back  to  the  year  1837,  when 
Allen  N.  Ford,  an  enterprising  young  printer  of  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
entered  into  a  contract  with  the  proprietors  of  the  then  town  of  Columbia 
to  transfer  himself,  family  and  material  for  issuing  a  weekly  paper  to  the 
new  town.  The  proprietors  of  Columbia  possessed  both  enterprise  and 
intelligence,  and  were  quick  to  discover  that  printer's  ink  was  the  talismanic 
"open  sesame"  leading  to  success.  So  early  as  1836  an  effort  was  made  to 
start  a  paper  in  the  new  town,  which  fell  through,  and  negotiations  were 
then  began,  through  the  Rev.  Augustus  Pomeroy,  with  Mr.  Ford,  and 
carried  to  a  termination  satisfactory  to  all  parties.  The  conditions  were 
that  he  accept  a  bonus  of  $2,000,  subscribed  by  the  citizens,  and  publish 
for  them  a  paper  at  least  two  years.  As  men  of  all  shades  of  opinion, 
religious  and  political,  contributed  to  the  purpose,  it  was  necessarily  non- 
partisan. 

Mr.  Ford  having  accepted  the  conditions,  early  made  preparations  to 
depart.  An  office  outfit  was  p\irchased,  exceptionally  good  for  the  time, 
and  shipped  via  New  Orleans,  while  the  proprietor  and  his  family,  con- 
sisting of  himself,  wife,  and  two  little  boys  (one  of  whom  is  now  an 


354  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

influential  political  writer  and  the  other  a  practical  printer),  set  out  for 
the  West,  making  the  long  journey  by  railroad,  steamboat  and  canal. 

At  Alton  he  engaged  two  printers  to  assist  on  his  paper,  one  of  them 
a  brother  of  the  martyr  Lovejoy. 

It  was  seven  weeks  after  their  shipment  before  his  press  and  fixtures 
arrived,  and  finally  on  the  13th  of  December,  1837,  the  initial  number 
appeared,  christened  the  Lacon  Herald.  It  was  a  neatly  printed  and  well 
edited  seven  column  paper,  and  in  general  news  compares  favorably  with 
the  newspapers  of  to-day.  There  was  a  notable  lack  of  local  news,  an 
entire  absence  of  fun  and  facetiae,  but  in  solid  instruction  and  \iseful  in- 
formation it  was  the  equal  of  more  pretentious  papers  to-day.  The  selec- 
tions were  excellent — -particularly  of  poetry,  most  of  the  cotemporary 
gems  of  the  day  appearing  in  its  pages.  The  paper  was  printed  in  a  small 
building  standing  where  Brereton's  carriage  shop  now  does,  and  appeared 
with  greater  or  less  regularity  for  two  years,  when  the  proprietor  changed 
its  name  to  the  Illinois  Gazette,  and  espoused  the  Whig  side  of  partisan 
politics. 

In  1858-9,  owing  to  failing  health,  Mr.  Ford  sold  the  office  to  Joshua 
Allen,  a  young  printer  from  Hartford,  Conn.,  who  associated  with  him- 
self in  its  publication  J.  H.  Bonham.  Failing  in  his  payments,  the  office 
reverted  to  its  former  owner.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out 
Mr.  Allen  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Captain  Shaw's  company  of  the  Elev- 
enth Regiment,  and  fell  at  Fort  Donelson. 

In  the  later  years  of  the  Gazette,  Capt.  Henry  Ford,  a  son«of  the  pro- 
prietor, contributed  many  scholarly  and  well  written  articles,  in  the 
absence  of  the  editor  taking  entire  editorial  charge  of  its  pages.  He  is 
now  engaged  upon  the  Cleveland  Leader,  and  has  won  a  deservedly  high 
reputation  as  an  educator  and  journalist. 

In  I860  the  Gazette  passed  into  the  hands  of  Spencer  Ellsworth,  its 
present  owner,  who  changed  its  name  to  the  Home  Journal,  and  has  con- 
tinued its  publication  to  the  present  time.  The  office  is  equipped  with 
every  appliance  required  in  first  class  offices,  having,  steam  power  and 
cylinder  presses  for  newspaper  and  jobbing,  and  in  circulation  and  influ- 
ence compares  favorably  with  country  newspapers  throughout  the  State. 

The  records  of  the  Democratic  press  here  are  vague  and  indefinite  in 
spite  of  our  efforts  to  obtain  them.  No  records  or  files  appear  to  have 
been  preserved.  About  1850  Jesse  Lynch,  assisted  by  the  party,  pur- 
chased a  press  and  outfit  and  started  the  Lacon  Herald.  How  long  he 


EARLT?    NEWSPAPERS    AfrD    EDITORS.  356 

continued  in  its  charge  is  not  known,  but  it  afterward  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Robert  Burns;  he  gave  place  to  J.  W.  Mason,  and  he  in 
turn  to  Chandler  tfe  Golliday.  P.  K.  Barrett  was  the  editorial  succes- 
sor of  Chandler.  He  was  a  caustic  writer,  and  long  remembered  by  the 
citizens.  At  some  time  unknown  the  name  of  the  paper  was  changed 
to  the  Sentinel,  and  in  1854  John  Harney  became  its  owner  and 
turned  it  into  the  Lacon ,  Intelligencer.  Three  years  later  Deacon 
Ira  Norris  was  its  purchaser,  and  continued  its  publication  success- 
fully until  1869,  when  he  sold  to  William  Trench,  a  practical  printer 
and  editor,  formerly  connected  with  the  Peoria  daily  press.  He  was  a 
conscientious  writer  and  an  honest  man,  respected  by  all.  The  publica- 
tion was  continued  by  him  until  its  sale  to  Meyers  &  Bell,  when  it  under- 
went another  change  of  name  and  became  the  Illinois  Statesman. 

Mr.  Bell  was  an  able  political  writer,  but  neither  himself  nor  Mr. 
Myers  had  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  business,  and  wishing  to  dispose 
of  it,  a  purchaser  was  found  ostensibly  in  the  person  of  J.  L.  Mohler,  who 
bought  it  for  Spencer  Ellsworth,  and  its  publication  was  suspended.  The 
press  and  much  of  the  material  were  sold  to  parties  in  Galva. 

In  1867,  J.  G.  Ford,  a  Kentuckian,  brought  an  office  here  and  started 
the  Lacon  Democrat,  a  very  good  paper,  which  he  published  one  year, 
but  not  meeting  the  success  anticipated,  removed  to  Pontiac.  An  office 
was  subsequently  brought  from  Chillicothe  and  its  publication  continued. 

The  Marshall  County  bar  has  always  ranked  high,  and  individual 
members  have  won  eminent  positions  in  the  judicial  and  political  history 
of  the  State.  The  father  of  "  all  lawyers  "  in  the  place  was  clearly  Ira  I. 
Fenn,  who  as  counselor  and  advocate  maintained  an  excellent  reputation. 
One  of  his  first  students  was  Silas  Ramsey,  and  another  was  Mark  Bangs, 
at  one  time  Circuit  Judge,  and  for  four  years  United  States  District  At- 
torney. 

Another  noted  lawyer  and  upright  Judge  was  S.  L.  Richmond,  who 
wore  the  ermine  for  several  years,  and  won  a  high  reputation  for  judicial 
fairness  and  knowledge  of  law. 

Another  lawyer  with  a  national  record  is  the  Hon.  G.  L.  Fort,  present 
Member  of  Congress  and  prospective  Governor  of  the  State.  He  has  won 
promotion  by  fair  and  honorable  service,  .and  deserves  the  honors  thrust 
upon  him. 

Another  name  "honored  among  the  people"  is  John  Burns.     Fred. 


356  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Shaw  was  a  promising  lawyer,  killed  at  Donelson ;  and  Heniy  Miller,  a 
victim  of  consumption,  had  many  admirers,  as  likewise  did  Robert  O'Hara, 
a  young  lawyer  and  printer  of  stainless  reputation,  who  found  an  early 
grave. 

It  is  safe  to  assert  that  Lacon,  as  insignificant  a  place  as  it  occupies  on 
the  map,  has  contributed  more  public  men  to  the  service  of  the  nation 
than  most  places  of  its  size,  and  that  all  began  life  as  lawyers.  In 
proof  of  this,  during  its  brief  existence  it  has  furnished  one  Congressman, 
four  Circuit  Court  Judges,  and  one  United  States  District  Attorney. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion  Lacon  bore  its  full  share  of  burdens, 
contributing  liberally  in  men  and  means.  Company  D  of  the  Eleventh 
Regiment  Illinois  Infantry  was  mainly  recruited  here,  and  in  the  disas- 
trous fight  of  Fort  Donelson  many  of  its  bravest  men  went  down,  among 
whom  were  Capt.  Fred.  Shaw,  killed  upon  the  field,  and  Lieutenant  Wil- 
cox  was  dangerously  wounded  and  came  home  to  die.  Our'  limits  will 
not  admit  a  record  of  their  names  and  glorious  deeds,  and  to  give  it  of 
this  place  alone  would  be  an  invidious  distinction  we  care  not  to  make. 
A  company  was  raised  here  for  the  Seventy-seventh,  of  which  Robert 
Brock  was  Captain  and  J.  D.  Shields,  Lieutenant.  No  mention  we  can 
make  does  justice  to  their  bravery  and  patriotism, —  a  volume  would  be 
required  to  fitly  do  it. 


A    LOCALITY    RICH    IN    PRE- HISTORIC    REMINDERS. 


357 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

CROW    CREEK    AND    VICINITY. 

I  SETTLEMENT  was  made  in  the  vicinity  of  what  is  known 
as  Crow  Creek  at  an  early  day,  the  new  comers  being  at- 
tracted by  the  rich  alluvial  bottoms,  the  clear  springs  of 
water,  and  the  general  attractiveness  of  the  locality.  The 
hills  widen  as  they  approach  the  Illinois  River,  and 
leave  an  extensive  tract  of  rich  farming  land  in  the  valley 
between  them. 

The  bluffs  here,  in  addition  to  their  beautiful  con- 
formations, varieties  of  shape  and  commanding  prominence,  become  inter- 
esting from  their  historical  associations  and  Indian  traditions.  They  are 
covered  with  timber,  and  the  l&des  where  not  precipitious  are  lined  with 
Indian  graves,  to  which  investigation  has  assigned  a  pre-historic  age. 
Stone  vitensils  curiously  wrought  and  specimens  of  pottery  have  been 
brought  to  light,  which  scientists  agree  in  ascribing  to  the  artisan- 
ship  of  an  unknown  race  of  people  whose  rise,  existence,  decline  and 
final  extermination  remain  among  the  dim  uncertainties  of  ages  long 
since  past. 

When  the  first  settlers  saw  this  region,  fifty  years  ago,  there  were 
indisputable  evidences  of  long  continued  Indian  occupation. 


FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  first  cabin  on  Crow  Creek  stood  not  far  above  the  bridge,  where 
there  was  a  good  body  of  timber.  Daniel,  the  father  of  James  Sowards, 
cut  logs  for  his  house  there  in  1833. 

John  Hunter  lived  upon  a  claim  made  by  himself,  where  he  afterward 
died,  and  near  where  his  widow  still  remains,  having  sold  his  first  claim 
to  Samuel  Gibbs. 

Nathan  Owen  also  lived  here,  and  Samuel  Headlock  arrived  in  1833 


358  RECORDS  of  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

from  Walnut  Grove.  Bird  sold  his  claim  to  Obediah  McCune,  who  after- 
ward removed  to  Tazewell  County,  and  was  buried  there. 

Headlock  and  Frazier  Sowards  came  here  together. 

Among  the  settlers  of  the  vicinity  is  James  Sowards,  who  as  boy  and 
man  has  been  a  citizen  of  the  locality  since  1832.  He  drove  team  and 
made  himself  generally  useful  for  several  years  about  the  mills,  and  still 
remains  upon  his  farm.  His  recollection  of  the  early  settlers  is  that  Robert 
Bird  had  a  cabin  up  the  creek  where  the  McCune  farm  is,  before  the 
Owen  mills  were  built. 

In  the  spring  of  1831  the  waters  of  the  creek  and  Illinois  River  were 
four  feet  higher  than  they  have  been  at  any  time  since  that  date. 

The  first  school  house  in  this  locality  was  built  in  1835,  about  one 
hundred  yards  from  Samuel  Gibbs'  dwelling,  and  Charles  Richards  taught 
school  therein  during  the  winter  of  that  year.  Messrs.  Irwin,  Cummings 
and  Ogle  are  remembered  among  the  early  teachers. 

A  school  house  was  also  put  up  near  the  roadside  not  far  from  Owen's 
Mills,  at  an  early  day. 

THE    CROW    CREEK    MILLS. 

Timothy  Owen  came  here  in  1 834,  and  about  the  same  time  Nathan 
Owen,  Preston  Conley  and  William  Davis  made  claims  in  the  vicinity. 
The  Owens  built  a  cabin  on  what  was  afterward  the  Martin  place. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  and  the  winter  and  spring  following,  the 
Owens  and  Samuel  Headlock  erected  a  saw  and  grist  mill  not  far  above 
the  present  crossing.  The  saw  mill  was  first  completed,  and  attained 
an  excellent  reputation  and  a  large  patronage.  The  flouring  mill  was 
completed  in  1834,  and  did  excellent  work.  At  first  nearly  all  the 
machinery  in  both  mills  was  of  wood,  made  by  the  Owen  brothers,  a  third 
brothei1,  Roderick  Owen,  who  was  a  blacksmith,  contributing  such  iron 
work  as  was  indispensable. 

The  toll  for  grinding  was  one-eighth  of  the  product. 

For  sawing  walnut  lumber  the  price  was  75  cents  per  100  feet;  if  the 
millers  sold  the  lumber,  $1.50  per  100  feet.  Ash  lumber  was  about  the 
same,  and  oak  a  trifle  less.  After  the  grist  mill  was  completed  and  in 
successful  operation  the  saw  mill  was  abandoned. 

Neither  of  these  mills    proved   a   profitable  investments.     Although 


LACOK  TOWNSHIP — CROW  CREEK  AND  VICINITY.  359 

not  often  troubled  with  high  water,  or  other  hindrances,  the  mill  running 
continually,  there  was  veiy  little  ready  money  to  be  had,  and  the  credit 
system  which  extensively  prevailed  everywhere  required  a  large  capital. 
Much  of  this  credit  was  never  turned  into  cash,  either  by  the  Owens  or 
those  to  whom  the  mill  was  leased. 

Timothy  Owen  leased  his  interest  and  settled  upon  his  farm  in  Rich- 
land,  but  afterward  continued  a  partner  in  the  management  of  the 
mills,  until  in  June  185-,  when  they  burned  down,  and  as  there  was  no 
insurance,  involved  a  loss  to  him  of  about  $5,000. 

Mr.  Owens'  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Headlock,  made  a  claim  on  Crow 
Creek,  at  the  mouth  of  Dry  Run,  in  1833. 

In  1 834  Joe  Martin  put  up  a  mill  on  Crow  Creek,  about  forty  rods 
below  Owen's  Mill,  but  his  dam  backed  water  upon  the  latter,  and  he 
could  get  no  sufficient  head.  A  lawsuit  grew  out  of  this  affair,  and 
Martin  finally  abandoned  his  mill  project  here  and  went  farther  down  the 
stream,  where  he  began  again  on  a  saw  mill,  but  shortly  afterward  sold 
to  Samuel  Headlock  and  he  to  Dr.  Temple,  who  in  a  year  or  so  turned  it 
into  a  grist  mill,  ran  it  five  years,  sold  to  Temple  and  Hull  and  went  to 
Missouri. 

Part  of  the  dam  at  Owen's  Mill  was  on  Congress  land,  and  had  not 
been  included  in  the  lines  of  a  tract  entered  by  that  firm,  which  they  sup- 
posed enclosed  their  mill  site.  The  fact  of  the  defective  title  was  dis- 
covered by  an  unprincipled  fellow,  who  happened  to  let  it  leak  out  that 
he  intended  to  steal  a  march  on  the  Owens  and  get  to  Springfield  and 
obtain  the  title  before  they  knew  it.  A  race  ensued,  which  was  won  by 
the  millers. 

In  1840  Dennis  Barney  built  a  carding  and  fulling  mill  on  Crow 
Creek,  above  Owens'  Mills,  near  and  below  the  Gibbs  place,  he  having 
been  burned  out  of  a  similar  enterprise  near  Joseph  Babb's. 

THE    CROW    CREEK    COUNCIL. 

In  May,  1827,  rumors  reached  Washington  that  the  Indian  tribes  of 
Indiana  and  Illinois  were  uniting  preparatory  to  a  general  uprising  against 
the  whites.  General  Cass,  at  that  time  Indian  agent  for  the  north-west, 
proceeded  immediately  to  Peoria,  where  he  called  a  council  of  chiefs  repre- 
senting the  different  tribes  to  learn  their  grievances,  and,  if  possible,  avert 
threatened  calamity. 


360  RECORDS  of  THE  ot,r>Ett  TIME. 

This  council  convened  at  the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  June  21,  1827. 
General  Cass  made  a  conciliatory  speech,  promising  them  many  reforms 
and  urging  them  to  withdraw  from  their  alliance  with  the  Winnebagos. 
Presents  were  distributed  among  the  discontented  savages  and  pledges  of 
friendship  passed.  Girty,  the  infamous  outlaw,  acted  as  interpreter,  and 
it  is  said  many  of  the  presents  stuck  to  his  fingers  in  passing  through  his 
hands.  However,  he  succeeded  in  so  favorably  impressing  General  Cass 
as  to  receive  from  him  a  silver  medal  in  recognition  of  his  services  in  this 
important  council.  Twenty-five  years  after  General  Cass,  in  adverting  to 
this  council,  spoke  of  it  as  one  of  the  most  agreeable  events  of  his  life. 

FREE   STATE. 

The  region  round  about  the  mi  >uth  of  Crow  Creek  for  many  years  bore 
the  pompous  title  of  "Free  State."  The  majority  of  the  people  who 
first  settled  there  were,  as  a  class,  prone  to  be  a  law  unto  themselves; 
that  is,  they  did  not  puzzle  themselves  with  poring  over  law-books  and 
blindly-worded  statutes  to  ascertain  their  rights  or  learn  the  technical 
name  of  their  rights  and  grievances,  but  each  individual  took  his  own 
course,  and  depended  upon  the  strength  of  his  arms  or  the  agility  of  his 
legs  to  get  him  out  of  any  trouble.  True,  they  understood  themselves  to 
be  an  important  part  of  the  nation  on  election  days,  and  voted  early  and 
often,  showing  "Free  State"  to  be  generally  solid  for  any  person  or  party 
lucky  enough  to  win  its  supporf! 

They  did  not  acquire  their  highly  complimentary  name  from  being 
above  all  law,  however,  because  they  took  unto  themselves  the  right  to 
make  laws  and  execute  statutes  in  their  own  way.  They  elected  justices 
and  constables  enough,  but  not  so  much  to  enforce  the  laws  as  to  go 
through  the  forms,  for  every  man  of  commanding  muscle  was  his  own 
justice  and  constable,  judge  and  jury.  The  early  justices  who  held  high 
court  here  dispensed  justice  in  a  manner  from  which  there  was  no  appeal, 
because  an  attempt  to  appeal  from  their  decisions  was  a  direct  insult  to 
the  court,  amounting  to  an  impeachment  of  the  judicial  purity  and  legal 
qualifications  of  the  judge,  and  the  penalty  was  invariably  a  fight  or  a 
foot  race — the  appellee  pursued  by  an  indignant  judge  armed  with  a  club, 
his  insignia  of  office. 

At  the  sittings  of  these  early  courts,  black  eyes  and  bloody  noses  con- 


LACON    TOWNSHIP "FREE    STATE."  361 

stituted  a  regular  part  of  the  proceedings,  and  "The  Court1'  was  usually  a 
lively  participant  in  thesa  trials,  frequently  coming  out  second,  third  or 
fourth  best,  but  never  grumbling,  because  these  were  a  legitimate  and 
important  part  of  its  duties.  The  fees,  it  is  said,  were  always  payable  in 
whisky !  As  an  evidence  of  the  perfect  independence  in  these  very  early 
courts  from  the  cumbersome  hindrance  and  delays  of  the  law,  a  pioneer 
Justice  of  the  Peace  once  foreclosed  a.  mortgage  before  himself,  issued  an 
execution,  and  actually  sold  out  a  delinquent  debtor's  farm,  all  in  fifteen 
minutes'  time!  Where  could  one  have  found  a  Freer  State  than  here? 

This  highly  independent  community  had  a  prejudice  against  all 
gentlemen  of  the  cloth,  whether  lawyers  or  preachers.  They  managed 
their  law  suits  in  their  own  peculiar  way,  as  we  have  seen.  When  a 
preacher's  ill-fated  stars  sent  him  here  he  would  be  allowed  to  eat  and 
"bait"  his  horse,  if  in  day-light,  or  to  obtain  a  night's  lodgings  peaceably, 
but  any  manifestation  of  an  intention  on  his  part  to  preach  or  abide  among 
them  would  be  promptly  met  with  a  notice  served  by  the  authorities  of 
"Free  State,"  giving  him  twenty-four  hours  in  which  to  get  away!  They 
were  never  known  to  defy  such  a  notice ! 

Sometimes  they  did  not  deem  it  necessary,  or  were  unwilling,  to  try 
the  question  of-  their  misunderstandings  even  before  their  expeditious 
courts,  and  instead  referred  their  causes  to  the  ancient  legal  method  of  "a 
wager  by  trial  of  battle."  One  case,  that  of  "Ben.  Headlock  vs.  old 
Jeff  Sowards,"  is  remembered,  in  which  the  plaintiff  and  defendant  met 
on  the  open  plain,  near  where  the  present  school  house  stands,  stripped  to 
the  buff  in  presence  of  many  witnesses,  and  argued  the  case  for  half  an 
hour,  during  which  three  rounds  were  fought,  and  neither  succeeded  in 
proving  his  superior  claims  to  a  verdict  in  his  favor.  The  Court,  one  of 
the  Justices  of  the  Peace,  declared  that  they  had  "  no  cause  of  action,"  and 
on  each  party  paying  his  own  costs,  i.  e.,  the  whisky,  the  case  was  dis- 
missed ! 

During  election  times  "Free  State  "  was  the  scene  of  great  commotion. 
The  boys  would  vote  at  one  poll,  cross  the  County  line  into  the  next 
voting  place,  and  there  also  give  their  favorite  candidates  a  lift,  provided 
the  other  party  was  not  too  strong;  and  if  nearly  equal,  a  general  pitched 
battle  was  the  result  of  denying  these  extremely  free  American  citizens 
their  right  to  vote  early  and  often,  "a  right  inestimable  to  them,  and 
formidable  to  tyrants  only!" 

In  these  conflicts,  as  detailed  by  an  eye  witness,  besides  brawny  fists, 


362  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

such  weapons  were  used  as  clubs,  fence  stakes,  pieces  of  broken  rails,  hand- 
spikes, and  such  stones  as  could  be  found  lying  around  loose.  In  one  of 
these  skirmishes  a  then  well  known  young  man  of  that  section  had  his 
entire  clothing  stripped  off,  and  was  obliged  to  wend  his  way  homeward 
under  cover  of  a  horse  blanket. 

"Bill  Sowards,"  elsewhere  mentioned,  also  lived  here,  and  was  never 
an  idle  spectator  of  such  performances.  He  was,  in  fact,  an  active  spirit 
among  them,  and  when  properly  "liquored  up,"  usually  went  around 
"spoiling  for  a  fight"  and  anxious  to  "chaw  some  one  up." 

For  years  Bill  "ruled  the  roost"  like  a  tyrant,  but  at  last  met  his 
match.  Among  others,  he  had  deeply  insulted  George  Hedlock,  a  dimin- 
utive fellow,  but  full  of  grit,  who  determined  on  revenge.  Getting 
together  a  number  of  "the  boys,"  pledged  to  see  fair  play,  he  took  a 
handful  of  red  pepper  in  one  hand,  and  challenging  Sowards  to  a  contest, 
filled  the  bully's  eyes  with  the  pungent  powder,  completely  blinding  him, 
and  then  pounded  his  victim  until  the  latter  prayed  for  mercy  and  promised 
to  ever  after  behave  himself.  It  was  Bill's  last  fight,  and  he  became  a 
quiet,  peaceable  citizen. 

In  justice  to  Bill,  it  should  be  said  that  when  sober  he  was  a  generous, 
warm-hearted  man,  upright  and  industrious;  but  when  inflamed  by  drink 
his  brutal  qualites  were  developed. 


AN  OLD  PIONEER. 

Joseph  Babb,  an  old  pioneer  of  Lacon  Township,  came  to  the  country 
in  the  fall  of  1831,  and  erected  a  cabin  three  miles  below  town,  on  what 
has  since  been  called  the  "  Babb  place."  He  stayed  two  weeks  at  John 
Strawn's  while  selecting  a  location  and  building  a  cabin,  and  the  night  of 
moving  into  it  was  surprised  by  the  appearance  of  a  large  body  of  In- 
dians, mounted  on  their  ponies,  whose  camping  ground  he  had  unwit- 
tingly invaded.  They  were  returning  from  their  annual  fall  hunt,  and 
came  back,  as  was  their  custom,  to  spend  the  winter  here.  Mr.  Bald) 
having  seen  his  family  comfortably  settled,  returned  to  Ohio  to  close  up 
some  tinfinished  business,  and  for  four  months  his  unprotected  family, 
consisting  mainly  of  women,  were  exposed  to  the  ignorant  and  —  when  in- 
flamed with  whisky — infuriate  whims  of  three  hundred  savages.  Of  his 
six  children,  five  were  girls,  and  his  only  son  a  stripling  of  nineteen. 


LACON    TOWNSHIP AN    INDIAN    WAR    INCIDENT.  363 

Mrs.  Babb  was  an  exceedingly  timid  woman,  and  the  agony  and  terror 
they  suffered  cannot  be  described. 

The  life  led  by  Mis.  Babb  and  her  family,  alone  in  the  woods,  over  a 
mile  from  any  white  settler,  in  the  edge  of  this  hell  of  blood- thirsty  de- 
mons, was  fearful  beyond  description  and  how  she  passed  through  it  is  a 
marvel.  One  of  the  actors,  then  a  timid  girl  of  fifteen,  still  lives  (Mrs. 
Lot  Bullman),  and  to  this  day  her  recollection  of  the  terrible  scenes  seems 
like  a  kideous  nightmare.  The  days  were  haid  enough,  but  the  nights 
were  worse,  and  when  the  drunken  savages  grew  too  demonstrative  it  was 
the  mother's  custom  to  take  her  little  children  and  flee  to  the  woods  in 
the  rear  of  her  cabin,  where  sheltered  behind  some  friendly  log,  wrapped 
in  blankets,  they  lay  exposed  to  the  pitiless  cold  until  morning.  These 
orgies  were  of  daily  and  nightly  occurrence,  and  not  once  but  many  times 
did  the  poor  wife  and  children  lay  in  their  blankets  upon  the  bleak  hillside. 
Toward  spring  a  Mr.  Newton  Reeder,  learning  the  state  of  things,  volun- 
tarily rode  to  the  Indian  Agent's  below,  who  promptly  came  to  their 
relief  and  compelled  the  chief  jand  his  people  to  remove  their  camp  across 
the  river,  threatening  if  not  done  to  send  his  soldiers  and  shoot  every  In- 
dian found.  As  the  lands  had  been  already  sold  to  the  Government,  and 
the  savages  had  no  longer  any  right  to  remain,  they  had  to  comply. 

Nacquette,  the  chief,  had  seven  wives  whose  wigwams  were  ranged 
round  his  own,  and  who  reigned  supreme.  He  had  a  son,  a  fine  looking 
Indian,  who  desired  to  marry  Anna  Babb  (now  Mrs.  Bullman),  and  one 
day  presented  himself  before  her  father's  cabin,  arrayed  in  the  killing 
outfit  of  an  Indian  brave,  and  formally  proposed  to  "swap"  a  dozen  or 
more  of  ponies  for  the  comely  white  squaw,  and  great  was  his  grief  when 
his  offer  was  declined. 

| 

AN    INCIDENT    IN    THE    BLACK    HAWK    WAR. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  war  it  was  greatly  feared  by  the  settlers  of 
Hound  Prairie  and  neighborhood  that  the  Indians  would  pay  them  a 
visit,  destroy  their  homes,  and  massacre  their  families.  Joseph  Babb, 
who  was  a  most  courageous  and  energetic  man,  declared  from  the  first, 
however,  that  he  was  confident  they  would  not  be  molested,  and  en- 
deavored in  many  ways  to  imbue  his  neighbors  with  a  like  feeling  of  con- 
fidence. His  wife,  however,  was  a  very  timid  lady,  and  the  many  wild 
rumors  which  reached  the  settlement  from  time  to  time  tended  to  greatly 


364  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

excite  and  alarm  her,  and  in  obedience  to  her  wishes  he  removed  her  and 
the  children  from  his  own  house  to  Mr.  John  Wier's. 

At  Mr.  Wier's  quite  a  number  already  had  collected,  and  the  first 
night  the  Babbs  were  there  twenty-two  persons  slept  in  one  room,  which 
was  scarcely  larger  than  an  ordinary  sleeping  apartment  in  our  days. 

It  was  reported  that  the  Indians  had  appeared  in  large  force  some  dis- 
tance up  the  Illinois  River,  and  that  they  had  killed  a  Mr.  Phillips,  west 
of  Hennepin.  The  rangers  thereupon  hastened  to  the  scene  of  tht-ir  re- 
ported depredations. 

In  the  meantime  orders  had  been  given  that  from  sunrise  to  sunset  no 
guns  should  be  fired,  lest  their  report  should  create  unnecessary  alarm 
among  the  settlers,  and  it  was  determined  that  a  fine  of  five  dollars  should 
be  imposed  on  whoever  should  be  guilty  of  disobedience.  This  was  well 
understood  throughout  the  vicinity  and  everyone  was  exceedingly  careful. 

One  day  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  party  assembled  at 
Mr.  Wiers  were  suddenly  startled  by  a  heavy  discharge  of  firearms.  All 
were  seized  with  terror  and  fright,  for  it  was  immediately  supposed  that 
the  long  expected  and  much  dreaded  savages  had  come  at  last,  and  that 
scenes  of  havoc,  bloodshed  and  outrage  were  about  to  be  enacted. 

Momentarily  expecting  to  hear  the  fearful  war-whoop,  they  awaited  in 
terror  and  almost  breathlessly  for  the  appearance  of  the  painted  fiends, 
but  hours  passed  and  yet  no  enemy  appeared,  nor  did  any  alarming  sounds 
greet  their  ears. 

Evening  came  at  last  and  with  it  Mr.  Swan  and  Miss  Price,  both  on 
horseback.  All  rushed  forth  to  meet  them,  anxious  to  hear  the  latest 
news. 

Mr.  Swan  said  the  Indians  had  encountered  the  Rangers  and  fired 
upon  them,  about  sixteen  miles  up  the  river,  and  that  they  intended  to 
attack  the  settlement  that  night.  He  advised  everyone  to  flee  at  once  to 
Colonel  Strawn's  —  a  mile  or  two  distant — whither  he  and  Miss  Price 
were  going,  and  assist  in  fortifying  the  place.  With  this  he  and  his  com- 
panion rode  on. 

Mr.  Babb  and  Mr.  Wier  determined,  however,  to  remain  where  they 
were  and  began  to  make  preparations  for  defense.  Mrs.  Babb  was  a  very 
religious  woman  and  possessed  great  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer. 
Calling  Mrs.  Wier  to  one  side  she  whispered  to  her  and  together  they 
withdrew  to  the  woods  near  by,  where  they  remained  a  short  time. 


LACON    TOWNSHIP MISCELLANEOUS    REMINISCENCES.  365 

When  they  returned,  Mr.  Wier,  assisted  by  Mr.  Babb,  was  rolling  a 
wagon  up  against  a  window  to  still  further  strengthen  their  position. 

"  Joseph,"  cried  Mrs.  Babb  to  her  husband  in  a  peculiarly  joyous  tone 
of  voice,  "  you  need  n't  fortify  any  more  against  the  Indians,  for  I  have 
been  out  in  the  forest  and  on  my  bended  knees  I  have  prayed  to  my 
Maker  for  protection  and  He  has  answered  my  prayers,  and  told  me  in 
His  way  that  there  is  no  danger." 

B:>th  insn  gazed  at  her  in  surprise  and  reverence  akin  to  awe,  for 
her  cheeks  were  like  roses,  her  face  shown  with  an  unusual  light  and  her 
eyes  sparkled  with  a  singular  brilliancy.  So  impressed  were  they  bjj  her 
words  that  they  made  no  more  attempts  at  fortifying,  and  such  confidence 
had  been  restored  by  her  surprising  speech  and  appearance  that  all 
thought  of  danger  seemed  to  have  faded  from  their  minds  and  they  went 
to  bed  that  night  at  the  usual  time. 

About  midnight,  however,  they  were  awakened  and  again  startled. 
On  this  occasion  by  a  loud  knocking  on  their  cabin  door  and  by  the  bark- 
ing and  howling  of  dogs.  "  The  Indians  have  come  ! "  exclaimed  some 
one,  and  in  a  moment  all  was  confusion.  Guns  were  seized,  locks  were 
hastily  inspected  and  they  prepared  to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible, 
but  the  sound  of  a  familiar  voice  outside  soon  allayed  all  their  fears.  It 
was  Mr.  Swan,  who,  having  learned  that  all  rumors  of  the  presence  of 
Indians  in  the  neighborhood  were  false,  and  thinking  that  the  people  at 
Wier's  would  all  be  sitting  up  and  anxiously  watching  the  turn  of  affairs, 
had  very  considerately  come  to  acquaint  them  with  the  glad  tidings. 

The  firing  they  had  heard  was  done  by  the  Eangers  themselves,  who 
had  returned  home  about  three  in  the  afternoon,  and  having  been  absent 
when  the  agreement  about  the  use  of  firearms  had  been  made  and  being 
ignorant  of  it,  had  discharged  their  weapons,  as  it  was  the  custom  to  do 
in  the  days  of  flint-locks. 


WILD  HOGS. 


The  first  settlers  in  the  country  found  the  river  bottoms  abounding  in 
hogs,  and  when  a  diet  of  fresh  pork  was  Avanted  a  few  hours'  hunt  would 
yield  a  supply.  We  have  been  told  that  in  1825-6  a  man  named  Funk 
iised  to  drive  hogs  from  the  vicinity  of  Springfield  to  Galena  and  many 
escaped  by  the  way,  from  which  sprung  those  found  in  this  section. 
They  were  tall  and  raw-boned — regular  rail  splitters  as  the  settlers  said, 


366  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

and  as  ferocious  as  they  were  wild.  Numerous  instances  are  told  of 
settlers  being  "treed  "  by  them,  but  no  worse  accidents  happened.  One 
Billy  Marsh,  from  the  vicinity  of  Crow  Creek,  was  returning  home  one 
night  in  a  jubilant  mood  when  he  ran  into  and  wakened  a  brood,  which 
pursued  and  compelled  him  to  take  to  a  tree  for  safety;  and  once  on  a 
time  Sam  Headlock  and  Roderick  Owen,  going  home  from  Lacon  at  night, 
disturbed  a  drove  near  the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  and  were  compelled  to 
climb  trees  for  safety.  The  infuriated  porkers  gashed  the  trees  with 
their  teeth  and  tried  to  shake  them  down,  but  failing  in  this  they  retired 
a  few  rods  and  kept  sharp  watch  of  their  prisoners  until  morning,  when 
they  wandered  off  and  allowed  them  to  escape. 

A    DRUNKEN    INDIAN    RIOT. 

In  the  spring  of  1831  Robert  Bird,  Jr.,  and  John  S.  Armstrong,  now 
a  prominent  citizen  of  La  Salle  County,  nephew  of  Col.  John  Strawn, 
visited  the  camping  place  of  the  Indians,  a  little  north  of  where  the  Lacon 
cemetery  is  located.  As  the  visitors  were  entering  the  camp  a  violent  out- 
break occurred  among  the  red  men,  in  which  knives  and  tomahawks  were 
freely  used,  and  a  fearful  tumult  of  cries  arose.  As  they  passed  the  tent 
of  Nauquette,  the  chief,  he  rushed  to  the  door  and  exclaimed,  "Puckaehee 
(clear  out),  Indians  drunk,  Indians  kill  chimokamctn,"  (white  man).  They 
left  as  directed,  but  returning  next  day  found  the  place  deserted,  and  in  a 
rudely  constructed  pen  the  bodies  of  five  dead  Indians  lying  stark 
and  stiff,  killed  in  the  melee  of  the  day  before.  One  fellow's  head 
had  been  nearly  cut  off.  By  his  side  near  one  hand  the  carcass  of  an 
opossum  was  placed.  The  bodies  were  laid  side  by  side  upon  mats  made 
of  flags  from  the  neighboring  swamps,  with  pipes  and  tobacco  at  the  left 
and  a  knife  by  the  right  hand  of  each.  Blankets  were  laid  over  the  bod- 
ies and  the  heads  of  the  dead  were  all  turned  toward  the  east.  Around 
this  strange  grave,  on  an  elevation  a  foot  or  more  above  the  general  level  of 
the  ground,  there  was  built  a  pen  of  maple  and  ash  poles,  and  a  few  poles 
covered  the  same,  which  were  weighted  down  by  heavier  logs  and  stones, 
which  the  boys  had  no  difficulty  in  removing  to  get  a  better  view  of  the 
bodies,  some  of  which  were  hacked  and  cut  in  a  frightful  manner. 

It  appears  that  a  number  of  the  Indians  the  day  before  had  re- 
turned from  "Cock-a-mink,"-  — the  name  by  which  Peoria  was  known  to 


LACON    TOWNSHIP MISCELLANEOUS  REMINISCENCES.  367 

them — where  they  had  bartered  furs,  venison  and  fish  for  knives,  blankets, 
tobacco  and  whisky,  with  results  as  above  stated. 

FATHER    AND    DAUGHTER    FROZEN    TO    DEATH. 

The  remarkable  change  of  temperature  that  took  place  December  20, 
1836,  is  noted  all  over  this  section,  and  has  its  place  in  the  memory  of 
every  old  citizen.  One  person  describes  it  as  follows: 

The  morning  was  mild,  with  a  settled  rain  gradually  changing  the 
snow  on  the  ground  into  a  miserable  slush.  Suddenly  a  black  cloud  came 
sweeping  over  the  sky  from  the  northwest,  accompanied  with  a  roaring 
wind.  As  the  cold  wave  it  bore  struck  the  land,  the  rain  and  slush  were 
changed  in  a  twinkling  into  ice. 

It  is  stated  upon  the  authority  of  many  that  the  change  of  tempera- 
ture was  so  great  and  so  swift  that  "chickens  and  geese,  also  hogs  and 
cows,  were  frozen  in  the  slush  as  they  stood,  and  unless  they  were  extri- 
cated by  cutting  the  ice  around  their  feet,  they  remained  there  to  perish." 
It  is  reported  that  a  drover  on  the  large  prairie  north  of  Springfield,  with 
a  herd  of  1,000  to  1,500  hogs,  was  overtaken  by  the  sudden  cold  on  the 
prairie  eight  miles  from  town.  He  left  his  hogs  and  drove  with  his  men 
to  the  village  for  safety,  —  all  of  the  party  more  or  less  frozen  before 
shelter  was  reached.  The  abandoned  animals  piled  one  upon  another  for 
warmth.  Those  on  the  inside  smothered,  and  those  on  the  outside  froze; 
and  next  morning  a  pyramid  of  500  dead  swine  was  heaped  up  on  the 
prairie.  The  remainder  wandered  about,  but  eventually  perished  of  cold. 

Almost  every  locality  has  its  separate  story  of  suffering  and  exposure, 
which  will  be  told  in  their  appropriate  places,  but  the  crowning  horror 
happened  just  across  the  line  of  Woodford  County,  in  Black  Partridge 
Township.  A  laborer,  named  Butler  lived  there  his  family  consisting 
of  himself  and  wife,  a  grown  up  daughter  named  Margaret,  and  a  son 
about  ten  years  old.  They  were  in  very  destitute  circumstances,  and  fre- 
quently objects  of  public  charity,  the  neighbors  supplying  them  with 
clothing  and  provisions. 

That  fatal  afternoon  Mr.  Butler  and  his  daughter  left  the  house  in 
search  of  an  estray  cow.  When  they  started  a  light  rain  was  falling,  and  the 
g.-j  was  covered  with  mud  and  slush.  How  far  they  had  journeyed 
is  not  exactly  known,  but  from  circumstances  it  is  presumed  when  a 
mile  or  two  from  home,  on  their  return,  the  fearful  change  began.  They 


368  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

were  most  thinly  clad,  the  girl's  clothing  consisting  of  a  calico  dress,  a 
single  under  garment,  and  an  old  shawl  thrown  across  her  shoulders. 

They  traveled  as  fast  as  possible,  but  the  intense  and  piercing  cold  so 
affected  the  girl  that  she  could  go  no  further.  They  were  less  than  a  mile 
from  home,  and  her  father  removing  his  coat  and  patting  it  around  her; 
put  his  boots  upon  her  feet,  and  placing  her  in  a  sitting  position  against 
a  tree  he  left,  hoping  to  return  and  save  her. 

He  started  home  coatless  and  barefoot,  and  reached  a  running  stream, 
where  appearances  indicated  he  turned  to  restore  circulation  to  his  frozen 
feet  by  placing  them  in  the  water. 

On  the  following  morning  neither  of  the  unfortunate  people  having 
returned,  search  was  made  and  he  was  found  at  the  creek  frozen  stiff,  his 
feet  encased  in  a  sheet  of  ice.  The  girl  was  found  sitting  against  the  tree 
dressed  as  stated  and  so  frozen  that  it  was  impossible  to  compose  her 
limbs  so  as  to  fit  an  ordinary  coffin.  They  were  buried  a  couple  of  days 
afterward,  the  unusual  spectacle  attracting  people  from  long  distances.  In 
the  locality  the  noted  change  is  commemorated  as  the  "Butler  Snap." 


FIGHT  OF  HOOVER  AND  BOWLES,  AND  DEATH  OF  BOWLES. 

Cy.  Bowles  was  the  bully  of  all  this  country  until  the  advent  of  big 
Bill  Hoover.  He  came  from  the  vicinity  of  Hennepin,  and  numerous 
stones  are  yet  told  in  the  river  towns  of  his  fights  and  arrests.  He 
could  not  bear  a  rival,  and  when  Hoover  came  upon  the  scene  would  not 
rest  until  he  had  tested  his  strength.  Report  credited  him  with  coming 
purposely  to  provoke  a  quarrel  with  his  rival,  and  that  he  began  the 
contest  is  proven.  Hoover  sat  in  Viuecore's  saloon,  when  Bowles  entered 
with  gun  in  hand,  and  setting  his  foot  on  Hoover's  knee,  gave  him  a  push, 
upon  which  Hoover  remarked  he  "had  best  let  him  alone."  Bowles  re- 
peated the  act,  when  Hoover  rose,  and  catching  him  round  the  waist, 
doubled  him  down  on  the  floor  as  he  would  a  ten  year  old  boy. 

In  all  of  this  no  temper  was  exhibited  by  the  parties,  but  it  is  evident 
Bowles,  who  was  a  man  of  ungovernable  passions,  was  deeply  angered  at 
his  discomfiture,  and  going  over  to  Fenn's  store,  procured  a  heavy  dirk 
knife  and  hid  it  in  his  sleeve.  Some  one  told  Hoover  of  this,  and  he  was 
cautioned  to  beware  of  him.  Presently  Bowles  returned,  and  the  men, 
warily  watching  each  other,  began  bantering  for  a  fight  and  passed  out  of 


LACON  TOWNSHIP — MISELLANIOUS  ISEMINISCEMCES.  369 

the  door.  Going  out  Bowles  made  a  pass  at  Hoover  and  cut  him  in  the 
back  and  again  in  the  breast,  and  the  fight  began. 

Hoover  was  unarmed  while  his  antagonist  held  a  knife  in  one  hand 
and  his  gun  in  the  other.  It  was  the  aim  of  the  former  to  knock  the 
knife  from  Bowies'  hand  by  striking  his  wrist,  and  twice  he  tried  it  with- 
out effect,  but  the  third  time  succeeded.  Bowles  then  grasped  his  gun 
by  the  muzzle  and  aimed  a  fearful  blow,  which  Hoover  dodged  with  sur- 
prising agility,  recovering  himself  with  incredible  quickness.  The  gun 
was  broken  to  pieces,  and  Hoover,  warding  off  the  blows,  wrenched 
it  from  his  hands,  when  Bowles  ran  into  the  street. 

Prudence,  it  seems,  should  have  taught  the  man  the  futility  of  a  longer 
fight  and  warned  him  to  let  Hoover  alone.  But  he  was  insane  with 
passion  and  incapable  of  reasoning.  Procuring  a  stout  cudgel,  he  returned 
to  renew  the  contest.  Hoover  waited  until  he  saw  his  enemy,  and  then 
went  to  him.  The  latter  aimed  a  blow  with  his  cudgel,  which  was  turned 
aside,  when  Hoover's  weapon  descended  on  Bowies'  head,  cutting  it  clear 
open  and  exposing  the  brain.  He  lived  but  three  days. 

Mac  Robinson  was  Constable,  and  tried  to  arrest  Hoover,  but  the  lat- 
ter told  him  to  stand  aside.  He  went  to  Peoria  for  a  time,  but  the  Grand 
Jury  refused  to  find  a  bill  against  him,  he  returned.  In  1852-3  he  went 
to  California,  and  was  finally  killed  there  in  a  row. 

BIG    BILL    HOOVER. 

A  noted  character  here  in  early  times  was  the  individual  named 
above.  He  was  a  Hercules  in  form  and  muscle,  stood  six  feet  in  his 
stockings,  and  weighed  248  pounds.  One  who  saw  him  stripped  said  he 
was  the  finest  specimen  of  physical  manhood  he  ever  looked  upon.  He 
was  quick  as  a  mountain  cat  and  fearless  of  danger.  His  disposition  was 
quiet  and  peaceable,  but  he  was  addicted  to  drink,  and  when  in  his  cups 
was  like  an  enraged  tiger. 

At  one  time  while  living  in  Peoria  he  attended  Mabie's  circus,  and 
became  enraged  at  some  remark  of  the  clown,  whom  he  wished  to  punish 
in  the  ring,  but  being  prevented,  went  to  the  hotel  where  the  latter 
stopped  and  knocked  him  down.  Attached  to  the  circus  were  three  men 
who,  priding  themselves  on  their  fighting  abilities,  determined  to  have 
revenge.  Bill  had  gone  to  the  Franklin  House,  where  he  boarded,  and 


370  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

sat  by  the  fire  playing  with  a  poker  when  they  entered  and  asked  the 
landlord  for  their  man,  who,  suspecting  trouble,  answered  evasively, 
while  Bill  passed  into  the  dining  room  and  secreting  a  large  butcher 
knife  in  his  sleeve  and  further  arming  himself  with  the  poker  returned. 
"Have  you  seen  Bill  Hoover?"  they  asked,  as  he  entered,  and  the  answer 
was  given,  "That's  me.1'  Quick  as  lightning  came  a  blow  that  felled 
him  to  the  floor,  but  he  was  on  his  feet  in  an  instant,  knife  in  hand,  with 
which  he  dealt  his  assailant  a  deadly  blow  across  the  ribs  and  laid  him 
out.  The  next  one  he  stnick  across  the  face,  making  a  gash  that  cut 
one  eye  out,  laid  open  the  side  of  his  head,  and  nearly  severed  an 
ear.  The  third  he  knocked  down  with  the  poker,  and  the  battle  was 
over.  He  was  arrested  by  the  Coroner  and  discharged,  as  he  had  acted 
clearly  in  self-defense. 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION    OF   HENRY   TOWNSHIP.  37 1 


HENRY  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION. 

*HIS  is  a  fractional  Township  consisting  of  ten  full  and  eight 
parts  of  sections,  or  portions  of  eight  sections.  The  Illinois 
River  in  a  devious  way  washes  its  eastern  boundary,  and 
Senachwine  and  Whitefield  bound  it  north  and  west. 

Along  the  river  borders  it  is  low  and  swampy  and  unfit 
for  cultivation,  but  soon  rises  into  arable  table  lands  cap- 
able of  high  cultivation  and  yielding  large  returns  to  the 
husbandman.  This  portion  is  known  as  Crow  Meadow 
Prairie,  once  a  favorite  hunting  ground  for  the  Indians,  and  long  noted 
for  its  unrivaled  beauty. 

On  the  west,  a  border  of  low  wooded  hills  enclose  it  when  the  leaves 
are  out  with  an  emerald  setting,  while  on  the  east  the  bolder  bluffs  of  the 
Illinois  sweep  round  in  a  graceful  curve,  and  then  bend  away  again  to- 
wards Lacon. 

The  river  is  navigable  for  boats  of  the  largest  size,  and  here  is  located 
the  finest  lock  in  the  West,  built  at  a  cost  of  half  a  million  dollars.  The 
town  is  well  situated  for  business  and  commands  a  heavy  trade  in  grain 
and  lumber.  It  has  likewise  an  energetic  set  of  business  men  and  mer- 
chants, who  have  pushed  their  enterprises  far  beyond  the  xisual  limits  of 
trade  and  draw  traffic  from  all  the  towns  surrounding.  A  steamer  con- 
nects it  with  Peoria,  making  daily  trips  throughout  the  season  of  naviga- 
tion, and  the  Bureau  Valley  Railroad  connects  the  place  with  Chicago,  etc. 
The  first  known  resident  here  was  a  man  named  Hart,  who,  built  a  cabin 
on  the  present  site  of  the  town  in  1 830,  which  was  soon  after  deserted. 
About  1831  another  cabin  was  built,  near  the  site  of  the  old  mill,  north 
of  the  ravine,  and  for  some  time  was  occupied  by  a  man  named  Stacy, 
who  built  a  log  house  in  1832  on  the  site  of  Webster.  Elias  Thompson 


372  HECOfcDS   OF   THE   OLDEK   TIME. 

came  next.  His  house  stood  on  the  edge  of  the  ravine,  near  or  on  the 
ground  afterward  occupied  by  Bower's  mill.  For  a  long  time  it  was  the 
only  hotel,  and  occasionally  served  as  a  church,  the  proprietor,  in  addi- 
tion to  his  other  duties,  being  a  local  preacher  of  deserved  note. 

Mr.  Thompson  and  his  son  David  opened  the  first  farms  in  the  Town- 
ship, the  former  at  the  head  of  the  ravine,  east  of  where  he  lived.  They 
devoted  their  time  principally  to  raising  vegetables  for  the  "tavern." 

At  this  time  settlers  hugged  close  to  the  timber,  the  prairies  being  con- 
sidered too  bleak  and  exposed  for  cultivation,  and  only  fit  for  pasturage. 

Another  log  cabin  is  known  to  have  stood  under  the  river  bank  as 
early  as  1833,  and  was  occupied  by  a  hunter  named  Hatfield,  who  some- 
times served  as  ferryman. 

There  stood  a  small  log  building  near  the  corner  of  School  and  Front 
streets,  and  across  on  the  north  side  of  School  street,  nearly  opposite  the 
present  bridge,  stands  the  first  frame  building  erected  in  the  city.  It 
was  built  by  Mr.  Hale,  and  occupied  by  him  in  1835,  and  is  now  a  part  of 
Mrs.  St.  Glair's  residence. 

In  1831  or  '32,  Erastus  Wright  and  William  Porter,  of  Springfield, 
visited  this  section,  and  foreseeing  a  good  prospect  for  a  future  town,  made 
a  claim.  They  also  procured  a  ferry  license  from  the  Commissioners  of 
Peoria  County,  a  transcript  of  which  they  filed  upon  the  organization  of 
Putnam  County,  in  the  proper  court. 

In  1833  Anson  L.  Deming  and  Elisha  Swan,  of  Columbia,  also  made 
claim  to  the  town  site,  and  to  strengthen  it  procured  a  boat  and  contracted 
with  Major  Thompson  to  run  a  ferry  for  them,  and  Swan  made  prepara- 
tions to  build  a  store. 

The  rival  claimants  after  some  wrangle  concluded  to  jointly  lay  out  a 
town  and  divide  the  profits  on  the  lots  as  fast  as  sold.  They  sent  to 
Springfield  for  a  surveyor  named  Porter,  when  the  discovery  was  made 
that  being  school  land  it  could  not  be  sold,  so  Mr.  Swan  abandoned  his 
plans  and  returned  to  Columbia,  and  Thompson  became  possessor  of  the 
ferry  property. 

The  school  officers  soon  after  circulated  petitions  asking  of  the  Super- 
intendent of  Schools  permission  to  sell  the  Sixteenth  Section,  setting  forth 
there  were  fifteen  voters  and  fifty  white  people  in  the  Township.  It  was 
granted,  and  B.  M.  Hayes  appointed  to  survey  and  lay  it  out,  which  was 
done,  and  the  Trustees  in  their  report  say : 

"Lots  from  number  thirty  to  two  hundred  and  ninety-one  inclusive, 


THE    TOWN    OF    HENRY    LAID    OUT    AND    CHKISTENED.  375 

with  streets  and  alleys  within  and  thereto  appertaining,  and  the  public 
grounds  on  said  map  designated,  we  propose  as  a  town  by  the  name  of 
Henry,  in  memory  of  the  late  Gen.  James  D.  Henry,  deceased,  who 
gallantly  led  the  Illinois  volunteers  to  victory  over  the  hostile  Sac  and 
Fox  Indians  in  the  year  1832,  and  who  lately  died  of  disease  caused  by 
that  arduous  service." 

To  Hooper  Warren,  an  intimate  friend  of  General  Henry,  is  due  the 
credit  of  suggesting  the  name. 

A  public  sale  of  lots  was  held  a  week  after  the  survey  in  Hennepin,  by 
Nathaniel  Chamberlain,  School  Commissioner.  There  was  but  little  com- 
petition by  speculators,  the  lots  generally  being  bought  by  citizens  and 
settlers  of  Putnam  County,  at  prices  equivalent  to  $1.25  per  acre,  or  one 
dollar  per  lot.  When  the  real  estate  mania  broke  out  in  1837  these  lots 
were  snapped  up  by  speculators  and  held  at  high  prices,  and  the  growth 
of  the  town  sadly  retarded. 

As  before  stated,  the  first  farm  in  Henry  Township  was  made  by  Elias 
Thompson  and  his  son  David  in  the  spring  of  1833,  that  of  the  former 
now  being  known  as  the  "Davis  place." 

Sampson  Howe  and  William  Lathrop  came  in  1834.  Elias  Thompson 
soon  after  built  the  old  Henry  House,  and  had  a  small  garden  patch 
broken  the  year  previous.  He  subsequently  sold  out  and  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  died.  He  was  a  preacher,  bee  hunter  and  man  of  vari- 
ous trades. 

John  Hale,  a  preacher,  came  to  Henry  soon  after,  in  about  1835,  and 
did  some  work  as  a  carpenter  on  Thompson's  tavern,  besides  keeping  a 
grocery  store,  and  Mr.  Burr  or  Bradley  succeeded  him  in  the  latter  busi- 
ness in  1836.  He  afterward  went  to  Kansas  and  is  reported  to  have 
died  there. 

David  B.  Culver  and  Orson  Culver,  sons  of  Orsemus  Culver,  broke 
ground  for  their  places  in  1835.  The  Mallorys  came  very  early,  in  1835. 
Loten  Frisbee  in  1835,  and  Andrew  Styles  the  same  season.  Styles 
brought  the  first  threshing  machine  to  the  Township. 

In  1S3G,  William  Kidney  and  Simeon  Pool  arrived. 

George  Klein  arrived  in  1837,  and  Fred  W.  Bell  the  same  year,  as 
also  did  George  Hiller,  Fred  Reinbeck,  J.  W.  Jones,  Dr.  Templeton, 
Andrew  Styles  and  Anton  Appel. 

Valentine  Weis  came  in  1838,  and  Augustus  C.  Asherinan  the  same 
year.  Also  Anton  Sidel,  James  Dennis  and  Walter  Plato. 


376  RECOfcDS    OF   THE   OLDEN 

In  1839  Fred  "W.  Troenly  and  Balser  Klein.  In  that  year  lands  first 
came  into  market  here. 

We  cannot  give  the  year  in  which  Major  Thompson  built  the  "  Henry 
House  "  and  the  postoffice  was  established.  It  seems  to  have  given  the 
first  impulse  to  business  and  enterprise. 

The  first  prominent  merchant  was  a  man  named  Bradley,  who  came 
here  under  the  pseudonym  of  Joseph  Burr.  He  had  failed  in  business  in 
the  East  and  to  escape  his  creditors,  changed  his  name,  came  to  this 
locality  with  the  remnants  of  his  fortune  and  opened  a  business  in  which 
he  was  very  successful.  He  was  strictly  honorable,  and  when  sufficient 
means  were  accumulated  went  back  to  his  former  home  and  paid  every 
dollar.  Returning,  he  assumed  his  full  name  and  was  known  as  Joseph 
Burr  Bradley.  He  was  the  first  Postmaster  of  the  place  and  built  the 
first  warehouse. 

Another  firm  was  Lloyd  Brothers,  who  came  here  in  1849  from 
St.  Louis,  and  did  a  flourishing  business;  Harless  &  Lancaster,  Cheever 
<fe  Herndon,  Thomas  Gallaher,  and  Ben.  Lombard,  were  well  known 
merchants.  The  last  named  made  extensive  improvements  and  then 
removed  to  Chicago,  where  reverses  overtook  him.  He  now  lives  in  Gales- 
burg.  In  1837-8  a  blacksmith  shop  was  started  on  the  site  of  Lloyd's 
land  office. 

In  this  year  a  frame  building  was  erected  on  the  site  of  B.  Yeager's 
saloon  by  Sampson  Rowe;  and  the  building  known  as  the  Paskill  House 
was  built  about  1839. 

In  1837  two  accidents  occurred — that  of  Reuben  Converse,  who  was 
drowned  from  off  the  ferry,  and  a  Mr.  Lyon,  who  fell  from  a  hotel  win- 
dow and  was  killed. 

Hooper  Warren,  in  an  article  in  the  Gazette,  published  August  1 2, 
1848,  says:  "Up  to  1844  there  were  but  two  or  three  families  permanently 
settled  in  Henry,  but  now  there  are  twenty-four.  Here  are  four  stores 
at  which  general  assortments  of  merchandise  are  kept,  one  drug  and  medi- 
cine store,  one  lumber  yard,  one  shoemaker's  shop,  four  carpenters,  two 
blacksmiths,  two  coopers,  one  gold  and  silver  smith,  and  a  wagon-maker's 
shop  soon  to  be  built.  There  are  four  churches  for  worshipping  congre- 
gations, viz:  Methodist,  Episcopal,  Presbyterian,  Baptist  and  the  Protes- 
tant Methodists  building  or  meeting  house.  A  Catholic  Church  is  to  be 
erected,  also  a  Female  Seminary,  by  the  Presbyterians,  on  the  prairie,  one 
mile  north-west  of  town. 


THE   VILLAGE    OF    HENBY EARLY    IMPROVEMENTS.  377 

The  first  school  house  in  the  place  was  a  log  building  that  stood  at  the 
head  of  the  ravine  east  of  town.  It  was  built  in  1838,  but  the  new 
settlers  needing  the  services  of  their  children,  it  was  turned  into  a  smoke 
house  by  an  enterprising  merchant,  and  when  not  required  for  this  pur- 
pose was  used  for  religious  meetings. 

Dr.  Boal,  of  Lacon,  for  many  years  was  the  only  physician  for  all  this 
section. 

When  the  canal  was  opened,  in  1848,  J.  C.  Holla,  for  Wm.  H. 
Kellogg,  loaded  and  shipped  the  first  boat  load  of  grain  that  ever  left 
Putnam  Counly  for  Chicago.  Mr.  Kellogg  had  a  small  office,  and  bought 
grain  at  what  was  known  as  Hall's  Landing,  four  miles  above  Henry,  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  Shortly  after,  a  second  shipment  was  made  in 
the  same  direction,  for  tiie  same  owner. 

The  first  canal  boat  load  of  wheat  ever  sent  to  Chicago  from  Henry 
was  shipped  by  the  same  individual,  in  1852. 

The  first  flour  mill  was  built  by  Ben  Bower  &  Bro.,  in  1850.  The 
only  mill  for  grinding  corn  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  for  years  was  one 
built  in  1833  by  John  Hamlin. 

Henry  began  to  make  substantial  progress  in  1844,  and  in  1850  had 
401  inhabitants;  in  1851,  789;  in  1853,  1,009;  in  1854,  1,306,  and  at  the 
last  census  2,000. 

The  cemetery  of  Henry,  is  one  of  the  neatest  burial  grounds  in 
Marshall  County.  It  is  laid  out  with  artistic  taste  and  when  ornamented 
to  the  full  measure  of  its  original  design  will  be  exquisitely  beautiful. 
It  was  platted  by  the  Henry  Cemetery  Association,  under  whnse  super- 
vision the  various  improvements  have  been  made,  is  attended  with  care, 
and  is  a  credit  alike  to  its  managers,  to  the  citizens  of  Henry,  and  the 
Township. 

Henry  was  incorporated  as  a  city  under  the  general  act,  at  the  session 
of  1854. 

In  1858  Henry  and  Lacon  competed  for  the  location  of  the  Fair 
Grounds  of  the  County  Mechanics'  Institute,  and  the  former  won,  having 
raised  $3,600,  while  Lacon  fell  short  $500. 

Opposite  the  town  is  a  magnificent  lock  and  dam,  elected  by  the  State 
as  part  of  a  general  system  for  improving  the  navigation  of  the  river. 

Beside  the  magnificent  lock  and  dam  before  alluded  to,  a  costly  bridge 
spans  the  river,  with  a  high  embankment  reaching  to  the  bluff  a  mile  dis- 
tant. It  has  been  of  great  value  to  the  city,  opening  up  as  it  does  at  all 


378  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

seasons,  the  fertile  country  on  the  east,  that  otherwise  might  seek  other 
markets. 


CHURCHES. 

The  first  church  organized  here  so  far  as  can  now  be  told  was  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Devore  in  1840. 

THE   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

--^~  \ 

In  the  spring  of  1849  William  Wycoff  removed  to  Heniy,  his  wife 
being  an  active  member  of  the  Protestant  Dutch  Church.  In  the  fall  of 
the  same  year  they  were  followed  by  Richard  Lloyd.  Mrs.  Lloyd  was 
likewise  a  believer,  and  through  their  influence,  in  the  winter  of  1850  the 
Rev.  E.  S.  High,  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  preached 
once  in  four  weeks  to  such  congregations  as  came  to  hear,  continuing  his 
labors  for  two  years.  • 

In  1855  came  Rev.  John  Marquis,  and  steps  were  taken  which  resulted 
in  an  organization  August  17,  1855.  The  Ruling  Elders  were  Lucas  V. 
Hoagland,  James  Petiie  and  William  P.  Williams.  The  following  per- 
sons presented  certificates  of  membership:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wycoff,  Lucas 
V.  Hoagland,  Anna  M.  Hoagland,  Amelia  Hoagland,  Sarah  W.  Hoag- 
land, Harriet  N.  Hoagland,  Win.  P.  Williams,  and  Petronella  his  wife, 
Harriet  C.  Black,  Harriet  Robertson,  Abagail  Nock,  Elizabeth  Marquis, 
Clementina  M.  Marquis  and  James  Petrie. 

FIRST    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

The  First  Christian  Church  and  Society,  of  Henry,  were  organized  the 
9th  day  of  February,  1850,  in  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church,  in  Henry, 
by  Elder  S.  L.  Pervier,  with  sixteen  members,  namely :  Thomas  Harless, 
Henry  B.  Burgess,  William  Bell,  Henry  Harless,  John  S.  Scott,  S.  L. 
Pervier,  Isaac  Rickets,  Adna  Buckout,  Polly  Scott,  Viletta  Bell,  Abeliny 
Wiley,  Catharine  Rickets,  Polly  Burgess,  Clarisa  Burgess,  Rebecca  Harless 
and  Philena  Pervier. 

Their  place  of  worship  was  in  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church,  imtil 
they  built  a  substantial  brick  35  by  50  feet  (some  twenty-five  feet  from 
ground  to  roof),  which  was  dedicated  in  June,  1851,  Elder  Josiah  Knight, 
of  Ohio,  preaching  the  sermon  of  dedication.  Thomas  Harless  and  Rich- 


RELIGIOUS    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    HENRY.  370 

ard  Garretson  were  the  principal  contributors  to  the  fund  for  the  erection 
of  this  building. 

S.  L.  Pervier  was  the  first  pastor;  Thotnus  Harless,  Henry  B.  Bur- 
gess and  S.  L.  Pervier,  the  first  Trustess;  H.  B.  Burgess,  first  Church 
Clerk;  Thomas  Harless  and  B.  F.  Carpenter,  first  Deacons;  Win.  D.  Rob- 
inson, first  Collector;  Richarl  Garretson,  first  Treasurer. 

In  1852  Elder  Chester  Covell,  of  New  York,  was  called  to  take  charge 
of  the  Church,  and  in  1860  Elder  J.  C.  Goff,  of  Irvington,  N.  J.,  was 
chosen,  who  remained  some  thirteen  years  as  pastor. 

In  June  of  1852  this  modest  edifice  was  the  scene  of  a  nine-days  dis- 
cussion which  attracted  wide  attention  at  the  time,  the  subject  being  The 
Divinity  of  Christ.  The  participants  were  Revs.  Luccock,  of  Canton,  and 
Phelps,  of  Princeton,  111.,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  affirmative ; 
Rev.  Oliver  Ban1,  of  Aurora,  111.,  and  Revs.  H.  Summerbell  and  A.  L. 
McKinney,  of  Ohio,  of  the  Christian  Church,  negative.  A  reporter  was 
employed  with  a  view  to  the  subsequent  publication  of  the  proceedings 
and  arguments  in  full,  but  his  notes  were  never  prepared  for  the  press. 

THE   NEW   JERUSALEM    OR    SWEDENBORGIANS. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1857,  Rev.  J.  R.  Hibbard,  Superintendent  of 
the  Illinois  Assembly  of  this  denomination,  at  the  request  of  Charles 
Davis,  Henry  Vogelsang,  Joseph  Holmes  and  others  met  the  persons  de- 
sirous of  organizing  a  clmrch,  and  after  services  did  so  organize.  Their 
"platform"  as  laid  down  is  in  substance:  Belief  in  the  Divine  word  and 
the  ten  commandments,  and  doctrines  of  Emanuel  Swedenborg.  Their 
officers  were:  Charles  Davis,  Joel  Morgan,  Joseph  Holmes,  Trustees;  O. 
H.  Tyler,  Treasurer;  and  J.  W.  Taber,  Secretary.  These  officers  were 
elected  March  28,  1857,  and  Rev.  Thos.  Story  was  invited  to  lecture  once 
a  month. 

In  18(i5-6  a  church  was  built  capable  of  seating  two  hundred  persons, 
and  dedicated  July  30,  18(>(>. 

The  ministers  who  have  officiated  here  were  the  Rev.  Thos.  Storey,  of 
Peoria,  Rev.  A.  I.  Bartels,  and  R.  B.  Edminster,  who  officiated  nine  years. 
The  Rev.  O.  L.  Barler,  of  Canton,  next  took  charge,  coming  here  once 
each  month. 

THE    CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

The  Catholics  of  Henry  had  no  regular  place  of  worship  or  established 


378  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

seasons,  the  fertile  country  on  the  east,  that  otherwise  might  seek  other 
markets. 


CHURCHES. 

The  first  church  organized  here  so  far  as  can  now  be  told  was  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Devore  in  1840. 

THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

In  the  spring  of  1849  William  Wycoff  removed  to  Henry,  his  wife 
being  an  active  member  of  the  Protestant  Dutch  Church.  In  the  fall  of 
the  same  year  they  were  followed  by  Richard  Lloyd.  Mrs.  Lloyd  was 
likewise  a  believer,  and  through  their  influence,  in  the  winter  of  1850  the 
Rev.  E.  S.  High,  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  preached 
once  in  four  weeks  to  such  congregations  as  came  to  hear,  continuing  his 
labors  for  two  years.  • 

In  1855  came  Rev.  John  Marquis,  and  steps  were  taken  which  resulted 
in  an  organization  August  17,  1855.  The  Ruling  Elders  were  Lucas  V. 
Hoagland,  James  Petrie  and  William  P.  Williams.  The  following  per- 
sons presented  certificates  of  membership:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wycoff,  Lucas 
V.  Hoagland,  Anna  M.  Hoagland,  Amelia  Hoagland,  Sarah  W.  Hoag- 
land, Harriet  N.  Hoagland,  Win.  P.  Williams,  and  Petronella  his  wife, 
Harriet  C.  Black,  Harriet  Robertson,  Abagail  Nock,  Elizabeth  Marquis, 
Clementina  M.  Marquis  and  James  Petrie. 

FIRST    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

The  First  Christian  Church  and  Society,  of  Henry,  were  organized  the 
9th  day  of  February,  1850,  in  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church,  in  Henry, 
by  Elder  S.  L.  Pervier,  with  sixteen  members,  namely :  Thomas  Harless, 
Henry  B.  Burgess,  William  Bell,  Henry  Harless,  John  S.  Scott,  S.  L. 
Pervier,  Isaac  Rickets,  Adna  Buckoiit,  Polly  Scott,  Viletta  Bell,  Abeliny 
Wiley,  Catharine  Rickets,  Polly  Burgess,  Clarisa  Burgess,  Rebecca  Harless 
and  Philena  Pervier. 

Their  place  of  worship  was  in  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church,  until 
they  built  a  substantial  brick  35  by  50  feet  (some  twenty-five  feet  from 
ground  to  roof),  which  was  dedicated  in  June,  1851,  Elder  Josiah  Knight, 
of  Ohio,  preaching  the  sermon  of  dedication.  Thomas  Harless  and  Rich- 


RELIGIOUS    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    HENRY.  379 

ard  Garretson  were  the  principal  contributors  to  the  fund  for  the  erection 
of  this  building. 

S.  L.  Pervier  was  the  first  pastor ;  Thomas  Harless,  Henry  B.  Bur- 
gess and  S.  L.  Pervier,  the  first  Trustess;  H.  B.  Burgess,  first  Church 
Clerk;  Thomas  Harless  and  B.  F.  Carpenter,  first  Deacons;  "Wm.  D.  Rob- 
inson, first  Collector;  Richard  Garretson,  first  Treasurer. 

In  1852  Elder  Chester  Co  veil,  of  New  York,  was  called  to  take  charge 
of  the  Church,  and  in  1860  Elder  J.  C.  Goff,  of  Irvington,  N.  J.,  was 
chosen,  who  remained  some  thirteen  years  as  pastor. 

In  June  of  1852  this  modest  edifice  was  the  scene  of  a  nine-days  dis- 
cussion which  attracted  wide  attention  at  the  time,  the  subject  being  The 
Divinity  of  Christ.  The  participants  were  Revs.  Luccock,  of  Canton,  and 
Phelps,  of  Princeton,  111.,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  affirmative; 
Rev.  Oliver  Barr,  of  Aurora,  111.,  and  Revs.  H.  Summerbell  and  A.  L. 
McKinney,  of  Ohio,  of  the  Christian  Church,  negative.  A  reporter  was 
employed  with  a  view  to  the  subsequent  publication  of  the  proceedings 
and  arguments  in  full,  but  his  notes  were  never  prepared  for  the  press. 

THE   NEW   JERUSALEM    OR    SWEDENBORGIANS. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1857,  Rev.  J.  R.  Hibbard,  Superintendent  of 
the  Illinois  Assembly  of  this  denomination,  at  the  request  of  Charles 
Davis,  Henry  Vogelsang,  Joseph  Holmes  and  others  met  the  persons  de- 
sirotis  of  organizing  a  church,  and  after  services  did  so  organize.  Their 
"platform"  as  laid  down  is  in  substance:  Belief  in  the  Divine  word  and 
the  ten  commandments,  and  doctrines  of  Emanuel  Swedenborg.  Their 
officers  were:  Charles  Davis,  Joel  Morgan,  Joseph  Holmes,  Trustees;  O. 
H.  Tyler,  Treasurer;  and  J.  W.  Taber,  Secretary.  These  officers  were 
elected  March  28,  1857,  and  Rev.  Thos.  Story  was  invited  to  lecture  once 
a  month. 

In  18(!5-6  a  church  was  built  capable  of  seating  two  hundred  persons, 
and  dedicated  July  30,  18(>(>. 

The  ministers  who  have  officiated  here  were  the  Rev.  Thos.  Storey,  of 
Peoria,  Rev.  A.  I.  Bartels,  and  R.  B.  Edmiuster,  who  officiated  nine  years. 
The  Rev.  O.  L.  Barler,  of  Canton,  next  took  charge,  coming  here  once 
each  month. 

THE    CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

The  Catholics  of  Henry  had  no  regular  place  of  worship  or  established 


380  KECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

priest  until  about  1850.  Up  to  that  time  priests  from  abroad  came  occa- 
sionally to  say  Mass,  visit  the  sick,  bury  the  dead  and  perform  like  offices. 

In  1852  the  foundation  of  a  church  building  was  laid,  now  known  as 
the  German  Catholic  Church,  and  after  a  rest  of  two  years  a  fine  brick 
structure  arose  thereon.  It  is  35x56  feet  and  22  feet  to  the  ceiling.  A 
graceful  steeple  adorns  it,  and  its  interior  is  tastefully  ornamented.  It 
has  a  gallery  and  is  well  and  comfortably  seated;  it  has  a  good  organ, 
bell  and  altars.  Near  by  is  a  still  larger  building,  devoted  to  the  sister's 
school.  It  was  erected  not  many  years  ago. 

The  different  priests  who  from  time  to  time  officiated  at  Henry  for  the 
Catholics  before  and  since  the  church  was  built,  were  in  the  order  named : 
Father  Montori,  1848;  Father  Joseph  Staley,  1849,  who  came  pretty  reg- 
ularly till  about  1851,  when  Father  Kramer  came.  There  being  no 
bishop  at  Chicago,  when  the  Catholics  of  Henry  wanted  clerical  help  they 
had  to  apply  to  St.  Louis. 

Other  priests  came  here  occasionally,  among  them  Fathers  Lynch  and 
Powers,  of  Lacon.  The  resident  priests  were:  Father  O'Garry,  Louis 
Cartaville,  Lightner,  Koehne,  Reck,  Schreiber,  Albrecht,  Von  Schwerdler, 
and  Schamoni,  the  present  clergyman. 

In  1874  the  congregation  becoming  too  large  for  the  building,  and 
many  of  them  being  Germans,  an  arrangement  was  made  by  which  the 
two  people  separated,  the  Germans  retaining  the  building  and  paying 
$4,000.  The  Irish  portion  then  built  St.  Mary's  Church,  a  very  fine 
structure,  arid  a  priest  of  their  own  nationality  was  given  them.  The 
congregation  has  since  largely  increased  and  the  Society  is  in  a  flourishing 
condition. 

The  priests  who  have  ministered  to  them  are  :  Fathers  Heafy,  Mur- 
taugh,  Corcoran,  and  the  present  Rev.  Father  Thos.  Quigley. 


EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS. 


THE    HIGH    SCHOOL. 


The  fine  building  occupied  by  the  Henry  High  Sohool  owns  its  exist- 
ence to  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler,  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church,  who 
conceived  the  plan  of  founding  a  first-class  educational  institution  under 


HENRY ITS    EDUCATIONAL    FACILITIES.  381 

the  auspices  of  that  denomination.  He  traveled  and  lectured  extensively, 
meeting  with  success. 

It  was  finished  in  1854  at  a  cost  of  $28,000,  and  opened  the  same 
season  under  the  name  of  the  "North  Illinois  University."  Rev.  G.  B. 
McElroy  was  the  first  principal,  with  Goff  and  Fox  assistants. 

For  a  time  it  was  quite  successful,  but  the  hard  times  of  1857  came 
and  its-patronage  fell  off.  After  several  attempts  to  revive  it,  the  build- 
ing was  sold  to  the  city  of  Henry  and  devoted  to  public  school  purposes. 


ST.  MARY'S  SCHOOL. 


The  Catholics  of  Henry  and  vicinity  have  long  been  noted  for  their 
religious  zeal.  About  twenty-five  years  ago,  recognizing  the  importance 
of  beginning  an  early  training  of  their  children  in  the  faith,  they  started 
schools  in  their  behalf,  at  first  supporting  small  private  schools  in  different 
localities  of  the  town.  In  1859  Mr.  Oner  taught  a  select  Catholic  school 
in  a  private  house  a  few  months  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Hertzog,  who 
had  a  respectable  and  well  attended  gathering  of  Catholic  pupils  in  Weis' 
building,  a  few  doors  above  Warren's  grocery  store. 

In  1860  a  frame  building  was  put  up  near  the  German  Catholic  Church 
and  used  for  school  purposes.  The  attendance  was  large  for  some  time, 
school  was  also  taught  in  the  church  itself  at  times.  The  frame  building, 
originally  built  as  a  stable,  was  used  some  time,  xintil  the  applicants  became 
too  numerous  for  its  capacity,  when  the  project  was  started  of  erecting  a 
fine  Catholic  primary  school  which  should  be  a  credit  to  the  place  and  ac- 
comodate  that  portion  of  the  rapidly  increasing  population  holding  to  this 
faith. 

A  large  two-story  brick  structure  was  built  near  the  Church,  dedicated 
to  this  purpose,  and  taken  in  charge  by  the  sisters  of  the  Notre  Dame  So- 
ciety of  Milwaukee,  who  had  conducted  the  former  schools  in  the  old  frame 
building.  These  zealous  sisters  relinquished  the  charge  to  "  The  Sisters  of 
the  Precious  Blood"  in  1871,  who  now  manage  the  educational  interests 
of  the  Catholics  in  a  highly  creditable  manner,  the  school  being  very  pop- 
ular. The  building  is  substantially  built  and  well  furnished,  costing 
about  $5,000.  The  school  is  simply  an  elementary  one,  where  the  rudi- 
ments of  the  English  and  German  languages  are  taught,  the  latter  to  such 
as  wish  it.  It  is  patronized  by  about  ninety  families,  mainly  the  member- 
ship of  the  German  Church,  and  is  under  the  general  superentendence  of 


382  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Rev.  Father  Schamoni,  the  resident  priest.     A  neat  and  comfortable  par- 
sonage stands  in  a  large  lot  near  the  church  and  school. 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 

The  Masonic  organization  of  Henry  is  a  large  and  influential  society, 
and  is  in  excellent  working  order.  The  first  steps  toward  a  lodge  here 
were  taken  in  1857.  October  25,  of  that  year,  a  dispensation  was  obtained 
from  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  1 1 9th  Society  of  their  Order  in  the  State 
was  duly  instituted,  with  the  following  officers:  Amos  Bonney,  W.  M.; 
W.  J.  Culton,  S.  W.;  H.  H.  Graves,  J.  W. 

The  Masters  of  Henry  Lodge  since  its  organization  in  1851  embrace 
the  following:  1851,  Amos  Bonney;  1852,  Daniel  McNeal,  M.  D.; 
1853-4,  W.  B.  Smith;  1855,  John  J.  Higgins;  1856,  W.  B.  Smith;  1857, 
J.  W.  Sinclair;  1858-9,  G.  Frank  Lloyd;  I860,  G.  F.  Harpst;  1861-2-3, 
W.  B.  Smith;  1864,  Lewis  Kaufman;  1865-6-7,  G.  F.  Harpst;  1868,  S. 
C.  Hyndshaw;  1869-70-71-72-73,  James  G.  Hull;  1864,  J.  K.  McCon- 
nell;  1875,  J.  D.  Culton;  1876-7-8-9,  J.  C.  Wooley. 

Until  recently  Marshall  Lodge,  No.  63,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  occupied  the  same 
room,  but  retired  in  the  fall  of  1878,  when  the  Masons  re-arranged  and 
dressed  their  hall  anew,  at  an  expense  of  several  hundred  dollars,  and  now 
are  very  elegantly  located.  The  hall  is  draped  in  blue,  the  ceilings,  walls, 
curtains,  carpet,  chairs,  etc.,  being  also  of  that  color.  The  carpets  were 
made  to  order,  and  covered,  as  are  the  curtains  and  walls,  with  rich  and 
tasteful  emblems,  peculiar  to  the  fraternity^ 


NEWSPAPERS  IN  HENRY. 

The  first  newspaper  in  Henry  was  the  Henry  Courier,  commenced  by 
Robert  H.  Ruggles,  December  23,  1852.  The  material  he  brought  up  by 
steamboat  from  Edwardsville,  Madison  County,  in  this  State.  Its  size 
was  a  five  column  folio.  Afterward  it  was  enlarged  to  an  eight  column 
paper,  and  again  reduced  to  a  six  column.  July  1,  1862,  the  material  and 
good  will  was  sold  to  Jonas  D.  Woodward,  as  proprietor,  and  until  June, 
1866,  was  edited  by  C.  S.  &  J.  D.  Woodward. 

The  Marshall  County  Democrat  was  commenced  April  11,  1863,  by 
Charles  R.  Fisk;  in  July  or  August,  1864,  F.  M.  Mills  become  purchaser, 


HENRY PUBLICATIONS  AND  EDITORS.  383 

continuing  the' paper  but  a  few  months.  The  material  of  this  office  was 
purchased  by  Spencer  S.  Burdick,  in  April,  1865,  who  commenced  the 
publication  of  the  Marshall  County  Telegraph,  a  seven  column  folio.  In 
September,  same  year,  George  Burt,  Jr.,  purchased  an  interest,  the  firm 
name  being  Burdick  &,  Burt. 

In  June,  1866,  a  consolidation  of  the  Henry  Courier  and  the  Marshall 
County  Telegraph  was  effected  and  the  paper  changed  to  the  Marshall 
County  Republican,  with  S.  S.  Burdick,  Oreo.  Burt,  Jr.,  and  J.  D.  Wood- 
ward as  proprietors,  under  the  firm  name  of  Burdick,  Burt  <fe  Woodward 
(the  interest  of  C.  S.  Woodward  being  purchased  by  the  new  firm.) 
Three  months  later  the  interest  of  S.  S.  Burdick  was  purchased  by  the 
other  partners,  Burt  <fe  Woodward  continuing  the  Republican  until  Jan- 
uary, 1869,  when  Geo.  Burt,  Jr.,  became  sole  owner,  who  is  still  its  pub- 
lisher. At  one  time  the  paper  Avas  run  as  the  Marshall  County  Republi- 
can and  Putnam  County  Register.  The  name  was  finally  changed  to 
the  Henry  Republican.  It  has  an  engraved  head,  giving  an  accurate 
view  of  the  Illinois  River,  the  bridge,  and  lock  and  dam  at  this  place.  It 
is  a  six  column  quarto,  and  furnishes  more  reading  matter  than  any  of  its 
county  cotemporaries. 

The  Republican  is  equipped  with  a  Campbell  cylinder  press  and  other 
material  necessary  to  the  outfit  of  a  first  class  job  and  newspaper  office. 
As  a  local  newspaper  it  is  unsurpassed,  and  in  circulation,  business  and 
influence  it  leads  most  country  papers  in  the  State. 

The  Henry  Bulletin,  a  small  paper,  was  published  here  several  years. 

The  Reformed  Missionary,  edited  by  Rev.  C.  Coit,  was  printed  at  the 
Republican  office  for  some  time ;  it  was  afterward  moved  away,  and  is  now 
defunct. 

The  Coming  Woman,  an  eight  page  paper,  was  printed  at  the  Repub- 
lican office  for  a  couple  of  years;  editress,  Mrs.  M.  E.  De  Geer.  It  was 
afterward  moved  to  Chicago,  and  is  discontinued. 

The  Normal  Institute,  an  educational  paper,  is  now  being  printed  at 
the  Republican  office,  Prof.  J.  A.  Holmes,  editor.  It  is  an  eight  page 
journal,  and  devoted  to  the  interests  of  school  teachers. 


CROW  MEADOW  PRAIRIE. 
At  the  north-west  corner  of   this  Township  there    lies  a  beautiful 


384  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

and  fertile  region  known  as  Crow  Prairie.  Its  first  settlers  were  Benaijah 
and  Russell  Mallory,  who  made  a  claim  here  in  1834  and  put  up  the  first 
cabin,  and  sold  to  Col.  Snyder  in  1835. 

In  the  latter  year  Loton  Frisbee  came,  and  after  a  short  time  opened  his 
farm,  near  the  corner  of  the  town  at  the  edge  of  the  timber.  At  that  time 
there  was  neither  fence  nor  house  on  the  prairie,  save  Mallory's  or  Snyders, 
a.nd  no  frame  house  in  Henry.  David  and  Orsemus  Culver  had  begun 
breaking  ground  at  the  lower  end  of  the  prairie,  and  there  were  cabins  at 
Boiiharn's  and  Rowe's. 

There  were  no  settlers  on  the  west  side  of  this  prairie  near  Frisbee's 
till  1838,  when  Jerry  Jones  came.  A  man  named  John  Smith  made  a 
claim  in  1835-6  to  lands  afterward  owned  by  Ward  and  Wilson,  latterly 
by  Mr.  Emerick. 

Mr.  Templeton  built  a  sod  house  in  1837.  Mr.  Snyder's  was  the  first 
frame  house  built  on  the  prairie.  The  pioneer  school  house  was  built  of 
logs  in  1838,  and  was.  known  as  the  "Snyder  School  House."  It  was 
replaced  by  a  frame  structure  in  1848-9.  Two  of  Mr.  Lyons'  daughters 
were  among  the  earliest  teachers  in  the  old  building,  where  Preacher 
Devore  and  Father  Cummiugs  held  forth  to  the  Methodists  and  Elder 
Chenowith  to  the  Baptists. 

The  first  marriage  was  that  of  one  of  Mr.  Snyder  to  Miss  Lyons. 

The  first  child  born  on  Crow  Prairie  was  Hiram,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Loton  Frisbee,  July  25,  1836,  and  about  the  same  time  but  shortly  after, 
one.  was  born  to  Mr.  Kellogg. 

The  prairie  was  named  from  the  plentifulness  of  crows,  but  why  they 
were  more  numerous  here  than  elsewhere  is  not  known. 

During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1838,  billious  fevers  and  ague  pre- 
vailed to  a  fearful  extent,  and  the  few  well  persons,  especially  among 
the  pioneer  women,  found  their  time  and  services  constantly  in  demand. 
Mrs.  Frisbee  and  Mrs.  Williams  were  constantly  "on  the  go"  on  errands 
of  meicy  to  the  families  of  their  neighbors,  and  neighbors  in  those  days 
sometimes  lived  five  to  seven  miles  apart. 

Between  Henry  and  Webster  is  an  old  graveyard,  where  lies  interred 
Mrs.  Dennis,  Mr.  Plato,  Mr.  Latta,  Sallie  Snyder  and  others. 

DORCHESTER. 

This  town,  whose  existence  is  only  remembered  by  the  early  settlers, 


DORCHESTER WEBSTER HOOPER    WARREN.  385 

was  laid  out  by  Stephen  F.  Gale,  July  26,  1834,  Wm.  H.  Adams  being 
the  surveyor.  The  land  in  the  vicinity  had  been  purchased  by  others, 
when  one  Richareson,  a  lawyer  of  Chicago,  and  a  German  named  Ginder, 
bargained  for  the  site  and  laid  out  the  town,  expecting  to  realize  from  the 
sale  of  lots  sufficient  to  make  all  concerned  wealthy.  No  lots  were  sold 
and  the  property  reverted  to  its  original  possessors. 

WEBSTER. 

This  was  another  paper  town  of  great  promise  and  small  perfomance. 
A  man  named  Lorenzo  Stacy,  said  to  have  built  the  first  cabin  in  Henry, 
is  known  to  have  lived  here  in  1830-31.  A  man  known  as  Esq.  Dennis 
also  lived  on  the  ground,  and  burned  his  wife  here,  whose  grave  can  still 
be  seen.  About  1836-7  a  fractional  quarter  section  was  laid  off  into  lots 
by  Robert  Latta,  Alvin  Dascomb,  Walton  Plato  and  Maj.  P.  McAllister, 
and  named  Webster  in  honor  of  the  great  expounder.  It  occupied  a  beau- 
tiful plateau  two  miles  above  Henry,  and  had  a  very  convenient  steam- 
boat landing  accessible  at  all  seasons.  The  projectors  of  the  town  were 
energetic  business  men,  and  lots  sold  readily.  A  saw  and  grist  mill  to  be 
propelled  by  steam  were  contracted  for,  and  machinery  brought  upon  the 
ground,  but  sickness  of  the  proprietors  suspended  operations  and  they 
were  never  completed.  A  blacksmith  shop  was  set  up,  a  dozen  cabins 
erected  and  a  small  store  opened  by  Josiah  Hayes,  better  known  from  his 
diminutive  size  and  certain  characteristics  as  "  Little  Hayes."  He  after- 
ward moved  to  Olathe,  Kansas,  and,  as  Shakspeare  says,  "  achieved  great- 
ness," becoming  a  Colonel  in  the  Union  army  and  Secretary  of  State.  His 
first  wife  was  a  Miss  Fanning  and  his  second  a  Miss  Nancy  Potter, 
a  school  teacher.  The  death  of  Col.  Latta  gave  the  place  its  finishing 
blow.  The  settlers  left  and  the  cabins  were  removed  elsewhere.  In  1837 
it  was  honored  with  a  call  from  the  "  god-like  Daniel,"  whose  critcism  up- 
on it  was  that  it  was  "  a  good  place  for  a  farm,  but  had  been  badly  dam- 
aged by  driving  sticks  (corner  stakes)  into  it."  Some  slight  depressions 
in  the  soil  are  all  that  remain  of  this  supposed  rival  of  Henry. 


HOOPER  WARREN. 

f 

Among  the  many  distinguished  individuals  who  in  early  times  e^poiised 
the  anti-slavery  cause,  one  who  deserves  especial  mention  because  of  his 


386  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

devotion  and  zeal  was  Hooper  Warren,  of  Henry.  He  was  a  co-worker 
with  the  leading  spirits  of  the  country  in  behalf  of  freedom,  and  by  a  long 
life  of  useful,  though  to  himself  most  unprofitable  labor,  earned  a  high 
niche  in  the  temple  of  fame. 

Mr.  "Warren  was  born  at  Walpole,  N.  H.,  in  May,  1 790,  and  brought 
up  in  Woodstock,  Vt.,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  printer.  In  1817, 
when  twenty-seven  years  old,  he  removed  to  St.  Louis,  and  in  1819  estab- 
lished himself  at  Edwards ville,  Madison  County,  111.,  where  he  started 
the  Edwardsville  Spectator,  the  third  newspaper  published  in  the  State. 
It  was  a  fearless  abolition  organ,  assailing  the  slavery  question  from  that 
standpoint  in  front  and  rear,  and  soon  obtained  prominence  and  influence, 
not  only  in  this  State,  but  in  the  entire  North.  No  newspaper  in  the 
Union  was  more  liberally  quoted  from,  either  to  criticise  and  condemn 
or  appi'ove  and  applaud  its  doctrines.  Hitherto  the  few  publications 
which  had  objected  to  slavery  had  been  mildly  expostulatory  with 
their  Southern  brethren,  and  touched  the  vexed  subject  in  a  gingerly  and 
apologetic  manner,  while  his  was  boldly  aggressive,  denouncing  not  only 
the  system  itself,  but  all  who  upheld  it.  All  manner  of  personal  abxise 
and  ill-treatment  fell  to  his  lot  in  the  hot  pro-slavery  section  around  him, 
and  even  personal  violence  was  not  only  repeatedly  threatened  by  known 
as  well  as  anonymous  persons,  but  actually  committed  upon  him.  At 
length  finding  himself  too  far  from  the  capital  of  the  State,  the  seat  of 
news  and  headquarters  of  politicians,  in  1825  he  removed  his  paper  to 
Springfield  and  called  it  the  Sangamo  Spectator.  It  was  the  pioneer 
paper  of  that  region,  and  its  publication  was  continued  with  varying  suc- 
cess about  three  years. 

In  1828  he  went  to  the  lead  mines,  then  the  great  center  of  attraction 
of  the  country,  and  established  the  Galena  Advertiser,  where  he  remained 
three  years. 

In  1831  he  removed  to  Hennepin,  the  county  seat  of  Putnam  County, 
and  there  accepted  the  position  of  County  and  Circuit  Clerk,  declining  the 
offer  of  a  similar  position  at  Chicago,  as  he  deemed  the  prospects  of  the 
the  town  at  the  supposed  head  of  navigation  on  the  Illinois,  immeasurably 
superior  to  those  of  the  dingy  mud-hole  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Michigan. 

About  the  same  time  the  citizens  of  Springfield,  remembering  him  as 
a  fearless  and  able  editor,  offered  him  $750  in  cash  to  return  and  conduct 
a  newspaper,  but  this  offer  he  also  declined. 

In  1835  he  changed  his  location  to  Chicago,  and  there  founded  the 


INCIDENTS    AND    ITEMS    OF    INTEREST.  387 

Commercial  Advertiser,  issuing  the  first  numbers  October  11,  1836.  He 
continued  his  connection  therewith  about  a  year,  when  he  returned  to 
Hennepin  in  the  fall  of  1838,  and  in  the  spring  of  1839  removed  to  Henry, 
where  he  afterward,  till  his  death,  made  his  home.  « 

In  the  fall  of  1840,  in  conjunction  with  Z.  Eastman,  at  Lowell  (Ver- 
milionville),  LaSalle  County,  he  started  the  (lenius  of  Libert//.  This  was 
a  weekly  newspaper  devoted  exclusively  to  the  anti-slavery  cause,  and  at 
once  became  its  ablest  champion.  Besides  his  own  keen,  logical  efforts,  it 
contained  speeches,  sermons  and  letters  from  the  foremost  literaiy  men  of 
the  day  on  the  vital  question,  and  speedily  attained  an  exalted  and  influ- 
ential position.  But  with  no  local  advertising,  without  State,  county  or 
other  official  patronage,  and  with  a  subscription  list  necessarily  limited  by 
reason  of  being  confined  almost  exclusively  to  the  few  and  scattered  anti- 
slavery  zealots  of  that  day,  the  paper,  despite  the  strenuous  efforts  of  its 
publishers  and  ardent  friends  and  admireis,  proved  a  financial  failure  in 
Lowell,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  Mr.  Warren  retired  from  its  manage- 
ment, and  it  was  removed  to  Chicago,  where  it  attained  no  special  promi- 
nence, being  mainly  remembered  as  the  forerunner  of  the  Chicago  Tribune. 

In  1851  Mr.  Warren  became  editor  of  the  Bureau  County  Advocate, 
which  position  he  retained  two  years  and  then  retired  from  the  journal- 
istic field.  He  was  a  good  practical  printer,  familiar  with  the  details  of 
the  business,  and  as  an  editor  quick  and  ready  upon  all  subjects,  especially 
such  as  came  within  the  scope  of  his  political  convictions,  seldom  writing 
out  his  "copy,"  but  composing  his  lengthy  "  leaders  "  in  his  stick,  at  the 
case.  He  was  a  firm  temperance  man,  his  habits  as  to  intoxicants  being 
strictly  abstemious,  but  never  a  member  of  any  society  or  organization 
based  upon  this  principle.  He  died  at  Mendota,  Illinois,  at  the  house  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Littlefield,  August  24,  1864,  passing  painlessly  away 
after  a  long  and  busy  life,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 


INCIDENTS. 

The  great  staple  of  trade  in  early  days  was  potatoes.  Every  farmer 
raised  them,  and  never  were  such  abundant  crops  seen.  The  many  thou- 
sand bushels  sent  South  cannot  be  computed,  nor  the  fortunes  made  (or 
lost)  by  the  parties  engaged.  One  year  so  many  bushels  were  thrown 
overboard  as  to  be  a  positive  nuisance  to  boatmen,  and  a  bar  in  the  river 


388  UECOfcDS   OF   THE  OLDEK  TIME. 

against  which  they  lodged  and  grew,  achieved  the  name  of  "  Potato 
Island." 

The  river  towns  along  the  lower  Mississippi  were  where  markets  were 
usually  found,  and  it  was  the  custom  to  build  keel  boats,  and  loading 
them  with  the  plentiful  esculent,  float  them  down  to  market.  After  a 
sale  of  the  vegetables  the  boat  was  sold  for  its  value  as  firewood. 

On  one  occasion  a  wagon-maker  in  Henry  named  Brown  traded  a 
wagon  to  Geo.  Dent  for  2,000  bushels  of  potatoes  in  the  fall,  the  latter 
agreeing  to  plant  a  certain  variety  of  seed  that  Brown  desired.  They 
grew  to  a  fabulous  size,  and  Brown  was  delighted,  until  he  cut  one  open 
and  found  a  "  goneness  "  he  little  anticipated.  They  were  about  as  hol- 
low as  a  bladder  and  not  much  more  valuable.  They  were  too  big  to 
measure  and  too  numerous  to  count,  so  he  sent  word  to  Dent  to  count  out 
a  couple  of  thousand  of  the  hollow  things  and  keep  the  rest. 

Charles  Nock's  farm  was  on  the  Island,  below  the  city.  Here  was  a 
large  settlement  of  thrifty  Germans. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  was  a  man-  named  Van  Kirk.  He  wore 
no  hat,  but  tied  a  handkerchief  tied  around  his  bushy  and  unkempt  locks. 
He  regarded  a  beard  as  an  abomination,  and  regularly  plucked  his  out  by 
the  roots  with  pincers.  He  was  unmarried,  and  lived  about  as  a  general 
utility  man.  When  a  small  lad  he  had  seen  the  battle  of  Trenton  from  a 
distance,  and  from  constantly  dwelling  on  the  subject  came  to  believe  him- 
self an  active  participant  who  ought  to  have  a  pension.  He  was  intensely 
patriotic  and  on  each  recurring  Fourth  of  July  procured  a  gallon  of 
"  blackstrap,"  and  retiring  to  some  secluded  grove,  read  the  declaration  of 
Independence,  and  made  a  speech,  closing  with  toasts,  which  were  loyally 
and  enthusiastically  drank  while  the  jug  lasted.  When  he  first  came  to 
the  place  he  had  considerable  money,  which,  having  occasion  to  make  a 
journey'  he  tied  into  an  old  handkerchief  and  chucked  into  a  crack  of  the 
logs,  telling  Thompson  it  was  some  "old  duds"  he  didn't  care  to  take 
along.  The  "  old  duds "  were  $2,800  in  cash.  Vankirk  lived  many 
years  and  finally  died  in  the  poor  house. 

George  W.  Ditman,  of  Magnolia,  was  once  pursued  by  a  pack  of 
black  wolves,  and  "saved  his  bacon"  by  hurriedly  climbing  a  tree,  where 
he  remained  through  the  night,  while  the  yelling  horde  kept  watch  until 
daylight. 


INCIDENTS    AND    ITEMS    OF    INTEREST.  389 

Mr.  Edmund  Britt,  an  old  man  well  known  about  Henry  many  years 
ago,  was  considered  "lightning  proof."  He  was  once  knocked  prostrate 
and  his  clothes  and  shoes  torn  off,  but  suffered  no  farther  damages.  On 
another  occasion  a  bolt  of  lightning  knocked  him  down  and  scorched  his 
hair  and  whiskers,  but  he  again  escaped  serious  harm ! 

He  was  once  digging  a  well  when  the  windlass  broke  and  he  was 
buried  in  the  sand,  but  came  out  "  sound  as  a  dollar."  Another  time 
the  well  caved  in,  burying  him  several  feet  deep  in  sand  and  clay,  and 
everybody  expected  to  see  him  taken  out  dead,  but  he  came  up  "fresh 
and  smiling  "  after  several  hours'  imprisonment. 

In  the  winter  of  1852,  a  Mr.  Snyder  had  been  across  the  river  hunting, 
and  while  returning  broke  through  the  ice  at  the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek. 
He  could  touch  the  bottom  with  his  feet  and  stood  with  his  arms  on  the 
ice,  yet  he  could  not  extricate  himself.  He  hallowed  for  help  and  was 
heard  by  different  persons  for  hours,  but  each  one  supposed  it  was  some 
hunter  calling  a  companion  and  no  one  went  to  his  relief.  The  following 
morning  he  was  found  standing  in  the  position  described,  dead.  He  had 
perished  from  exhaustion  .and  cold. 

During  the  Indian  war  excitement  "Deacon"  John  L.  Ramsey  was 
going  toward  the  ferry  at  Henry,  when  he  saw  a  person  approaching. 
The  Deacon,  who  was  given  to  joking,  threw  a  red  blanket  on  his 
shoulders  and  hid  in  the  grass,  ansing  just  as  the  unsuspecting  traveler, 
Mr.  Frank  Thomas,  had  neared  his  hiding  place.  The  latter  taking  him 
for  a  redskin  leveled  his  musket  to  fire,  and  then  it  was  Ramsey's  turn  to 
get  scared,  and  he  threw  off  his  blanket  and  yelled  :  "Do  n't  shoot,  for 
God's  sake,  it's  only  me ! " 

The  large  wild  cat  of  the  timber  is  naturally  a  cowardly  beast,  but  the 
following  incident  shows  they  are  not  averse  to  human  flesh  when  "out  of 
meat."  Mr.  Pools'  two  boys  were  once  returning  from  school  when  they 
encountered  a  gang  of  them,  whose  threatening  demonstrations  caused  the 
boys  to  take  shelter  in  a  tree.  The  varmints  made  demonstrations  of 
attack,  but  the  appearance  of  a  dog  put  them  to  flight. 

A  hunter  named  Ward  was  once  followed  by  a  lynx,  which  he  fortun- 
ately shot  with  the  last  bullet  in  his  possession,  and  Guy  Pool  killed  one- 
close  to  his  door,  on  Clear  Creek. 


390  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Wild  liqgs  were  numerous  and  worse  dreaded  than  any  wild  animal. 
They  were  fearless  of  man  and  beast,  and  quite  frequently  horses  were 
badly  wounded  by  these  brutes.  They  were  more  savage  when  dogs  were 
about,  and  would  follow  a  man  on  horseback  a  long  distance  if  accompan- 
ied by  one  to  get  at  the  latter.  The  attacks  of  wolves  upon  their 
offspring  had  rendered  them  the  enemy  of  dogs,  and  they  seemed  to  detect 
their  presence  in  the  timber  at  a  long  distance. 

The  cold  snap  of  1836  was  the  cause  of  a  remarkable  accident.  A 
traveler  whose  name  is  unknown,  riding  a  horse  and  followed  by  a  dog, 
was  being  set  across  one  of  the  primitive  ferries,  the  flat  being  propelled 
by  oars.  The  fast  gathering  ice  swept  them  down  stream  where  a  landing 
could  not  be  made,  but  the  men  escaped  on  the  ice  to  the  shore.  The 
faithful  dog  remained  with  the  horse  and  the  next  day  both  were  found 
dead. 

At  the  mouth  of  Clear  Creek,  on  the  farm  of  Guy  W.  Pool,  the  body 
of  an  Indian  was  found  suspended  in  a  tree.  Near  by  were  Indian  graves. 
In  the  same  locality  another  Indian,  a  child,  had  been  "  buried  "  in  a 
peculiar  way.  The  body  of  a  willow  tree  was  split  open  and  the  remains 
of  the  infant  being  placed  between  the  halves  in  a  hollow  dug  out. 
Around  the  whole  were  bound  numerous  hickory  withes. 

Christmas  day,  1835,  at  a  shooting  match  near  Henry,  a  man  named 
Little,  a  stranger,  looking  for  a  farm,  strolled  up  to  the  crowd  and  was 
accidentally  shot  through  the  head  by  a  drunken  fellow  named  McKinney. 
Little  had  barely  arrived  when  McKinney's  gun  was  discharged,  and 
Little  dropped  dead. 

A  man,  still  occasionally  seen  on  the  streets  of  Henry,  wished  to  marry 
in  the  olden  time,  and  having  no  money  to  pay  the  minister,  bargained  to 
pay  him  in  coon  skins,  his  intended  promising  to  see  it  carried  out. 

A  well  remembered  event  in  early  days  was  the  upsetting  of  a 
coach  load  of  passengers,  near  Pools,  which  rolled  down  a  steep  precipice, 
going  over  several  times  without  serious  harm  to  the  inmates. 


TOPOGRAPHY    AND    SETTLEMENT    OF    HOPEWELL. 


393 


HOPEWELL  TOWNSHIP. 


provement. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

Township   is  said  to   have    been    named  by  Lundsford 
Broaddus.  -  It  contains  nearly  thirty-six  sections  of  land, 
much  of  it  broken  and  mainly  valuable  as  pasturage,  though 
some  of  the  best  farms  and  residences  in  the    county  are 
within  its  borders.      Sandy  Crek  washes  its  northern  boun- 
daiy  and  the  Illinois  River  its  western,  and  the  territory 
contiguous  is  broken  and  often  swampy,  but  the  eastern  and 
southern  portions  are  fertile  and  under  a  high  state  of  im- 
Its  products  are  live  stock  and  grain.     Its  farms  are  well 
cared  for  and  their  owners  generally  "well  to  do." 

The  pioneer  white  settler,  George  Wagner,  arrived  in  the  Township 
in  the  spring  of  1830,  and  put  up  a  cabin,  the  first  in  this  locality.  He 
sold  it  to  Edward  Harris,  who  lived  here  many  years  and  died  upon  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Jerry  Feazle. 

The  next  old  settlers  were  James  Hall,  William  McNeill  and  Newton 
Reeder,  who  came  together  in  1831,  and  made  claims,  where  Hall  still 
resides.  McNeill,  a  blacksmith,  settled  in  the  timber  north-east  of  Lacon, 
and  Reeder  upon  what  is  now  the  Broaddus  farm. 

Lot  and  Joshua  Bullman  came  here  the  same  year  and  began  their 
respective  farms,  and  near  them  Jacob  Smalley  stuck  his  stakes. 

In  1831  Elisha  Swan  and  Hanson  L.  Deming  put  up  a  double  log 
house  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  Broaddus  field, 
where  they  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business,  keeping  such  goods  as 
the  trade  of  the  new  country  demanded.  This  was  the  frontier  store  of 
Columbia  and  vicinity. 


394  KECOBDS    OF    THE    OLDEN 

Robert  Antrim  and  Peter  Barnhart  came  in  1832,  and  settled,  the 
former  on  his  well  known  place  and  the  latter  on  what  is  now  the  Han- 
cock farm.  Lemuel  Russell  made  a  claim  in  1833.  Joseph  VanBuskirk 
and  William  Boys  came  in  1832,  and  William  Hancock  in  June  1836, 
buying  Barnhart's  claim. 

Jeremiah  Evans  and  his  son  Silas  Evans  came  in  1834,  and  settled  in 
the  edge  of  the  timber,  on  the  south  side  of  Sandy  Creek.  Jesse  Sawyer 
and  Caleb  Forbes,  with  their  families,  came  in  1831. 

In  1833  the  Freeman's  came,  likewise  William  White  and  John  Benson. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  Township  was  that  of  Josiah  W.  Martin  and 
Courtney  Forbes,  in  1832. 

John  Brumsey  settled  on  Sandy  in  1833,  where  his  son  Nathan  still 
resides. 

Antrim  was  an  odd  character,  and  for  years  partially  insane,  a  disease 
which  grew  on  him  until  he  committed  suicide  by  hanging  himself.  His 
first  wife  he  married  in  Ohio,  his  second  was  Martha  Harris,  and  the  third 
Nancy,  a  sister  of  the  famous  "Si."  Bowles. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  Miss  Caroline  Smith,  in  1834. 

The  first  camp  meeting  in  Hopewell  was  held  in  the  timber,  between 
William  Strawn's  and  Lacon,  in  June  1843,  when  the  Reeves  gang  did 
some  stealing.  Elder  Phillips  presided.  The  attendance  was  large,  con- 
sidering the  sparsely  settled  condition  of  the  country. 

Apple  trees  for  the  early  orchards  of  this  region  were  obtained  first  by 
John  Strawn,  who  went  to  Princes  nursery,  in  -the  southern  part  of  the 
State,  in  1832.  In  1833  Wier,  Strawn  and  others  obtained  some  by  going 
to  Peoria  for  them  in  keel  boats. 

Barnhart  brought  seedling  trees  from  Lawrenceburg,  and  planted  them 
on  his  claim  in  1832,  which  did  well,  some  of  the  fruit  being  of  a  very  fine 
quality. 

There  were  other  pioneers  who  lived  for  a  while  in  Hopewell,  but  did 
not  become  permanent  citizens.  Among  these  were  John  Shaner,  George 
Easter,  Robert  and  William  Waughob  and  Robert  Waughob,  Jr.,  who 
came  out  as  early  as  September,  1829.  Some  of  them  located  near 
where  Mr.  Ramp's  orchard  is  located,  and  others  made  claims  at  the 
timber  near  the  line,  in  Richland. 

The  first  funeral  was  that  of  Robert  Waughob,  who  died  in  Septem- 
ber, 1831.  There  being  no  lumber  in  the  settlement  a  rough  coffin  was 


HOPEWELL   TOWNSHIP EARLY    SCHOOLS   AND   MILLS.  395 

made  of  wooden  slabs  or  puncheons,  and  the  deceased  placed  therein  and 
buried  in  the  Broaddus  Cemetery. 

THE    FIRST    SCHOOL    HOUSE. 

This  was  located  about  two  miles  west  of  Sawyer's.  It  was  of  the 
prevailing  style,  had  one  door,  and  a  log  cut  out  on  one  side  gave  ample 
ventilation  and  a  little  light.  It  was  built  in  1836.  A  Mr.  Lee  first 
taught  the  Hopewellian  ideas  how  to  shoot. 

A  notable  old  time  school  house  stood  in  the  ravine  south-east  of 
Irving  Broadus',  where  most  of  the  present  dwellers  in  the  vicinity 
obtained  their  "larnin'."  It  was  built  in  1835  by  Lemuel  Russell,  John 
Wier,  James  Hall,  John  Strawn,  James  Kane,  William  Hancock,  the 
Bullman's,  and  other  patrons  of  the  school. 

Two  schools  had  been  previously  taught  in  the  township,  one  in  a 
cabin  belonging  to  a  man  named  "Waughob  and  the  other  in  a  cabin  near 
Lemuel  Russell's.  The  first  taught  here  was  by  a  man  named  Elmore. 
Beside  serving  for  school  purposes  it  was  used  for  debating  clubs,  church 
services,  public  meetings,  itinerating  shows,  etc.  The  old  school  house 
served  its  purpose,  and  then  gave  away  to  something  more  pretentious  and 
its  timbers  were  made  into  a  stable.  Forty-four  years  after  its  erection  a 
meeting  of  the  surviving  pupils  was  held  on  the  spot,  and  a  very  interest- 
ing time  was  had. 

THE    FIRST    SAW    AND    GRIST    MILLS. 

The  first  saw  mill  in  the  Township  was  put  up  by  Jesse  and  Enoch 
Sawyer,  in  1835.  It  stood  not  far  from  where  the  "old  Henry  road" 
crosses  Sandy  Creek.  The  Sawyers  run  this  mill  about  four  years,  when 
they  sold  it  to  Ebenezer  Pomeroy. 

Mr.  Caleb  Forbes,  in  1833,  had  a  horse  power  saw  mill  near  his  farm, 
on  the  south  side  of  Sandy,  in  the  timber  of  the  bluffs,  that  did  good  work 
for  several  years. 

Nathan  Brumsey  also  had  a  saw  attachment  to  his  grist  mill,  near  the 
present  home  of  Mrs.  Broaddus. 

The  pioneer  miller  '  /as  Zion  Shugart,  who  came  to  Ox  Bow  Prairie 
in  1829  and  afterwards  located  on  Sandy  Creek,  near  the  present  residence 
of  Mrs.  Christopher  Broaddus.  He  made  his  own  mill  stones,  fastened  the 
lower  one  to  a  stump  and  with  appropriate  machinery  revolved  the  upper 


39 G  RECORDS    OF    TII1S    OLDEN   TIME, 

one  by  horse  power.  It  was  slow  and  very  hard  work  to  grind  or  crack 
corn  on  this  mill.  It  did  not  reduca  it  to  meal,  but  rather  left  it  in  small 
fragmentary  grains,  but  still  as  a  labor  saving  machine  it  was  a  decided 
improvement  upon  the  plans  heretofore  in  use. 

In  1831  Mr.  Shugart  constructed  a  corn  and  flour  mill-  to  run  by 
water.  When  the  conditions  were  favorable  —  water  plenty,  corn  dry, 
machinery  properly  lubricated,  and  all  else  in  harmony,  this  mill  could 
grind  about  two  bushels  of  corn  into  tolerable  meal  and  bran  eveiy  hour! 
The  bolting  apparatus  consisted  of  a  hand  sieve,  shaken  by  the  customer 
whose  grist  was  being  ground. 

This  mill  flourished  until  spring,  when  a  freshet  swept  away  every- 
thing belonging  to  it  except  the  naked  stones,  which  were  taken  away 
and  put  in  a  mill  at  Caleb  Thompson's  farm,  where  a  good  horse  mill  was 
built  in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  for  about  two  years  did  about  all  the 
grinding  for  the  country. 

After  this  Mr.  Shugart  commenced  a  larger  mill,  but  sold  it  before 
completion  to  John  Brumsey.  It  had  all  the  usual  facilities  and  did  good 
work.  Brumsey  sold  it  to  a  Mr.  Trusten,  and  the  latter  to  James  Croft. 
William  Fisher  &  Co.  became  the  next  owners  and  finally  Mr.  Broaddus. 
Only  a  few  timbers  remain  to  tell  of  its  existence. 

JESSE    SAWYER. 

Among  the  more  noted  settlers  of  Hopewell  were  Jesse  Sawyer  and 
Caleb  Forbes.  They  came  to  this  locality  in  the  summer  of  1830,  on 
horseback,  from  North  Carolina,  and  concluding  to  locate  returned  for 
their  families,  packed  up  their  effects,  and  left  Albemarle  Sound  in  April, 
the  journey  occupying  five  months. 

The  family  of  Mr.  Sawyer  consisted  of  himself,  wife,  and  five  boys, 
one  being  a  step-son,  Mr.  Lemuel  Russell,  then  unmarried.  Mr.  Forbes 
had  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  They  crossed  a  part  of  Tennessee, 
traveling  through  Kentucky  and  Indiana. 

After  many  trials  and  hardships  the  party  arrived  here  September  2, 
1831,  having  traveled  a  distance  of  over  eleven  hundred  miles.  A  rude 
cabin  was  put  up  near  a  large  elm  tree,  a  half  mile  south-east  of  the 
present  residence  of  Enoch  Sawyer.  (Mrs.  Jesse  Sawyer  died  in  her  new 
home  several  years  after,  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-six  years,  and  Mr. 
Jesse  Sawyer,  after  getting  his  children  here  comfortably  fixed,  went  to 


MONEY    LOANED    ON    SHORT    ACQUAINTANCE.  397 

California  in  1849,  and  while  on  a  journey  from  San  Francisco  to  Oregon 
became  sick  and  died,  and  was  buried  in  the  sea.) 

Mr.  S.  explored  much  of  the  country  for  miles  along  the  eastern 
boundaries  of  the  Illinois  River,  but  found  no  place  that  suited  him  better 
than  the  spot  chosen,  and  which  became  his  future  home.  His  cabin 
was  a  log  structure,  one  story  high,  with  a  stick  and  mud  chimney,  and 
only  one  room,  in  which  his  family  and  two  hired  men  lived  the  first 
winter. 

During  this  time  Forbes  had  erected  a  roomy  house  of  hewed  logs, 
and  when  the  Indian  war  broke  out  this  was  turned  into  a  fort  for  the 
protection  of  the  two  families.  Doors  and  windows  were  heavily 
barricaded,  port  holes  were  made  and  the  most  elaborate  means  taken 
for  offense  as  well  defense,  and  to  this  fortress  the  two  families  retired  at 
night,  the  "men  folks"  following  their  usual  avocations  during  the  day. 

AN    OLD    TIME    PREACHER. 

About  1832  or  1833  Mr.  Sawyer's  father  went  to  Springfield  to  enter 
land.  A  man  named  Howard  kept  a  sort  of  tavern  at  Holland's  Grove, 
near  where  Washington  now  stands,  and  there  Mr.  S.  put  up  for  the  night. 
The  landlord  was  short  of  beds  and  he  was  given  a  bed-fellow— a  Metho- 
dist minister  named  Mitchell.  After  retiring  these  gentlemen  struck  up 
a  conversation,  in  which  Mr.  Mitchell  disclosed  his  profession,  and,  the 
further  fact  that  he  was  hard  up  for  money.  He  said  if  he  had  $500  he 
could  put  it  to  good  use  and  make  it  pay  him  well,  and  that  if  he  knew 
where  to  get  it  he  would  pay  fair  interest  for  the  same.  Mr.  Sawyer  was 
a  man  of  some  means,  and  had  more  ready  money  than  he  desired  to  use, 
and  though  a  careful  business  man  he  loaned  the  preacher  the  required 
sum,  taking  his  note  therefor.  After  parting  with  his  new  friend  and 
thinking  the  matter  over  he  concluded  he  had  been  too  precipitate.  It 
was  not  "  business,"  and  the  conclusion  arrived  at  was  that  he  had  been 
sold. 

He  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  Mitchell  before,  and  only  knew  that  his 
name  was  such  from  the  man's  own  statement.  Mrs.  S.,  good,  careful 
woman  that  she  was,  did  not  approve  his  conduct,  and  more  than  once 
expatiated  upon  the  "old  man's  foolishness"  in  trusting  the  unknown 
preacher  with  so  much  money.  Time  rolled  on  —  one,  two,  three,  four 
and  five  years  passed,  and  no  account  came  from  Mitchell. 


308  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEST   TIME. 

By  this  time  the  old  lady's  fears  had  become  realities,  and  he  gave  it  up 
as  "a  bad  speculation."  One  day  business  took  him  to  Hennepin,  and  it 
being  Sunday,  he  went  to  the  Methodist  Church.  Imagine  his  surprise 
as  service  was  about  to  begin,  when  the  long  lost  Mitchell  walked  into  the 
pulpit !  The  preacher  took  occasion  to  give  his  hearers  a  forcible  sermon 
on  the  subject  of  temperance,  painting  in  strong  colors  the  fate  of  the 
drunkard,  and  condemning  in  the  strongest  terms  "regular"  and  "occa- 
sional" drinking,  and  promising  unending  punishment  for  the  bibulous 
man. 

When  services  were  over  Mr.  Sawyer  left  the  church,  unnoticed  by  the 
preacher,  and  went  home  without  seeking  an  interview.  He  related  to 
his  family  the  circumstances,,  and,  of  course,  all  hopes  of  seeing  his  $500 
were  gone. 

At  noon  on  the  following  day  the  preacher  rode  up  to  the  gate  and 
asked  for  dinner.  There  was  no  pretence  of  a  recognition  on  either  side, 
but  Sawyer  managed  to  whisper  to  his  wife,  "that's  our  preacher!"  The 
good  lady  surveyed  him  with  much  dissatisfaction. 

Mr.  S.  was  in  the  habit  of  "taking  something"  before  dinner,  and 
moreover,  feeling  indifferent  as  to  the  preacher's  sentiments  and  in  defi- 
ance of  the  temperance  lecture  of  Sunday  took  down  the  decanter  and 
invited  the  preacher  to  imbibe.  To  the  utter  bewilderment  of  the  old. 
lady  and  surprise  of  Mr.  S.,  the  pious  man  poured  out  a  goodly  "horn," 
fixed  it  up  with  artistic  skill  and  drank  it  down  with  evident  relish! 
Whatever  weak  hopes  Mr.  Sawyer  had  for  his  money  were  now  ban- 
ished. Soon  after  each  took  another  liberal  "nip,"  and  when  dinner  had 
been  satisfactorily  disposed  of,  the  preacher  said:  "Mr.  Sawyer,  I  have  a 
little  business  with  you."  To  this  Mr.  Sawyer  replied:  "All  right,  Mr. 
Mitchell ;  come  this  way." 

This  was  the  first  time  that  either  had  spoken  the  name  of  the  other! 
They  sat  down  and  the  preacher  drew  from  his  coat  pocket  a  well-filled 
bag  and  counted  out  the  $500,  with  interest,  to  a  cent,  and  handed  it  over 
with  "much  obliged."  This  done,  he  mounted  his  horse  and  disappeared. 

The  old  lady's  opinion  as  to  the  character  of  that  preacher  underwent 
some  modification,  but  still  remained  considerably  mixed. 

FRIENDLY    NEIGHBORS. 

The  Indians  often  visited  the  Sawyer  cabin  and  made  themselves  quite 


NEIGHBORLY    INDIANS PEDESTRIANISM.  399 

at  home.  These  red  skinned  inhabitants  were  numerous  and  had  the 
faculty  or  habit  of  becoming  exceedingly  free  on  short  acquaintance. 
They  would  come  to  the  cabin  in  cold  or  wet  weather  and  squat  around 
the  fire-place,  monopolizing  every  inch  of  room  without  leave.  They 
would  lift  the  covers  off  the  dinner  pots  to  see  what  was  being  cooked, 
and  were  frequent  applicants  for  food,  a  favor  which  was  never  denied 
when  reasonable. 

On  one  occasion  not  long  after  the  cabin  was  built  a  dozen  savages 
entered  the  door  unbidden  and  sat  down  upon  the  floor  to  dry  themselves. 
Mrs.  Sawyer  was  alone,  except  Enoch,  the  family  being  in  the  woods 
making  rails.  Mrs.  Sawyer  was  badly  frightened,  as  they  were  the  first 
she  had  seen,  and  retreated  to  an  adjoining  room  for  safety.  Not  a 
word  of  English  could  the  copper-colored  visitors  speak,  and  after  sitting 
so  long  as  pleased  them  they  departed,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  the  inmates. 
One  of  the  Indians  arose  and  drawing  his  scalping  knife  motioned  to 
Enoch  to  approach.  Mrs.  Sawyer,  who  was  intently  observing  them,  felt 
sure  their  time  had  come,  but  the  savage  by  pantomimic  signs  made  it 
known  that  he  only  wished  to  sharpen  his  knife  on  Sawyer's  grindstone. 

When  Black  Hawk  proclaimed  war  and .  repudiated  the  treaty  made 
by  his  tiibe  the  Pottawattomies  were  in  a  quandaiy,  and  did  not  know 
whether  to  join  the  Sacs'  and  Fox's  or  remain  neutral.  A  large  number 
of  the  tribe,  through  the  counsel  of  Shaubena,  did  not  take  up  arms,  and 
remained  true  to  their  pledges,  but  by  far  the  greater  number  did. 

In  the  spring  of  1832  a  rendezvous  of  Indians  favorable  to  the  war, 
was  made  at  Holland's  Grove,  and  the  disaffected  marched  north,  toward 
Dixon.  Their  trail  was  visible  for  years  up  the  east  side  of  the  Illinois 
liiver,  at  various  distances  from  it,  but  generally  on  the  edge  of  the 
prairie,  to  avoid  deep  ravines  and  thick  forests.  They  marched  past  Mr. 
Sawyer's  on  their  ponies,  going  in  single  file,  each  warrior  arrayed  in  war 
paint  and  looking  as  solemn  as  a  funeral  procession. 

The  winter  after  the  war,  the  boys  were  sent  to  the  woods  to  cut  tim- 
ber, and  while  absent  from  their  team,  half  a  dozen  Indians  came  along 
and  ate  their  dinners.  The  boys  were  indignant  and  vowed  revenge,  so 
taking  their  axes  they  followed  the  miscreants  until  their  tracks  became 
dangerously  fresh  and  then  returned. 

THE    ORIGINAL    TRAMP. 

Hopewell  furnishes  the  starting  point  of  the  original  tramp,  or  the  first 


400  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

great  feat  of  long  winded  pedestrianism  on  record  in  this  country.  It  was 
in  1833,  when  a  Mrs.  White  and  her  son,  who  had  come  from  North  Caro- 
lina the  previous  year,  determined  to  return  to  their  old  home.  They  were 
very  poor,  with  not  sufficient  means  to  buy  food  on  their  way,  letting 
alone  transportation,  and  withal  she  was  past  the  age  allotted  to  man  or 
woman,  yet  such  was  her  love  for  her  old  home  and  so  strong  her  desire 
to  see  it  again,  that  braving  all  obstacles  she  started,  and  actually  made 
the  long  distance  on  foot.  Her  simple  story  made  friends  everywhere  and 
food  and  shelter  were  had  for  the  asking,  without  money  or  price.  Thus 
they  journeyed  slowly  on  and  reached  their  destination  after  a  nearly 
eleven  hundred  mile  tramp. 

GAME. 

The  early  settlers  of  Hopewell  found  an  abundance  of  game  of  all 
kinds  in  its  season,  and  the  river  and  tributary  streams  swarmed  with 
fish.  The  ground  was  covered  with  the  bones  of  buffalo  and  elk,  and  it 
was  no  unusual  sight  to  see  deer  in  droves  of  twenty  and  thirty  crossing 
the  prairie  in  single  file.  Among  the  feathered  tribes,  sand-hill  cranes 
were  the  most  numerous.  They  went  in  large  flocks,  and  seen  at  a  dis- 
tance upon  the  bare  prairie,  were  easily  mistaken  for  sheep. 

Gray  foxes  were  numerous,  and  the  highly  perfumed  Mephitis  Aineri- 
canus,  not  long  after  introduced  himself  pretty  numerously.  Gray  squir- 
rels too,  were  plenty,  but  the  latter  as  well  as  foxes  of  the  same  color 
afterward  gave  place  to  red  foxes  and  red  squirrels,  the  only  kinds  now 
found  in  this  section.  Wild  turkeys  were  not  abundant  until  1840. 
Bee  trees  were  found  everywhere  in  the  timber,  and  the  people  needed  no 
syrup  for  corn  cakes. 

Wolves,  both  the  prairie  and  timber  species,  black  and  gray,  were  nu- 
merous, and  the  farmers'  greatest  dread  and  constant  annoyance.  On 
more  than  one  occasion  has  Mr.  Sawyer  been  called  upon  not  only  to  exer- 
cise his  skill  as  a  marksman,  but  under  critical  circumstances,  Mrhere  a 
sure  aim  and  steady  nerve  were  needed.  He  was-an  expert  and  enthusiastic 
hunter,  and  brought  with  him  from  his  Southern  home  a  pair  of  superb 
hounds  from  which  sprung  a  numerous  progeny,  with  whose  aid  he  has 
waged  war  against  these  "  varmints "  for  many  years.  In  the  winter  of 
1833-34  he  had  occasion  to  go  to  mill.  His  conveyance  was  a  sled  upon 
which  was  a  Pennsylvania  wagon  box,  drawn  by  three  yokes  of  oxen. 


AN  INVOLUNTARY  DOUBLE  SHUFFLE.  401 

The  mill  was  at  Seybold's  on  the  Vermillion  river,  and  as  Mr.  Sawyer  was 
returning  with  his  grist  through  Sandy  Creek  timber  on  a  bright  moon- 
light night,  he  heard  a  low  growl  which  he  recognized  as  that  of  a  wolf, 
and  perceived  a  large  gray  timber  wolf  not  ten  feet  away.  It  was  crouched 
as  if  ready  to  spring,  and  its  eyes  glared  with  a  flashing  yellow  green  pe- 
culiar to  the  feline  tribe.  Young  Sawyer  was  justifiably  alarmed,  and 
giving  the  brute  a  sharp  cut  with  his  long  whip  jumped  into  the  sled. 
At  a  wayside  cabin  he  borrowed  a  gun,  and  when  the  animal  reappeared 
a  lucky  shot  laid  him  out. 


INCIDENTS. 

As  illustrating  the  rapid  growth  of  timber  in  this  countiy  it  is  related 
that  north  and  east  of  Hancock's  house,  forty  years  ago,  there  was  a 
growth  of  low  hazle  brush,  small  oak  and  other  trees.  From  the  door  of 
the  house  during  fall  and  winter  could  be  seen  the  white  spots  or  tails  of 
the  deer  as  they  browsed  or  frolicked  through  the  thickets.  On  that 
same  patch  of  what  was  once  hazle-brush  and  saplings,  large  trees  have 
grown,  and  within  the  last  four  or  five  years  from  eighteen  to  twenty 
cords  of  wood  per  acre  were  cut  therefrom. 

The  old  settlers  in  this  like  those  of  other  localities  had  no  flour  or 
meal  save  such  as  they  made  themselves  on  a  grater,  in  a  stump  mortar  or 
pestle,  with  a  spring-pole  beater, —  the  pound-cake  mill  of  the  olden 
time.  When  they  desired  to  put  on  style,  they  went  to  mill  forty  to  one 
hundred  miles  away.  Mr.  Hancock  remembers  going  to  Dayton  to  mill, 
four  miles  above  Ottawa,  on  Fox  River. 

They  hauled  their  wheat  to  Chicago,  where  they  found  a  market  at 
fifty-six  cents  per  bushel,  and  brought  back  lumber  and  salt,  which  they 
sold  at  good  prices,  the  latter  bringing  as  high  as  $5.00  per  barrel. 

The  farmers'  wives  knew  nothing  about  saleratus  or  fancy  baking  pow- 
der. When  they  wanted  fine  rising,  they  made  pearl  ash  by  burning 
corn-cobs. 

Wm.  Strawn,  whose  parents  were  Methodists,  and  looked  upon  dan- 
cing with  abhorence,  took  his  first  lesson  in  tripping  the  "light  fantastic 
toe  "  in  this  way :  His  mother  had  been  baking  bread  in  an  old  fashioned 
oven.  William,  in  his  bare  feet,  came  near  the  fire  to  warm,  and  unwit- 


402 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


tingly  stepped  upon  the  large  flat  stone  which,  heated  to  a  cherry  red, 
forms  a  covering  for  the  primitive  oven.  He  lifted  his  foot  with  an  ago- 
nizing yeH  of  mingled  surprise  and  pain,  but  in  doing  so  placed  the  other 
on  the  same  scorching  surface.  And  then  ensued  a  series  of  gyrations, 
contortions  and  fantastic  steps,  accompanied  by  howls  and  groans, 
which  proved  highly  amusing  to  the  other  children,  but  which  William 
to  this  day  cannot  recall  without  an  involuntary  shifting  of  his  pedal 
extremeties. 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION   OF   ROBERTS   TOWNSHIP. 


403 


ROBERTS  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER   XL. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

Township  derived  its  name  from  the  first  settler  in  Mar- 
shall County,  Jesse  Roberts,  who  made  his  claim  in  a  point 
of  timber  south  of  Sandy  Creek,  and  for  many  years  lived 
there  noted  as  an  eccentric  but  hospitable  and  generous  man. 
The  Township  contains  thirty-six  sections  or  23,040 
acres  of  land.  The  principal  water  course  traversing  its 
territory  is  Sandy  Creek,  a  large  stream  coming  from  Ev- 
ans Township  on  the  east  and  flowing  through  Sections 
one,  two,  three,  four,  five  and  six  nearly  due  west  to  the  town  of  Hope- 
well,  and  thence  to  the  Illinois  River.  From  the  south  this  stream  is  fed 
by  Shaws',  Myers'.  Graylord's  and  a  number  of  smaller  branches,  and  from 
the  north  by  Little  Sandy  and  its  tributaries.  The  entire  town  is  well 
watered  and  abundantly  supplied  with  timber.  Between  the  branches 
named  and  those  referred  to  there  are  stretches  of  prairie  and  openings  that 
come  down  near  the  verge  of  the  bluffs  along  the  southern  line  of  Sandy 
Creek.  To  the  north  and  south  these  prairies  widen,  and  beyond  the  sev- 
eral points  of  timber  unite  in  a  vast  expanse  of  deep  and  remarkably  rich 
soil,  now  covered  with  fine  farms. 

The  Western  Division  of  the  Chicago,  Alton  and  St.  Louis  Rail- 
road runs  through  this  Township  from  section  twenty-five  on  the  east 
to  Section  thirty  on  the  west,  connecting  with  the  other  great  lines  of 
railroad  and  affording  an  outlet  for  the  products  of  the  Township.  A 
branch  of  this  road  also  diverges  south  from  the  main  branch  at  Varna,  a 
village  in  this  Township.  While  the  soil  is  very  deep  and  productive, 
the  lands  in  some  parts  are  less  rolling  than  west  of  the  Illinois  River. 
When  their  roads  have  been  improved  to  the  general  standard  of  excel- 
lence prevailing  in  other  townships  this  will  be  a  model  farming  region. 


404  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

The  objection  of  very  level  lands  does  not  prevail  along  the  timber,  nor 
for  two  or  three  miles  back  therefrom,  the  surface  in  this  part  of  the 
Township  being  a  succession  of  gently  rolling  or  imdulating  swells. 

Fine  large  orchards  are  a  special  feature  of  Roberts.  Apple  trees  of 
enormous  growth  are  found  on  all  of  the  older  farms,  and  some  of  the 
orchards  are  of  surprisingly  extensive  acreage.  Many  of  the  farmers 
along  Sandy  Creek  are  superior  horticulturalists,  especially  "read  up"  in 
the  culture  of  the  apple,  and  by  careful  study  and  experiment  have  re- 
duced fruit  culture  to  a  science.  Profiting  by  experience  they  cultivate 
choice  varieties  almost  exclusively,  and  only  fail  when  the  season  is  un- 
favorable. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlers  here  were:  1828  —  Livingston  Roberts ;  1829 — Dr. 
J.  Gaylord,  Abel  Estabrook,  Horace  Gaylord;  1830 — Enoch  Dent,  Geo. 
Morton,  G.  H.  Shaw,  Wm.  Cowan;  1831— Samuel  Redmond,  Eli  Red- 
mond; 1832 — David  Myers,  Chas.  S.  Edward,  David  Stateler,  Samuel 
Beckwith,  Wm.  McMillan,  Jerry  Hardenbower,  John  Myers;  1833  — 
David  Myer's  family,  Hiram  Myers;  1834  —  B.  Reynolds,  Abram  De 
Long;  1835;  Wm.  Swartz,  Zeb  Swarz;  1837  —  Mi-.  Davidson,  Mr.  Ellen- 
borg;  1838  —  Mr.  Usher,  James  Hoyt;  Aaron  Gaylord  came  to  Marshall 
County  about  1833,  and  settled  in  Roberts  Township  on  the  Keys  farm. 
Mr.  Gaylord  himself  and  two  daughters  died  in  1834.  His  wife  Maria 
was  left  with  a  large  family  and  raised  them  successfully.  Among  them 
were:  Dr.  Ed.  Gaylord,  of  Magnolia;  Dr.  Hiram  Gaylord,  of  Pontiac; 
James  S.  Gaylord,  of  Western  Kansas ;  Orange  Gfiylord,  who  went  to 
Oregon  many  years  ago ;  Mrs.  T.  Beckwith,  now  in  the  south  part  of 
Evans  Township. 


VARNA. 

This  well-known  village,  born  of  railroad  enterprise,  was  laid  out  Sep- 
tember 10,  1870,  on  the  south  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  Section 
28,  Town  30,  Range  1  west.,  by  George  Straut  and  wife,  on  the  prairie 
along  the  Western  Division  of  the  Chicago,  Alton  <fe  St.  Louis  Railroad. 
Additions  have  since  been  made  from  time  to  time  until  the  town,  on  the 
maps,  has  assumed  creditable  proportions. 

The  original  town  is  all  north  of  and  adjoining  the  railroad.     It  stands 


VARNA —  ITS   BUSINESS,    SCHOOLS   AN1>   CHURCHES.  405 

on  the  level  prairie  to  the  east  of  Shaw's  Point,  and  is  the  first  station 
on  the  above  mentioned  road  east  of  the  County  seat. 

The  first  house  in  the  village  was  built  in  1870,  a  store,  by  Mr.  John 

B.  Brotherhood,  who  added  a  dwelling  to  it  the  same  fall,  and  soon  after 
Bobbitt  and  others  followed  his  example,  until  a  number  of  neat  dwel- 
lings, stores,  Avarehouses,   churches  and  a  good    public  school  btiilding, 
constituted  the  general  make-up  of  the  village.     Its  leading  features  are : 
Four  churches,  —  German  Lutheran,  Swedish  Lutheran,  German  Episco- 
pal and  Methodist — two  grocery  and  general  stores,  two  drug  dealers, 
one  hardware  store,  two  boot  and  shoe  shops  and  stores,  one  harness  shop, 
two  carpenters,  two  meat  markets,  a  livery  stable,  four  blacksmith  shops, 
one  lumber  yard,  two  grain  merchants  and  stock  buyers,  two  hotels,  .two 
wagon  shops,  two  dealers  in  agricultural  implements,  a  tile  manufactory, 
two  milliners  and  a  doctor.     At  the  last  election  the  poll  books  showed 
sixty-eight  voters  in  the  village. 

Varna  has  the  credit  of  maintaining  an  excellent  public  school.  No. 
8,  which  embraces  the  village,  was  organized  in  1869,  and  Thomas  Quain- 
tance  was  the  first  teacher  for  two  years.  The  school  building  erected  in 
the  summer  of  the  year  named,  is  a  large  frame  structure,  capable  of 
accommodating  one  hundred  pupils,  and  contains  all  the  modern  improve- 
ments for  the  graded  system,  on  which  plan  the  school  is  conducted. 

THE    SWEDISH    CHURCH. 

The  natives  of  Sweden  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Varna  first  began  to 
hold  public  worship  about  1866.  The  only  church  then  in  this  region  of 
their  faith  was  at  Caledonia,  west  of  Magnolia.  About  1874  they  held  a 
largely  attended  and  successful  revival  meeting  at  Varna,  upon  the  con- 
clusion of  which  they  organized  a  Society,  Rev.  Mr.  Lindall  lending .  his 
aid  to  the  success  of  the  movement. 

They  selected  as  their  first  deacons  and  trustees,  Andrew  Lindall,  O. 
P.  Nelson,  Charles  Esterdahl,  John  Humstrom,  Andrew  Angstrom  and 

C.  A.  Peterson. 

The  leading  members  were:  C.  Esterdahl,  O.  P.  Nelson,  Andrew 
Lindall  and  C.  A.  Humstrom,  who  constituted  the  biiilding  committee. 

The  church  building  was  erected  in  1874.  It  is  a  frame  structure  25 
x72  feet,  18  foot  ceiling,  neatly  finished,  and  furnished  with  an  organ, 
comfortable  seats,  etc.  It  cost  entire  $4,500,  and  was  built  by  subscrip- 


40  G  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

tion.  The  original  membership  was  125,  but  it  has  now  nearly  doubled, 
and  the  Society  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  It  conducts  an  excellent 
Sunday  School,  which  is  managed,  in  turn,  by  four  of  the  deacons. 

The  ministers  have  been :  Rev.  Mr.  Londerblau,  who  occasionally  vis- 
ited Varna  in  1870;  Rev.  Mr.  Malberg,  who  came  from  time  to  time  in 
1874;  succeeded  by  Rev.  P.  G.  Brodine,  who,  in  1879,  gave  way  to  Rev. 
G.  O.  Gustafson. 

l 

GERMAN    M.    T..    CHURCH. 

This  Society,  at  Varna,  was  formed  in  June,  1872.  The  trustees  were 
Christian  Koch,  William  Koch  and  Christian  Benkendorf.  About  eleven 
persons  organized  the  church,  and  built  a  small  place  of  worship  the  same 
year,  costing  $1,800. 

The  preacher  who  was  mainly  instrumental  in  the  foundation  of  the 
Society  was  Rev.  Barnard  Ruch,  and  in  January,  1880,  the  pastor  was 
Rev.  Mr.  Danner. 

THE  GERMAN  LUTHERAN  CHURCH. 

This  Society  was  organized  at  Varna  in  1871.  The  first  preacher  was 
Rev.  J.  Johannes,  to  whose  personal  efforts  its  success  was  largely  due. 
The  trustees  of  the  congregation  were:  Michael  Kemnitz,  Reinhardt 
Kitzman  and  George  Sanwald. 

Their  meeting  house  was  built  in  1873.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  43x60 
feet,  with  a  steeple  and  bell,  comfortably  seated,  and  was  built  by  sub- 
scription, costing  $2,300.  The  congregation  is  small,  but  earnest  in  the 
work,  and  a  good  Sabbath  School  is  kept  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

The  first  services  were  by  Rev.  Mr.  Kercher,  and  afterward  Rev. 
Walter  Krebs,  who  also  had  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Society  in  charge 
for  years.  The  minister  in  1879  was  Rev.  A.  Sipple,  of  La  Rose,  who 
alternates  his  work  between  the  church  here  and  at  the  latter  place. 


LYONS. 


Among  the  numerous  towns  that  sprang  up  like  mushrooms  in  a  single 
night,  in  this  region  —  on  paper — during  the  speculative  fever  of  1835 
and  '36,  the  above  is  an  example,  and  in  its  rise  and  fall  is  presented  the 


THE   HISTORY    OF    A   PAPER   TOWN.  .  407 

history  of  thousands  equally  ambitions  and  ill  fated.  Lyons  was  started 
by  an  Eastern  company,  its  projectors  residing  in  New  York.  It  was  laid 
out  in  1836,  but  the  plat,  which  contained  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  adjoining  the  present  village  of  Varna  on  the  West  and  south-west, 
was  never  recorded. 

The  Association  entered  forty-six  sections  of  land,  mainly  in 
this  part  of  the  state,  and  assessed  twenty-five  dollars  per  quarter  section 
to  build  an  agent's  house  here  and  provide  for  the  expenses  of  surveying 
and  selling  the  lots.  This  was  the  first  building  of  any  kind  on  this 
prairie  for  many  miles,  and  was  put  up  for  the  company  by  Henry  Long, 
of  Lacon.  Its  materials  were  hard  wood  and  a  frame  of  hewn  logs,  after 
the  manner  af  all  buildings  beyond  the  limits  of  the  timber  in  those  days. 

A  committee  of  the  Company  made  deeds  of  such  few  lots  as  were 
sold,  which  were  so  worded  as  to  contain  no  streets  and  alleys,  and  as 
none  of  these  had  been  dedicated  to  the  public  and  no  rights  accrued  by 
prescription  or  use,  legal  questions  as  to  the  right  of  buyers  to  fence  them 
up  and  block  up  highways  were  avoided.  As  no  clause  was  inserted  in 
these  conveyances  compelling  the  owners  to  build  upon  the  property  thus 
bought  —  a  provision  inserted  in  similar  conveyances  of  lots  in  some  other 
new  towns, —  no  house  was  ever  erected  within  the  limits  of  Lyons,  save 
the  dwelling  of  the  agent. 

When  the  sole  resident  of  this  city  moved  here,  and  became  monarch 
of  all  he  surveyed,  his  nearest  neighbors  were  the  few  settlers  along  the 
line  of  Sandy  Creek  and  C.  S.  Edwards  and  G.  H.  Shaw  at  Shaw's  Point. 

The  land  bought  by  the  New  York  company  was  scattered  about  this 
region  within  a  scope  of  six  or  seven  miles  and  Lyons  was  laid  out  as  the 
central  point.  The  lots  brought  at  the  rate  of  from  one  to  five  dollars 
per  acre,  and  were  sold  between  1847  and  1856,  by  which  time  the 
original  company  had  parted  with  its  interest  in  the  property.  Some  of 
the  lands  sold  as  low  as  fifty  cents  an  acre,  but  this  brought  no  new 
settlers.  Some  "commanded,"  as  the  advertisements  had  it,  $20  per  acre; 
the  latter  lying  near  the  "city  limits." 

The  town  was  surveyed  for  the  Association  by  Jordon  Sawyer,  a 
brother  of  Enoch  Sawyer,  of  Hopewell. 

JESSE   S.    ROBERTS. 

The  man  from  whom  the  Township  derives  its  name  and  the  first  set- 


408          .  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

tier  in  the  County  deserves  a  more<  extended  notice  than  is  given  to  most 
of  the  pioneers.  This  was  Jesse  S.  Roberts,  who  was  born  on  the  Little 
Pedee,  South  Carolina,  May  11,  1876.  His  father  took  sides  with  the 
mother  countiy  in  her  efforts  to  subdue  the  colonists,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  war  was  expatriated,  taking  up  his  residence  at  St.  Johns,  New  Bruns- 
wick, where  we  believe  he  subsequently  died.  His  family  remained  loyal, 
and  were  permitted  to  occupy  the  valuable  property  he  held,  which,  by 
the  law  of  primogeniture  then  in  force,  reveited  to  the  oldest  son,  leaving 
the  others,  among  whom  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  to  care  for 
themselves. 

Until  eleven  years  old  he  lived  at  home  with  his  mother,  going  to 
school  occasionally  and  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  as  he  could.  At 
that  age  he  was  indentured  to  a  saddler  and  harness  maker,  serving  his 
master  the  full  time  of  seven  years,  as  was  the  good  old  custom.  As  be- 
fore intimated,  his  father's  estate  was  inherited  by  an  elder  brother,  and 
the  manifest  injustice  so  embittered  him  that  he  determined  to  leave  the 
countiy  and  seek  out  a  home  for  himself  in  the  new  and  fertile  regions 
beyond  the  Ohio. 

It  was  six  hundred  miles  to  his  proposed  destination,  the  road  leading 
over  mountains,  through  sparsely  settled  districts,  and  hostile  tribes  of 
Indians.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  he  shouldered  his  axe,  put  a  spare 
shirt  or  two  in  his  bundle  and  set  out,  walking  the  entire  distance. 

He  passed  over  the  now  justly  celebrated  "blue  grass  region,"  think- 
ing it  too  destitute  of  timber,  and  proceeding  to  the  vicinity  of  Smithland, 
Kentucky,  selected  a  location  among  the  heavy  timber  of  the  region, 
and  putting  up  a  cabin  of  rough  logs  open  at  one  end,  plied  his  axe  in- 
dustriously for  three  months,  living  by  himself  and  doing  his  own  cook- 
ing and  washing. 

Leaving  his  new  home  at  this  time  he  started  back  to  South  Carolina 
for  a  helpmeet,  receiving  along  with  her  a  feather  bed  and  an  old  flying 
pan.  With  his  wife  and  dowry  mounted  on  an  old  mare — his  sole  worldly 
wealth — and  himself  trudging  by  her  side,  he  again  made  the  journey  to 
the  El  Dorado  of  his  hopes.  His  wife  proved  a  most  worthy  companion, 
and  together  they  cleared  up  a  large  farm,  while  children  were  born  and 
their  fortunes  grew  apace. 

In  course  of  time  he  owned  slaves  —  a  woman  to  help  his  wife  and  two 
stout  fellows  to  assist  him  on  the  farm.  He  also  built  a  flat  boat  and 
commenced  making  voyages  to  New  Orleans,  loading  his  craft  with 


REMINISCENCES   OF    PIONEERS.  409 

grain,  sheep,  hogs  and  poultry,  which  he  converted  into  cash  and  returned 
on  foot,  carrying  about  his  person  as  high  as  six  hundred  dollars  in  silver. 
His  road  lay  through  the  Indian  nation,  where  he  found  cabins  erected 
for  the  entertainment  of  travelers,  who  were  expected  to  furnish  their  own 
provisions. 

On  one  occasion  he  took  down  a  likely  young  negro  named  Obed  and 
bargained  him  away  for  six  hundred  dollars.  The  chattel  was  unusually 
sharp,  and  divining  the  nature  of  the  transaction,  "lit  out"  before  the 
delivery  of  the  property,  reaching  home  two  weeks  before  his  master. 
There  was  some  difficulty  over  the  sale,  but  Roberts  insisted  that  he  sold 
him  on  the  run,  and  it  was  compromised  by  the  seller  accepting  four 
hundred  dollars.  Obed  continued  to  light  the  fires  and  perform  any  service 
required  until  he  heard  his  master  was  coming,  when  he  started  for  Can- 
ada and  was  not  seen  again. 

Slave  property  was  in  very  good  demand.  Roberts  paid  at  one  time 
for  a  likely  young  black,  seven  hundred  dollars  in  cash  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  of  land.  When  he  left  the  country  he  was  the  owner  of  a 
motherly  old  slave  named  Judy,  who  had  nursed  all  his  children,  and  as 
she  did  not  wish  to  leave,  he  sought  out  a  master  satisfactory  to  her,  and 
sold  her  for  three  hund-ied  dollars  cash,  a  barrel  of  whisky  and  a  keg  of 
powder.  It  is  needless  to  say  the  whisky  was  all  imbibed  by  the  crowd 
which  came  to  bid  them  adieu. 

Wishing  to  educate  his  family  beyond  the  influences  of  slavery,  Mr. 
Roberts  in  that  year  sold  his  farm,  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hillsboro,  remaining  there  two  yeai-s.  In  the  meantime  he 
came  north,  and  renting  a  piece  of  land  above  Ottawa,  raised  a  crop  of 
corn  there  in  1828.  During  that  summer  he  came  into  Putnam  County 
and  was  advised  by  Mr.  Knox  to  make  the  claim  upon  which  he  lived 
until  his  death,  August  7,  1841,  aged  sixty-five. 

JAMES  IIOYT. 

James  Hoyt  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  prairie  south  of  Sandy 
Creek  in  this  Township.  He  came  to  the  vicinity  of  Varna  in  1838, 
making  his  home  at  Green's  house,  put  up  as  the  City  Hotel  of  the 
prospective  city  of  Lyons,  and  remained  in  the  neighborhood  until  1843, 
when  he  built  a  frame  house  about  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Varna, 
on  the  tract  known  as  the  Kestor  place,  where  Dr.  Gaylord  had  formerly 


410  RECORDS  of  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

lived.  The  only  building  in  this  locality  other  than  those  of  the  farmers 
joining  the  timber  were  a  log  cabin  built  by  David  Meyers  and  one  by 
his  son  John,  in  ]  843  or  '44,  one-half  mile  west  of  Hoyt's. 

In  the  fall  of  1842  Mr.  Hoyt  went  to  Chicago  with  a  load  of  wheat. 
He  made  the  journey  under  all  sorts  of  difficulties,  but  arrived  safely,  sold 
his  grain  for  fifty  cents  per  bushel,  half  "store  pay,"  bought  a  stove,  got 
sloughed — not  "slewed"  —frequently  coming  home,  and  lived  on  raw 
bacon  all  the  way.  As  he  fared  sumptuously  on  chickens  fixin's  going 
up,  he  realized  the  abominable  contrast  in  diet  with  well  defined  and  deep 
disgust. 

The  winter  of  1843  was  an  uncommonly  hard  one.  Snow  came  early, 
covered  the  ground  to  the  depth  of  one  and  a  half  feet  and  remained 
until  the  January  following,  when  there  was  a  ten  days'  period  of  thaw, 
followed  by  a  new  crop  of  snow,  which  did  not  wholly  melt  until  the  10th 
of  April,  1844. 

Mr.  Hoyt  moved  into  his  new  place  in  the  fall  of  1843.  The  first  day 
after  his  arrival  there  the  deep  snow  fell,  and  then  his  troubles  began. 
He  had  little  or  no  fuel,  and  was  four  miles  from  where  he  could  fiet  fire- 
wood. He  had  to  go  the  next  morning,  Sunday  though  it  was,  after 
wood,  and  kept  up  these  long  trips  regularly  and  frequently  all  that 
winter. 


SHAW'S  POINT. 


Next  to  Jesse  Roberts  the  first  permanent  settler  in  Roberts  was  James 
H.  Shaw,  who  made  a  claim  at  the  point  of  timber  that  has  since  borne 
his  name  so  early  as  1831.  It  was  long  a  prominent  landmark,  and  the 
proprietor  was  widely  known  and  respected.  He  came  to  Tazewell 
County  in  1827,  taught  school  in  Magnolia  in  1830,  and  finally  settled 
down  as  a  farmer  as  stated.  His  nearest  neighbors  were  C.  S.  Edwards, 
whose  fine  farm  afterward  passed  into  the  possession  of  Reuben  Broaddus. 
The  two  men  took  opposite  sides  in  politics,  and  each  filled  stations  of 
public  trust  and  honor.  The  former  has  been  gathered  to  his  fathers,  but 
the  latter  still  remains.  During  the  Black  Hawk  troubles  their  families 
sought  protection  in  the  Roberts  stockade,  and  remained  until  danger  was 
past.  One  night  an  alarm  was  raised  and  the  men  gathering  their  shoot- 
ing irons  rushed  to  defend  their  fortress.  A  valorous  Frenchman  made 
himself  conspicuous  by  flourishing  a  big  horse  pistol  and  exhorting  the 


PRIVATION    AND    HARDSHIPS    OF    PIONEER    LIFE.  411 

crying  women  and  children  to  "die  like  men."     It  was  only  a  scare,  how- 
ever, and  no  harm  came  of  it. 

The  route  usually  traveled  from  Shaw's  Point  to  Lacon  led  along  the 
timber  past  the  Hams  place,  until  Mr.  Edwards  "blazed  the  way" 
through  the  prairie  by  the  direct  route. 

CHICAGO    AS    A    GRAIN    MARKET    IN    1829. 

The  privations  and  hardships  endured  by  the  early  settlers  can  hardly 
be  realized  by  their  descendants,  surrounded  by  every  comfort  and  luxury. 
We  know  men  who  are  in  despair  if  the  mail  fails  to  arrive  on  time,  and 
women  who  will  sit  down  and  cry  if  a  visitor  comes  to  dinner  and  there 
is  no  butter  in  the  house ;  yet  these  are  insignificant  trifles  compared  with 
what  our  ancestors  xinderwent.  Think  of  living  for  months  on  pounded 
corn  mixed  with  water  and  baked  on  a  board  before  the  fire;  of  keeping 
house  without  tea,  coffee,  sugar  potatoes  or  fruits;  of  living  in  cabins  des- 
titute of  windows,  knowing  nothing  of  the  outside  world,  and  seeing 
neither  friend  nor  neighbor  for  months.  Yet  these  were  the  experiences 
of  the  older  settlers  of  our  state. 

There  were  no  markets  to  speak  of.  Hennepin  was  a  small  trading 
post  where  furs  and  peltries  could  be  bartered  for  merchandise,  but  the 
future  thriving  towns  of  Henry,  Lacon  and  La  Salle  had,  in  1829,  not  a 
single  inhabitant.  St.  Louis  was  a  place  of  some  importance,  but  at  this 
date  few  adventurous  keels  had  plowed  the  waters  of  the  Illinois.  Galena, 
in  the  north-west,  was  a  place  of  considerable  mining  interest  and  Chicago 
was  looking  up  as  a  future  lake  port  of  some  possible  importance,  yet  at 
this  time  its  wants  were  so  little  that  an  enterprising  fanner  of  this 
County,  who  sent  a  load  of  oats  there  in  1839,  could  not  find  a  purchaser, 
and  was  about  despairing  of  a  sale  when  he  heard  of  an  Englishman 
living  five  miles  up  the  North  Branch,  whither  he  went  and  disposed  of 
his  load,  accepting  a  greyhound  in  part  payment. 

The  settler  was  Livingstone  Roberts,  whose  outfit  was  three  yoke  of 
oxen,  a  "prairie  schooner  wagon,"  blanket,  axe,  camp  kettle  and  flint  and 
steel  for  striking  fire.  The  route  crossed  the  Vermillion  near  the  present 
site  of  the  village  of  Lowell,  where  he  encamped  the  first  night.  No 
settlers  were  passed  during  the  day  and  he  saw  no  signs  of  improvement 
until  he  reached  Ottawa,  then  a  thriving  town  of  three  cabins,  where  he 
passed  the  second  night.  Fox  River  was  forded  a  mile  above,  and  that 


412  RECORDS  of  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

day  he  made  Holderman's  Grove,  where  he  found  a  single  inhabitant  in 
the  person  of  a  Frenchman  named  Vermet.  The  fourth  day  he  camped 
beside  a  big  spring  near  the  present  village  of  Plattvile,  and  the  fifth 
reached  the  crossing  of  the  Du  Page. 

The  sixth  night  he  camped  at  the  Summit,  the  only  signs  of  civiliza- 
tion being  two  settlers'  cabins  skirting  the  timber.  The  next  day  he  drove 
into  Chicago  and  looked  with  wonder  and  awe  upon  the  blue  waters  of 
Lake  Michigan  for  the  first  time.  Tne  future  city  contained  two  frame 
dwellings  and  one  store,  the  latter  occupied  by  James  Kinzie,  the  Indian 
trader.  Around  the  fort  was  grouped  the  barracks  and  a  few  cabins 
tenanted  by  French  and  half  breeds.  Near  the  forks  of  the  river  a  man 
named  See  kept  a  house  of  entertainment,  where  Roberts  put  up. 

The  thriving  cities  of  Morris  and  Joliet  had  not  even  an  existence  at 
that  time,  and  very  few  persons  were  seen  upon  the  way.  Occasionally 
an  emigrant's  wagon  was  passed,  under  whose  white  canvas  a  robust 
mother  and  half  a  dozen  tow  headed  children  were  seen,  while  fastened 
behind  was  the  spinning  wheel,  a  crate  of  chickens  and  a  couple  of  chairs. 

Mr.  Roberts  followed  the  "  teaming  business "  many  years,  making 
five  or  six  trips  to  Chicago,  and  loading  on  his  return  with  merchandise, 
salt,  lumber,  etc.  His  usual  train  was  three  teams  made  up  of  horses  and 
oxen.  In  those  days  coffee  cost  at  Chicago  12  cents  per  pound  by  the 
sack;  sugar,  6  to  8  cents;  and  tea  25  cents.  Salt  cost  $1.05  per  barrel, 
and  sold  here  for  $6.00  to  $7.00. 

One  fall  a  boat  from  St.  Louis  froze  up  in  the  river  near  Henry,  laden 
with  forty  hogsheads  of  sugar,  and  Mr.  Roberts  hauled  three  of  them  to 
Chicago  for  seventy  cents  per  100  pounds. 

Mr.  Roberts  house  was  for  many  years  a  well  known  stopping  place 
.for  travelers  and  a  noted  landmark.  While  the  stages  ran  past  he  kept 
the  station,  and  provided  food  for  passengers.  He  was  a  man  of  un- 
bounded hospitality,  and  no  man  was  ever  turned  away  hungry  for  want 
of  means  of  payment.  He  has  raised  a  large  family  of  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, who  have  left  the  paternal  home  and  raised  families  of  their  own, 
yet  he  is  still  as  young  in  feeling  as  when  he  first  swung  an  axe  on  the 
prairie  fifty-two  years  ago. 

PIONEER    FRUIT    RAISERS. 

The  first  citizen  who  took  an  active  interest  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit 


FRUIT    GROWING OLD    FORTS.  413 

trees  was  David  Myers.  He  brought  here  a  half  bushel  of  seeds  in  the 
spring  of  1835,  and  planted  them  on  his  farm.  They  grew  finely,  and  five 
years  afterward  produced  a  good  crop  of  excellent  fruit.  He  used  to  go 
south  often  for  seeds,  sometimes  getting  them  near  St.  Louis  and  other 
southern  places. 

His  object  was  to  establish  a  nursery  for  supplying  others,  and  in  the 
warm  and  fruitful  soil  a  very  few  years  sufficed  to  do  this.  Most  of  the 
old  orchards  in  the  County  came  from  trees  first  raised  by  him.  In  those 
days  fruit  was  not  subject  to  the  attacks  of  insects  that  in  late  years  have 
proved  such  pests,  but  apples  were  free  from  spots  and  blemishes,  and 
perfect  in  every  respect.  Those  who  have  seen  the  nice  fruit  Kansas  pro- 
duces can  form  an  idea  of  its  beauty.  Along  with  settlement  and  civil- 
ization came  mildew,  moths,  curculios,  borers  and  the  thousand-and-one 
enemies  of  apples,  pears,  etc. 

Mr.  Myers'  taste  and  fame  as  a  fruit  culturist  descended  to  his  sons, 
who  more  than  maintain  that  of  their  ancestor. 

OLD  FORTS. 

When  the  Indian  war  begun  most  of  the  settlers  volunteered,  Living- 
stone Roberts  and  others  joining  Stewart's  Rangers.  Their  families  mean- 
while sought  protection  in  hastily  improvised  forts  or  stockades,  one  of 
which  surrounded  the  cabin  of  Jesse  Roberts  and  another  the  Beck- 
with  cabin,  while  a  third  and  better  was  constructed  at  David  Griffin's. 
They  were  made  in  the  usual  way — of  split  logs  placed  endwise  in  the 
ground,  with  port  holes,  etc.,  for  musketry.  It  was  a  time  of  excitement 
and  terror,  and  though  the  alarms  which  occurred  told  to-day  seem 
ludicrous  in  the  extreme  they  were  fearfully  real  to  the  actors. 

One  incident  is  related  of  a  not  very  warlike  man  who  hid  his  wife 
and  children  beneath  the  cabin  floor  and  himself  climbed  down  the  well. 
The  woman  and  children  were  the  first  to  emerge  from  their  concealment, 
when  the  head  of  the  family  too,  consented  to  come  forth. 

A  German  had  a  sick  wife  who  could  not  well  be  moved,  and  he 
stayed  behind  to  protect  her,  but  the  moonlight  transformed  every  bush 
and  tree  into  an  Indian  and  he  rushed  to  his  wife  in  great  fright  exclaim- 
ing: "Katrina,  we  was  all  scallupped  by  the  Injines  of  I  don't  go  away 
so  quick  as  never  was.  I  get  on  my  pony  und  go  under  the  fort.  You 


414  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

don't  be  afraid.     Dey  not  hurt  you."     Off   he  went,    and  she   caught 
another  horse  and  reached  the  fort  before  her  husband.. 

Another  incident  occurred  elsewhere  and  is  strictly  true.  An  eastern 
settler,  who  had  broiight  with  him  a  stove,  caught  the  prevailing  scare, 
and  loading  his  portable  property  into  a  cart  started  to  seek  safety.  His 
stove  could  not  be  carried  and  fearing  to  risk  it  with  the  deadly  redskins 
he  tumbled  it  down  a  deep  well. 

FROZEN    TO    DEATH. 

In  the  spring  of  1833  the  body  of  an  unknown  man  was  found  near 
the  corner  of  the  Stateler  field,  by  the  roadside,  where  he  had  evidently 
frozen  to  death.  A  passing  traveler  found  the  body,  a  coroner's  jury  was 
summoned,  of  which  David  Stateler  and  C.  S.  Edwards  were  members. 

The  investigation  proved  the  corpse  to  be  the  remains  of  a  young  Eng- 
lishman, who  had  been  teaching  school  at  Partridge  Point.  A  few  weeks 
previous  he  had  been  to  Ottawa,  and  returning,  stopped  with  Mr.  Roberts, 
where  he  left  a  satchel  with  a  few  things  therein,  and  informed  the  family 
that  he  was  going  to  Washington,  Tazewell  County,  to  collect  his  school 
money.  Mr.  Hawkins  had  ferried  him  over  Crow  Creek  on  his  return 
toward  Roberts,  about  two  weeks  before  the  body  was  found,  and  he  had 
undoubtedly  perished  from  cold.  On  his  person  was  found  a  case  of 
medicines,  indicating  that  he  was  a  doctor,  and  in  his  coat  pocket  an  empty 
bottle  that  once  contained  whisky. 

The  wolves  had  eaten  his  face  slightly  and  otherwise  disfigured  him. 
Some  papers  found  upon  him  indicated  that  he  had  been  an  officer  in  the 
British  army,  but  his  name  has  been  forgotten.  Letters  were  written 
according  to  such  addresses  as  were  discovered  with  him,  but  no  answer 
was  ever  received.  His  body  was  buried  as  decently  as  circumstances 
would  permit,  in  the  corner  of  Hoyt's  field,  near  where  it  was  found. 

THEFTS    AND    ROBBERIES. 

In  those  days,  as  at  the  present  time,  though  not  so  numerous  in  pro- 
portion to  the  population,  thefts  and  robberies  occurred.  Then  the  most 
satisfactory  mode  of  punishment  of  offenders  was  a  resort  to  the  law  of 
mutual  protection,  where  the  people  were  judge,  jury  and  executioner,  but 
there  is  no  record  of  infliction  of  the  death  penalty  upon  any  white  per- 
son, that  dernier  resort  being  occasionally  presented  as  an  alternative  of 


THEFTS    AND    ROBBERIES WOLVES.  415 

leaving  the  settlement,  and  the  convicted  party  invariably  choosing  the 
latter  horn  of  his  peculiar  dilemma. 

Horses  were  frequently  stolen,  but  oftener  by  the  cunning  red  man, 
than  by  whites.  Cattle  were  occasionally  driven  away,  and  depredations 
upon  corn-tields  sometimes  made. 

Mr.  John  Myers,  son  of  the  pioneer  of  Robert,  relates  a  case 
which  occurred  in  1837.  In  the  house  at  the  time  was  a  sum  of  money 
locked  up  in  a  chest,  the  key  being  hidden  in  the  bed-clothing.  A  young 
man  in  their  employ  feigned  sickness  and  remained  about  the  house  until 
he  discovered  where  the  money  was  kept,  and  the  hiding  place  of  the  key, 
when  he  soon  succeeded  in  transferring  the  treasure  from  the  chest  to  his 
pockets.  A  few  hours  later  the  chap  disappeared,  and  soon  after  the 
money  was  missed.  The  alarm  was  quickly  given  and  pursuit  made  by 
the  entire  male  population  of  the  neighborhood.  The  fellow  had  tried  to 
catch  a  horse  pasturing  near  by,  and  thus  add  the  crime  of  horse-stealing 
to  the  theft  of  the  money,  but  failing,  was  compelled  to  foot  it,  and  took 
to  the  prairie,  where  he  was  speedily  overtaken  and  captured  by  Mr.  John 
Burns.  He  had  thrown  away  the  money,  but  threats  of  lynching  soon 
caused  him  to  divulge  its  whereabouts,  and  it  was  all  recovered.  The  thief 
was  taken  to  Lacon  for  trial,  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  three  years. 

A    DEN    OF    WOLVES. 

Late  one  evening,  in  1841,  Mr.  Green  and  Morgan  Barber  were  in  the 
timber  at  Shaw's  Point,  when  the  dogs  drove  a  she  wolf  to  her  den.  Mr. 
G.  made  a  fire  around  the  entrance  and  watched  all  night,  determined  to 
catch  her,  Barber  returning  for  help.  About  daylight  four  small  whelps 
came  out  and  were  captured,  and  later  the  dam  was  also  caught  in  a  trap, 
her  mate  the  while  prowling  around  but  keeping  out  of  shooting  distance. 

The  whelps  were  taken  home  by  Mr.  Green  and  tamed,  together  with 
four  small  ones  captured  a  few  days  before,  and  two  more  which 
he  had  bought  from  a  neighbor's  boy.  He  had  the  whole  ten  alive  and 
playing  around  his  house,  under  which  they  burrowed,  keeping  them  for 
a  couple  of  months,  but  they  soon  became  troublesome  and  made  war 
upon  the  chickens  and  tin-keys.  The  old  she  wolf  was  given  to  Mr. 
Edwards  to  be  used  as  a  decoy,  and  was  kept  chained  up  near  his  house. 
She  grew  quite  tame  and  apparently  harmless,  but  one  night,  getting 
loose,  she  attacked  and  badly  mutilated  a  cow,  gorging  herself  and  remain- 
ing near  her  victim  until  morning,  when  both  were  shot. 


416  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

The  old  white  wolf,  her  mate,  which  had  successfully  evaded  pursuit 
and  been  a  terror  to  the  neighborhood  for  years,  was  captured  at  the  big 
wolf  hunt  near  Varna  the  same  season,  by  Livingston  Roberts,  on  which 
occasion  Col.  John  Strawn  made  a  characteristic  speech. 

Mr.  Green's  ten  pets  having  become  a  nuisance,  were  beheaded.  The 
bounty  then  receivable  for  taxes  was  one  dollar  for  large  and  fifty  cents 
for  small  wolves.  The  scalps  were  taken  to  Lacon  and  the  bounty  drawn. 
The  officer  who  took  charge  of  the  scalps  was  careless  in  his  duty,  and 
instead  of  burning  them,  as  required  by  law.  threw  them  in  a  vault  near 
the  Court  House,  where  a  man  named  Quigg  extracted  these  and  other 
scalps  and  received  the  reward  anew.  On  discovering  the  fraud  a  breeze 
was  stirred  up  and  some  investigation  followed,  but  as  no  evidence  was 
produced  of  criminality  on  the  part  of  the  official  concerned,  the  matter 
was  finally  dropped. 

A  NIGHT  OF  TERROR. 

In  the  summer  of  1833,  a  Mr.  Hale  living  south  of  Beckwiths  lost  a 
child,  and  sympathizing  neighbors  came  over  to  sit  up  with  the  corpse 
and  comfort  the  bereaved  family.  The  father,  too,  was  lying  very  low 
and  none  but  women  about,  when  a  pack  of  wolves,  made  daring  by  hunger, 
and  doubtless  scenting  the  dead  child,  came  to  the  house  and  began  to 
howl.  They  got  beneath  the  floor,  and  scratched  at  the  doors,  seemingly 
determined  to  get  inside. 

The  women  were  greatly  terrified  and  threw  brands  of  blazing  fire- 
wood to  drive  them  away.  Mrs.  Beckwith,  who  narrates  this,  says  it  was 
the  most  dreadful  night  she  ever  experienced. 

Another  instance  related  is  of  a  young  mother,  who  was  left  alone 
with  a  sick  babe  and  no  one  near.  The  cabin  had  no  windows,  and  the 
only  door  was  a  blanket  hung  before  the  opening.  During  the  night  her 
babe  died,  and  then  began  the  awfulest  uproar  outside  imaginable.  A 
gang  of  twenty  or  more  wolves  appeared  and  seemed  determined  to  force 
an  entrance. 

The  mother's  fears  were  for  her  dead  babe,  which  she  wrapped  in 
blankets  and  placed  upon  a  beam  over  head,  and  then  barricaded  the  door 
with  the  table.  Throughout  that  long  and  dreadful  night  the  poor 
woman  stood  against  the  frail  protection,  through  which  the  infuriated 
brutes  outside  tried  to  force  an  entrance.  Morning  came  at  last,  and 


SNAKES AGUE  —  MO8QUITOS.  417 

during  the  day  her  husband  returned,  and  friends  came  to  assist  in  the 
burial. 


SNAKES. 


The  wooded  ravines  and  prairies  of  Roberts  specially  abounded  in 
snakes,  and  fifty  years  of  unceasing  war  has  not  entirely  subdued  them. 
The  common  varieties  most  abounded,  but  the  deadly  rattler  was  often 
found  and  the  settlers  were  compelled  to  be  constantly  on  their  guard. 

Mr.  Joshua  Foster  relates  that  in  1834  fifty-three  rattle  snakes, 
beside  a  large  number  of  other  varieties,  were  killed  on  his  land.  He  was 
once  removing  his  pants  preparatory  to  retiring  for  the  night,  and  thought 
he  detected  the  rattle  of  one,  and  the  next  morning  in  taking  tliem  off  the 
floor  where  they  had  lain,  the  source  of  the  music  was  discovered.  Mr. 
Foster  had  been  out  late  searching  for  his  cows  the  night  before,  and  the 
reptile  had  probably  struck  at  him  and  its  hooked  teeth  catching  in  the 
pantaloons,  was  thus  brought  home. 

It  is  a  fact  no  less  notable  than  true  that  the  bite  of  a  snake  has  no  effect 
on  a  hog,  and  that  these  animals  pursue  them  and  search  them  out  with  an 
industry  quite  remarkable.  And  the  snake,  too,  which  stands  its  ground 
and  seldom  retreats  from  a  man,  will  run  at  once  from  a  hog. 

A  writer  says:  "The  hog,  in  battling  with  a  snake,  strikes  its  sharp 
hoofs  into  the  struggling  folds  of  the  reptile  and  eats  up  his  erstevhile  foe 
with  a  degree  of  gastronomic  delight  known  only  to  the  hog." 

Between  the  snake  tribe  and  the  deer  there  is  special  animosity.  The 
fleet-footed  quadruped,  one  would  think,  had  biit  a  slight  means  of  dis- 
patching its  agile  enemy,  but  with  its  sharp  hoofs  it  stamps  them  to  death 
in  a  few  minutes. 


A    SICKLY    SEASON. 


The  year  1849  will  be  remembered  by  old  settlers  for  the  great  preva- 
lence of  bilious  diseases.  It  was  known  as  the  "sickly  season."  It  was 
ushered  in  by  a  wet,  dismal  spring,  a  backward  summer  and  very  high 
waters  in  June,  running  down  in  August  and  leaving  ponds  of  stagnant 
water  everywhere  to  rot  and  breed  pestilence  and  death.  Ague  was 
universal,  even  far  out  on  the  prairies  among  the  few  settlements  that  had 
been  attempted  in  the  wildernesses  of  grass  and  sloughs.  Along  the 
liver  bottoms  and  borders  of  streams  ague  was  the  universal,  continual, 
xinrelenting  and  incurable  malady;  never  yielding  to  anything  but  its 


418  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

higher  type  of  bilious  or  intermittent  fever,  either  of  which  in  those  days 
very  frequently  ended  the  patient's  career. 

The  people  were  poor  in  every  sense  of  the  wore.  Ragged,  shrunken 
of  form,  living  skeletons,  with  nothing  to  eat,  nobody  to  cook  it,  and  no 
appetite  to  eat  if  food  were  cooked.  The  prevailing  malady  not  only 
afflicted  human  beings,  but  even  the  dogs  and  cats  dragged  their  hollow 
carcasses  into  the  sunlight  and  trembled  and  shook  as  if  stricken  with  the 
dread  contagion.  The  calves  grew  too  poor  to  bawl,  cattle,  neglected, 
roamed  off  among  the  timber,  and  the  veiy  chickens  seemed  to  crow  with 
a  melancholy  languor.  Of  course,  these  were  exaggerated  descriptions  of 
the  general  complaint,  but  several  of  our  old  physicians,  then  young  men, 
who  went  forth  to  battle  that  universal  malady,  still  insist  that  the 
accounts  cannot  be  overdrawn.  During  the  great  freshet  in  the  spring, 
one  or  two  steamboats  and  wrecks  of  others  were  seen  in  the  cornfields 
between  Ottawa  and  Hennepin  by  Dr.  Perry,  who  soon  after  had  occasion 
to  note  "  the  tallow  faced"  people  he  met.  All  were  sallow,  hollow-eyed, 
blue-lipped  and  ready  to  shake  ou  the  slightest  provocation.  Children 
died  of  fever  and  dysentery,  and  quinine,  or  "queen  ann,"  as  they  called 
it,  was  the  staple  diet  of  everyone.  A  store  keeper  of  a  neighboring 
county  said  that  region  produced  two  articles,  "queen  ann  and  mos- 
quitos."  The  mosquitos  were  pests  of  the  most  aggravating  character, 
and  owing  to  the  extent  of  their  breeding  places  from  the  unusual  over- 
flow and  consequent  stagnant  water,  their  increase  favored,  too,  by  a 
fiercely  hot  sun,  the  winged  messengers  of  sharp  bills  swarmed  and  grew 
to  monstrous  proportions,  and  as  the  modern  appliances  of  wire  screens 
and  mosquito-bars  were  then  unknown,  the  miserable  victims  of  the  double 
affliction  were  defenceless  indeed. 

But  there  is  no  evil  without  its  corresponding  good.  The  great  flood 
drove  the  ducks  out  upon  the  ponds  in  the  edge  of  the  prairies,  where 
they  reared  large  flocks.  They  swarmed  the  country  everywhere,  and 
became  so  numerous  and  so  accustomed  to  the  new  haunts  of  stubble  field 
and  corn  that  the  settlers  had  no  trouble  in  supplying  themselves  and 
neighbors  with  duck  meat  in  abundance. 

FORGOTTEN    INCIDENTS. 

Prairie  fires  were  the  great  bane  of  the  new  settlers  and  usually  caused 
immense  damage.  At  one  time  a  "back  fire,"  set  out  by  C.  S.  Edwards 


INCIDENTS    AND    MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS.  419 

and  David  Stateler,  to  protect  their  own  property,  swept  across  Sandy 
doing  heavy  damage,  -and  the  exasperated  sufferers  procured  their/  'ndict- 
ment,  but  it  appearing  there  was  no  malice  in  the  intent  iY  J  were 
acquitted.  At  this  term  of  court  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  present,  and 
served  as  public  prosecutor  pro  tern. 

Though  prairies  fires  were  numerous  and  the  damage  to  property 
great  it  was  seldom  persons  were  caught  in  them,  yet  James  Croft  relates 
an  incident  where  an  emigrant  was  surrounded  by  fire  and  had  to  abandon 
his  wagon.  His  horses  were  rapidly  unhitched,  and  lashing  them  into  a 
gallop  he  crossed  the  line  of  fire  without  danger,  but  his  wagon  and  all 
its  contents  were  destroyed. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1835  a  destructive  fire  from  the  neighborhood  of 
Martin's  Point,  or  head  of  Crow  Creek  timber,  swept  over  the  prairies 
and  did  considerable  damage  to  the  settlers  along  Sandy  Creek.  It 
burned  a  half  mile  of  fence  on  Mr.  Shaw's  farm  and  also  destroyed  his 
wheat  stakes,  as  well  as  W.  B.  Green's  corn  crop. 

All  kinds  of  game  was  plentiful  in  those  days.  In  fact  there  was  no 
great  demand  for  venison  until  the  supply  had  become  nearly  exhausted. 
Quails  were  numerous,  and  any  boy  old  enough  to  comprehend  the  mys- 
teries of  a  stick  trap  could  catch  them  near  any  barn  yard.  But  as  in 
those  halcyon  days  butter  often  sold  for  four  cents  per  pound  and  wild 
honey  was  everywhere  plenty  and  very  cheap,  it  was  only  in  keeping  with 
other  things  that  the  bird  which  "on  toast"  tempts  the  epicurean  to  ex- 
travagance in  the  purchase  of  a  single  specimen,  should  then  have  sold  for 
a  trifle  over  a  penny  when  ready  for  the  cook.  A  good  horse  which  then 
commanded  $40  would  now  sell  readily  for  $150;  oats  and  corn  were  a 
"bit"  a  bushel,  and  hay,  $3  per  ton.  Blue  grass  had  not  begun  to  appear 
in  1843  to  1845,  except  along  the  Ottawa  and  Bloomington  road  where 
travellers  had  fed  their  teams,  and  now  and  then  a  few  straggling  bunches 
were  found  around  the  cabins  of  the  settlers  who  had  brought  the  seed  in 
trappings  of  their  harness  or  wagons  or  crevices  jf  feed  boxes  and  wagon 
beds. 

The  old  Adam  was  quite  as  predominant  in  those  days  as  in  these 
latter  times,  particularly  among  school  boys,  as  the  following  incident 


420  RECOBDS    OF    TIIE    OLDEN    TIME. 

shows :  A  teacher  named  Williamson,  who  was  excessively  pious,  was 
engaged  at  the  Myers  school  house.  He  read  and  expounded  the  Scrip- 
tures daily  and  made  long  prayers —  much  longer  in  the  estimation  of  the 
pupils  than  the  circumstances  required.  Besides  it  was  his  custom  to  re- 
tire early  and  often  to  the  woods  to  weep  over  the  sinfulness  of  mankind 
in  private, —  or,  as  was  surmised,  for  more  worldly  purposes.  One 
Christinas  day,  when  he  had  retired  as  usual,  the  boys  barred  him  out. 
Great  was  his  wrath,  and  his  prayers  for  the  time  savored  strongly  of 
profanity,  but  with  a  rail  he  forced  an  entrance  and  made  demonstrations 
of  punishing  the  offenders,  when  he  was  unceremoniously  hustled  out,  nor 
was  admission  given  until  full  pardon  was  promised  and  an  agreement 
exacted  to  forego  his  longest  prayers. 

<• 

After  Roberts  the  first  settler  on  the  prairie  was  a  man  named  Eli 
Redmond,  who  opened  the  farm  John  Myers  now  owns  and  afterward 
sold  his  claim  to  John  Myers,  Sr.  His  reputation  for  honesty  was  none  of 
the  best,  and  when  settlers  began  to  arrive  he  deemed  it  best  to  emigrate 
and  removed  to  Holland's  Grove,  in  Tazewell  County.  One  day  he 
was  found  with  a  missing  horse  in  his  possession  and  a  hasty  change 
was  desirable,  so  he. removed  to  Mosquito  Grove,  and  from  thence  to  Mis- 
souri. While  living  near  Roberts'  an  old  lady  called  Grandmother  Red- 
mond died,  probably  the  first  death  in  the  County. 

• 
Some  of  the  young  men  of  Roberts  Point  remember  the  notable  chase 

and  capture  of  a  deer  one  winter  forty  years  ago.  It  was  minus  one  horn 
and  they  had  tired  it  out,  and  when  Sam.  Wright  attacked  it  with  a  fence 
stake,  and  the  deer  made  a  plunge  toward  Samuel,  who  in  consternation 
threw  down  his  weapon  and  ran  exclaiming,  "Thunder!  boys,  he's  after 
me !"  The  deer  was  captured,  but  the  discomfitted  blacksmith  kept  at  a 
safer  distance  while  it  was  being  dispatched. 

Various  were  the  methods  adopted  by  the  pedagogues  of  those  days 
to  compel  obedience,  but  the  "original  Jacobs"  in  this  line  was  a  fellow 
who  kept  a  skeleton  in  the  loft  of  the  room  which  refractory  pupils  were 
sent  to  interview.  As  a  belief  in  ghosts  was  universal  and  few  cared  to 
see  the  grisly  object,  his  plan  was  a  success,  and  he  had  the  best  ordered 
school  ever  taught  there. 

At  the  time  of  the  Indian  scare  a  man  named  Daniel  Sowards  lived  at 


INCIDENTS    AND    MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS. 

Low  Point,  whose  principal  occupation  was  hunting  bees.  He  kept  a 
few  cows,  and  one  day  was  surprised  by  a  stranger  (John  Myers)  riding 
up  to  his  cabin  and  asking  the  way  to  Roberts.  Sowards  was  churning 
desperately,  and  never  stopped  a  moment  while  the  following  colloquy 
occurred : 

Sowards — "  My  God !  man,  where  yer  gwine  to  ?" 

Myers — "I'm  going  north  to  buy  land." 

Sowards — "  Good  heavens!  man,  haint  yer  heerd  the  Injuns  is  a  killin' 
of  the  white  people  up  thar, —  men,  wimmen  and  children  ?" 

Myers— "No." 

Sowards — (churning  for  dear  life) — "Yes  they  be,  and  the  white  peo- 
ple's all  runnin'  away;  and  I'm  gwine  too,  's  soon  as  this  blasted  butter 
comes !" 

The  most  notable  public  gatherings  of  the  times  were  camp  meetings, 
at  which  the  entire  population  of  the  County  was  wont  to  assemble.  At 
one  of  these  gatherings,  in  1841,  Camp  Reeves  and  others  of  the  gang 
made  a  midnight  raid,  carrying  off  the  brethren's  garments. 

Among  others  who  suffered  was  John  Shepherd,  of  Granville,  and  the 
next  morning,  like  Brian  O'Linn  of  old,  he  had  no  pants  to  put  on,  and  cut  a 
ludicrous  figure  among  the  brethren  clad  in  a  horse  blanket.  A  council 
of  war  was  held,  while  Shepherd  stalked  aboiit  like  an  Indian  chief,  his 
scanty  drapery  displaying  his  long  shanks,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the 
crowd  and  the  grief  and  chagrin  of  that  worthy  man. 

Others  were  even  less  fortunate,  and  had  to  abide  in  their  tents  or 
under  the  friendly  cover  of  the  bushes  till  they  could  send  to  their  homes 
for  other  garments. 

In  1841  a  school  teacher  named  John  Wright,  without  apparent  cause 
committed  suicide,  and  a  lad  named  Ezra  Cowan,  whose  parents  lived  on 
the  Griffin  place,  shot  and  killed  his  sister.  A  woman  living  on  Sandy 
named  Wilson,  hanged  herself,  and  afterward  her  daughter,  Mrs.  McCarty, 
put  an  end  to  her  existence  in  like  manner. 

One  of  the  oldest  remembered  schools  in  the  Township  was  taught  in  a 
log  house,  half  a  mile  north  of  Sandy,  by  a  Frenchman  named  Du  Fields, 
in  1832. 

The  cholera  epidemic  raged  here  in  1850,  1852  and  1854,  and  several 
fatal  cases  occurred. 


422  UECOfcDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


BELLE  PLAIN  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

DESCRIPTION. 

}ELLE  PLAINE  Township  derives  its  name  from  Colonel 
Belle,  an  early  settler,  who  built  at  the  crossing  of  Crow 
Creek,  and  for  many  years  kept  a  noted  house  of  entertain- 
ment. It  is  six  miles  square  and  contains  thirty-six  Town- 
ships of  diversified  prairie  and  timber,  watered  by  Crow 
Creek,  Martin's  Branch  and  other  smaller  streams. 

A  fine  body  of  timber  borders  Crow  Creek,  and  there 
are  detached  bodies  elsewhere,  like  Hollenback's  Grove, 
Bennington's  Grove,  Four  Mile  Grove  and  others.  The  western  division 
of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  passes  through  its  western  limits,  and  its 
principal  markets  are  at  La  Rose,  Rutland  and  Minonk.  Its  products  are 
mainly  agricultural,  and  its  citizens  are  extensively  engaged  in  raising 
cattle  and  hogs,  which  find  a  market  in  Chicago. 

Though  considerably  broken  by  hills  and  ravines  it  is  considered  one 
of  the  best  Townships  in  the  County,  and  is  populated  by  an  unusually 
intelligent  class  of  people. 

The  pioneer  settler  in  this  section  is  James  Martin,  who  visited  Hol- 
lenbeck's  Grove  in  1829  on  a  prospecting  tour,  bringing  his  family  the 
succeeding  year.  He  made  a  claim  while  here,  which  was  "  jumped " 
during  his  absence,  and  had  to  be  bought  again  from  the  occupant  at  a 
good  round  price.  This  was  "squatters'  law,"  from  which  there  was  little 
chance  of  success  in  an  appeal.  A  man  named  Hawkins  became  specially 
notorioiis  ae  a  claim  jumper,  earning  unenviable  fame,  and  remained  until 
the  exasperated  citizens  signified  that  his  health  would  suffer  by  longer 
tarrying. 

THE    OLD    SETTLEKS. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  township  of  Belle  Plain,  and  some  of  them 


THE   PIONEERS   OF   BELLE   PLAIN   TOWNSHIP.  423 

among  the  first  that  ventured  into  the  unbroken  wilderness  of  this  County, 
located  at  the  grove  at  the  head  of  Crow  Creek,  which  for  years  was 
known  as  Martin's  Point.  These  pioneers  came  about  as  follows:  James 
Martin  in  August,  1829;  Samuel  Hawkins,  1830;  Thomas  Bennington, 
1831;  Jerry  Black,  Pierce  Perry,  Joseph  and  Robert  Bennington,  1832; 
Daniel  Hollenback,  1833;  Nathan  Patton,  1834;  John  Willson,  1835; 
Forsythe  Hatton  and  James  Clemens,  1836;  David  Hester  and  William 
Hendricks,  1838 ;  Levi  Wilcox  and  Win.  Hester,  1844. 

John  Skelton  made  a  claim  in  1835  and  lived  upon  it  several  years  but 
left  for  Iowa  in  1845. 

Nathan  Patton  bought  part  of  his  claim  of  Thomas  Bennington  which 
had  been  secured  of  Hawkins,  who  built  one  of  his  peculiar  cabins  upon 
it.  In  1831  he  entered  from  Government  the  remainder. 

Forsythe  Hatton  settled  here  with  six  sons,  three  of  whom,  William, 
John  F.  and  Andrew,  soon  made  claims,  the  former  on  section  30,  fol- 
lowed by  John  F.,  who  located  near  the  town  of  the  family  name  of  Pat- 
tonsburg,  on  section  36.  The  latter  was  an  expert  hunter,  and  bears  a 
scar  on  his  light  arm,  the  result  of  an  encounter  with  a  wounded  buck. 

Daniel  Hollenback  came  in  1833  and  settled  in  the  border  of  the  grove 
to  which  he  gave  a  name,  his  sons  George,  Jacob  and  Daniel,  Jr.,  making 
claims  in  the  vicinity  as  they  became  of  sufficient  age. 

Mark  Hatton,  a  brother  of  Forsythe  Hatton,  settled  here  in  1840.  He 
was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  serving  under  Gen.  Jackson  at  New 
Orleans. 

Nathan  Patton's  sons  were  John,  who  died  in  1875,  and  James,  who 
died  when  twenty-one  years  old.  His  daughters  were  Mrs.  Porch,  Mrs. 
William  Hester,  Mrs.  McCann,  Mrs.  James  Shankland,  and  two  unmar- 
ried daughters,  living  in  Pattonsburg. 

Perry's  farm  was  partly  improved  by  a  man  named  Bland,  who  lived 
here  in  early  times,  and  selling  to  the  former,  returned  to  Kentucky. 

Robert  Bird,  Sr.,  made  a  claim  in  1831,  which  he  afterward  sold  to 
Nathan  Patton. 

James  Martin  first  settled  on  the  Flollenack  place,  but  sold  his  claim  to 
James  Bird,  who  subsequently  transferred  it  to  Robert  Bird,  and  he  to 
Henry  Miller.  This  was  previous  to  1832. 

In  1836  John  Winter,  who  had  lived  on  Reuben  Bell's  place,  moved 


424  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

to  the  western  border  of  the  grove  and  began  the  improvement  of  his 
farm,  on  Section  35. 

THE   FIRST    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  at  the  grove  or  timber  at  the  head  of  Crow 
Creek  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1836,  and  school  taught  that  fall  and  win- 
ter by  Geo.  Van  Buskirk.  Miss  Mary  Jane  Hallam  managed  the  school 
the  following  summer,  and  among  the  early  teachers  were  John  Burns, 
James  Clemens,  Samuel  Ogle  and  Mr.  Wilcox.  The  school  house  was 
built  of  logs,  after  the  manner  of  all  such  buildings  in  early  days,  and 
stood  near  the  site  of  the  residence  of  Geo.  D.  Hodge.  Prior  to  the  erec- 
tion of  this  building  school  was  taught  in  the  neighborhood  by  a  Mr. 
Baxter. 

The  first  school  at  Cherry  Grove  was  taught  about  1840,  when  a 
school  house  was  built. 

LA    ROSE. 

The  village  of  La  Rose  was  laid  out  September  18,  1870,  by  Moses  A. 
Gulick  and  wife,  and  has  had  a  slow  but  substantial  growth  until  the 
present  time.  It  contains  a  fine  town  hall,  built  by  taxation,  several  fine 
residences,  stores,  shops,  etc.,  with  elevator,  station  house,  mill,  churches 
and  postoffice.  It  is  the  principal  shipping  point  for  the  Township,  and 
annually  sends  to  market  large  quantities  of  grain,  stock  and  produce. 
The  country  surrounding  it  has  no  superior  in  the  County. 

The  town  was  first  christened  Montrose,  then  changed  to  Romance, 
and  subsequently  to  La  Rose. 

The  village  boasts  a  very  beautiful  church  building,  not  elaborately 
elegant,  but  of  modest,  fresh  and  inviting  appearance, — that  of  Trinity 
Society.  This  organization  was  effected  in  1867,  with  about  twenty- 
five  members.  The  church  edifice  was  built  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500, 
and  in  the  following  year  a  parsonage  was  purchased  for  $1,100. 

The  first  preacher  was  Rev.  Mr.  Johannes,  who  delivered  a  discourse 
June  14,  1872  in  the  new  church. 

In  1876  the  Society  built  a  neat  school  house. 

PATTONSBURG. 

Pattonsburg  is  the  name  of  a  small  hamlet  laid  out  March  13,  1856, 


RELIGIOUS  ORGANIZATIONS  OF  PATTONSBUKG.  427 

and  named  after  its  proprietor.     It  contains  a  good  school  house,  post 
office,  blacksmith  shop,  churches,  etc. 

Thomas  Bennington  came 'to  the  grove  in  the  fall  of  1831,  buying  his 
claim  of  Samuel  Hawkins.  He  brought  his  family  in  the  fall  of  1832, 
and  his  widow  still  lives  upon  the  old  homestead.  Hawkins  was  addicted 
to  strong  drink,  and  one  cold  night  when  half  delirious  from  the  effects 
of  liquor  he  wandered  from  home  and  was  found  dead  in  the  snow  near 
Washington,  111. 

Settlements  were  begun  in  the  western  part  of  the  Township  in  1833, 
when  Robert  F.  Bell  built  a  cabin  on  Crow  Creek.  He  had  nine  children, 
several  of  whom  made  claims  in  the  vicinity  —  one,  George  F.,  still  living 
there.  Colonel  Bell's  military  title  was  won  in  the  war  of  1812,  when 
he  served  under  General  Harrison. 

Other  settlers  in  the  vicinity  were  Wm.,  Mills,  who  came  in  1840; 
John  Wilson  at  Cherry  Grove,  in  1835;  Wm.  Hendricks,  1838,  on  the 
John  Brown  place,  now  owned  by  Wm.  James;  Samuel  Rogers,  in  1840; 
Thomas  S.  Dobson,  on  the  Feazle  claim,  about  the  same  date;  Allen 
Gray  and  Jesse  Perkins,  both  north  of  Crow  Creek,  in  1840  or  '41 ;  Jacob 
Fetter,  on  the  south  side  of  Crow  Creek  in  1842;  John  Brevoort,  1845. 

BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

This  Society  was  organized  in  1857  by  Rev.  Mr.  Ellis.  The  leading 
members  were  Rolan  Davidson,  Milton  Davidson,  John  P.  Davidson  and 
their  wives,  Robert  Raines,  and  later  John  and  Lewis  Wineteer,  Mrs, 
Mary  Perry,  John  Bell,  Mr.  Bocock,  Thos  C.  Spencer  and  Sarah  Spencer. 
Elder  Wm.  Brooks,  who  took  part  in  the  organization  also,  was  the  first 
minister  who  regularly  visited  the  flock.  Among  the  other  ministers 
were  Elder  E.  D.  Merritt,  Wm.  Parker,  Mr.  Sampson  and  Elder  Sands. 

A  good  meeting  house,  large  but  not  ostentatious,  was  built  in  1858, 
about  a  half  mile  west  of  Pattonsburg. 

PATTONSBURG    M.  E.  CHURCH. 

This  Society,  the  first  organization  of  this  denomination  at  Pattons- 
burg and  in  Belle  Plain,  held  a  quarterly  meeting  at  the  place  named,  in 
Daniel  Hollenback's  barn,  in  July,  1839.  S.  W.  D.  Chase,  Presiding 
Elder  of  the  Lacon  District,  attended,  and  the  preachers  were  Rev.  Zadock 
Hall  and  Rev.  R.  H.  Moffit. 


428  RECOUPS   OF   THE   OLDEN 

The  organizers  and  leading  members  were  John  Wilson,  Martha  Hol- 
lenback,  Charles  Gulick,  Dr.  Levi  Wilcox,  Mrs.  Nancy  Wilcox  and  John 
Rogers.  Services  had  previously  been  held  at  the  old  school  house,  and 
in  barns  as  was  found  convenient,  as  was  the  case  afterward,  until  1859, 
when  the  first  meeting  house,  a  small  frame  structure,  was  put  up.  This 
lasted  until  the  winter  of  1867-8,  when  it  was  burned  down.  It  stood 
about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  north  of  the  village.  The  new  one  is  in  Pat- 
tonsburg,  and  is  a  neat  frame  stnicture,  capable  of  seating  300  persons, 
has  a  good  organ,  comfortable  pews  and;  tasty  church  furniture. 

Among  the  early  ministers  who  held  forth  here  was  one  named  Wheat, 
succeeded  by  another  named  Stubbles,  from  which  peculiar  circumstance 
the  good  people  were  wont  to  say:  "First  came  Wheat  and  then  Stub- 
bles." Among  other  noted  preachers  of  the  Gospel  who  visited  this 
Society  at  different  times  were  Revs.  David  Blackwell,  Daniel  Dickinson, 
Mr.  Babcock,  "Father  Gumming,"  G.  M.  Irwin  and  A.  C.  Price. 

Two  miles  east  of  Pattonsburg  is  a  small  body  of  timber  known  to  the 
settlers  as  Wildcat  Grove.  It  received  its  name  from  the  number  of  wild- 
cats captured  there  one  winter  by  a  Mr.  Lucas,  of  the  vicinity. 

The  first  cabin  at  the  Grove  is  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  James 
Martin,  and  the  first  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer,  in  a 
log  cabin  at  the  head  of  the  Grove  in  1832. 

The  first  school  house  was  built  in  1836,  and  stood  near  the  residence 
of  Geo.  Hodge. 

Jas.  Dickey  preached  here  in  1836,  at  the  house  of  Nathan  Patton. 
The  Christian  Church  was  organized  about  1845. 

BIRTHS,    DEATHS    AND    MARRIAGES. 

The  first  birth  in  Belle  Plain  Township  is  believed  to  have  been  that  of 
Nancy  Jane  Bennington,  now  Mrs.  William  M.  Hatton.  She  made  her 
first  appearance  March  22,  1833.  Robert  Bennington's  daughter  Eunice, 
died  about  the  same  time,  and  her's  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first 
funeral. 

The  first  wedding  in  the  vicinity  was  probably  that  of  Daniel  Hester 
and  Miss  Hallam,  when  James  Martin  tied  his  first  official  matrimonial 
knot  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  says  he  will  never  forget  the  occasion, 
as  there  were  present  nearly  all  of  his  neighbors  large  and  small,  beside 
a  number  of  strangers  dressed  in  "  store  clothes,"  and  he  was  so  terribly 


A  HORSE  IN  THE  ROLE  OF  A  DETECTIVE.  429 

"frustrated  "  that  he  hardly  knows  what  he  said  or  how  he  got  through 
with  it.  He  was  at  first  somewhat  encouraged  when  he  observed  that  the 
bride  and  groom  were  both  very  nervous  too,  but  when  he  came  to  hear 
the  tremulous  tones  of  his  own  voice  in  the  awful  stillness,  he  felt  weak 
and  faint-like  and  devoutly  wished  he  had  never  in  his  life  consented  to 
be  an  Esquire.  But  he  adds  with  commendable  prido,  "  The  job  was 
sufficiently  good,  as  the  marriage  proved  a  happy  one  and  no  divorce  court 
ever  overhauled  my  work  or  picked  flaws  in  it." 

• 

THE     INDIANS. 

Indians  occasionally  came  about  the  Grove,  but  their  homes  were 
nearer  the  river  where  fish  abounded,  and  they  seldom  disturbed  the 
settlers.  Once  three  or  four  strapping  fellows  came  to  a  settler's  cabin 
and  wanted  food  and  lodging.  His  meal  chest  was  pretty  low,  but  his 
wife  cooked  and  set  before  them  enough  for  double  the  number  of  white 
men,  which  they  ate,  and  then,  like  Oliver  Twist,  wanted  more.  In  the 
morning  they  asked  for  breakfast,  but  the  good  wife  declared  another' 
such  a  raid  would  produce  a  famine,  and  they  were  refused,  whereupon 
they  got  very  angry,  but  mounted  their  ponies  and  rode  away. 

During  the  war  Samuel  Hawkins  and  a  man  named  Black  were  plow- 
ing when  the  report  of  a  gun  set  them  frantic  with  fear.  Quick  as  their 
legs  could  carry  them  they  made  for  shelter,  leaving  their  teams  in  the 
field.  The  man  for  whom  they  worked  came  soon,  and  though  he  hallooed 
and  yelled  and  shouted  their  names,  he  could  not  bring  them  back.  They 
plainly  heard  him  but  mistook  the  voice  for  that  of  an  Indian,  and  stuck 
close  until  hunger  and  mosquitos  drove  them  out. 

A    HORSE    PLAYS    DETECTIVE. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  1847,  a  man  named  Thos.  Dobson,  who 
lived  near  Hollenback's  Grove,  came  to  Lacon  one  afternoon,  and  proba- 
bly became  somewhat  intoxicated.  Dobson  was  noted  as  a  fast  driver. 
He  had  a  splendid  span  of  well-matched  horses,  and  made  it  a  point  to 
race  with  or  run  past  every  team  he  encountered  upon  the  road.  He 
drove  a  spring  wagon,  one  of  the  first  used  in  the  section.  On  the  day 
referred  to  he  was  returning,  and  when  near  Colonel  Strawn's  residence  he 
saw  ahead  of  him  Mr.  Harrison  Hollenback,  a  respectable  young  farmer, 
his  neighbor,  and  with  whom,  so  far  as  known,  he  was  on  the  most 


430  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

friendly  terms.  Dobson,  as.  was  his  custom  when  approaching  a  team, 
gave  the  rein  to  his  horses  when  they  had  approached  close  to  Hollen- 
back's  wagon,  and  tried  to  pass  him.  The  result  was  that  a  collision 
ensued,  his  wheels  catching  Hollenback's  wagon  and  overturning  it,  the 
doomed  man  falling  under  the  box,  the  edge  of  which  crushed  his  skull. 
Hollenback  was  carried  back  a  short  distance  to  Colonel  Strawn's  house, 
and  in  a  short  time  expired. 

Dobson  was  arrested  and  bound  over  to  appear  at  court  on  a  crim- 
inal charge.  He  gave  as  sureties  Daniel  Hollenback,  Jackson  Parker,  and 
another  person,  and  was  released  from  custody.  Some  time  after,  the 
term  of  court  approaching,  Dobson's  conduct  did  not  please  his  bail,  and 
he  receiving  word  that  they  were  about  to  deliver  him  up,  concluded  to 
escape  and  "leave  them  in  the  lurch."  Taking  one  of  his  horses  he  fled 
across  the  prairie,  but  encountered  a  man  who  recognized  him  and 
informed  his  bondsmen  of  his  flight. 

They  immediately  started  in  pursuit,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Blooming- 
ton  were  passing  a  dense  thicket,  when  the  neigh  of  a  horse  was  heard, 
which  was  immediately  replied  to  by  the  horse  Dobson  had  left  behind 
and  upon  which  one  of  the  party  rode.  By  some  unknown  equine  tele- 
graphy it  had  recognized  its  mate,  and  in  this  manner  betrayed  its  master, 
who  was  stopping  at  a  house  in  the  vicinity.  Perceiving  their  approach 
he  started  for  a  slough  close  at  hand  and  endeavored  to  escape,  but  seeing 
them  gaining  upon  him,  drew  a  razor  and  cut  his  throat,  dying  three  days 
after. 

DEATH    FROM    HYDROPHOBIA. 

A  most  sad  and  pathetic  incident  occurred,  at  Bennington's  Grove,  in 
the  fall  of  1838.  John  Bennington,  a  son  of  Thomas  Bennington,  a 
young  man  just  entering  upon  the  threshold  of  active  manhood,  had 
attended  a  singing  school  not  far  from  his  father's  farm,  one  evening,  and 
was  returning  home,  when  a  dog,  belonging  to  a  neighbor,  sprang  upon 
him  without  warning  and  bit  him  through  the  hand.  He  was  alone,  and 
the  brute  would  not  let  go,  nor  could  he  release  himself,  and  it  was  not 
until  two  comrades  came  with  guns  and  shot  it  dead  that  he  got  away. 

The  young  man  was  in  a  sad  condition,  his  hand  fearfully  lacerated 
and  bleeding,  but  such  treatment  as  could  be  was  given,  and  by  the 
advice  of  friends,  he  was  taken  to  Lincoln,  111.,  to  have  a  "mad  stone" 
applied.  It  seemingly  worked  well,  and  the  party  returned  in  light 


HYDROPHOBIA HORSE    STEALING.  ,  43 1 

spirits,  but  in  a  short  time  grave  symptoms  appeared  and  the  feeling  of 
security  gave  way  to  dreadful  apprehensions.  He  became  uncontrollably 
nervous,  and  subject  to  short  spells  of  insanity,  increasing  in  severity  with 
each  attack. 

At  intervals  there  was  a  season  of  rest,  when  he  would  speak  of  his 
approaching  ejid  and  give  such  directions  as  seemed  necessary.  Again  he 
was  taken  to  Lincoln,  but  without  avail.  The  paroxysms  returned  with 
greater  severity,  and  while  they  lasted  he  would  froth  at  the  mouth  and 
try  to  bite  his  attendants.  During  these  attacks  he  had  to  be  chained  to 
the  bedstead,  and  that  to  the  wall.  The  sight  of  water  turned  him  into 
convulsions,  which  lasted  until  all  spent  and  worn  out,  when  a  few 
moments  of  brief  rest  was  obtained. 

Not  long  before  his  demise  he  asked  for  water,  remarking  as  he  drank 
that  it  tasted  as  natural  as  ever;  but  soon  there  came  another  terrible 
spasm,  followed  by  a  gentle  sleep,  and  his  life  went  out  forever. 

It  is  a  little  remarkable  that  the  same  dog  bit  his  master  the  morning 
in  which  Bennington  was  attacked,  and  no  harm  whatever  resulted  from 
it,  the  wound  rapidly  healing. 

CHASING    A    HORSE    THIEF. 

One  of  the  Reeves  gang  once  bought  a  horse  of  a  citizen  of  the  town- 
ship, paying  for  it  in  counterfeit  money.  Its  spurious  character  was  soon 
discovered,  and  John  Myers,  assisted  by  a  man  named  Patterson,  started 
in  pursuit.  At  Hollenback's  they  heard  of  their  man,  and  Pierce  Perry 
joined  in  the  pursuit. 

Not  far  from  Mackinaw  they  overhauled  the  rascal,  and  to  prevent 
escape  he  was  chained  to  Myers  and  both  put  to  bed  together.  Myers 
slept  the  sleep  of  the  just,  but  awoke  to  see  his  comrade  escaping  through 
the  window.  Chase  was  given  again  and  they  came  upon  him  once  more, 
when  his  friends  interfered  and  compelled  them  to  wait  and  take  out 
papers  of  arrest.  This  gave  him  another  start,  but  ultimately  he  was 
caught  and  turned  over  to  the  authorities  of  Pekin,  from  where  he  again 
escaped  and  left  the  country. 

ACCIDENTS    AND    INCIDENTS. 

The  people  of  the  Grove  were  at  one  time  greatly  excited  by  the 
mysterious  disappearance  of  Mr.  William  Wineteer,  a  well  known  citizen, 


432  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

who  took  it  into  his  head  to  run  away.  He  left  his  family,  and  nothing 
having  been  heard  of  him  for  several  weeks,  general  anxiety  pervaded 
the  community.  Some  one  coming  across  the  prairie  from  the  south-east 
reported  that  he  had  seen  a  new-made  grave  out  ten  or  twelve  miles  from 
the  Grove.  On  the  following  Sunday,  it  being  pretty  well  settled  that 
his  grave  had  at  last  been  discovered,  a  large  delegation  of  volunteers, 
mounted  and  on  foot,  scoured  the  prairie  all  day,  but  found  no  grave,  and 
the  fate  of  Wineteer  remained  as  much  a  mystery  as  before.  In  the  fol- 
lowing fall,  to  the  joy  of  his  family  and  the  surprise  of  the  public  the 
long  lost  gentleman  came  walking  in  as  though  he  had  merely  been  out 
for  a  morning  walk.  He  made  no  explanation  of  his  absence,  and  those 
who  knew  him  best  never  asked,  while  those  who  made  so  bold  as  to  in- 
terrogate him  upon  the  subject  received  no  satisfactory  response. 

In  1850  Mr.  Elijah  Van  Dement's  dwelling  house  caught  fire  and 
burned  down  during  his  absence  from  home.  His  own  household  goods 
and  those  of  two  other  families  stored  for  safe  keeping  were  destroyed. 
Mr.  Robert  S.  Hester,  who  lived  a  half  mile  away,  ran  to  the  scene,  and 
reached  there  so  exhausted  that  he  could  do  nothing  for  some  time.  He 
left  saddled  and  bridled  at  his  door  his  fleetest  horse,  but  in  the  excite- 
ment forgot  all  about  his  steed,  and  went  on  foot. 

Milford  Gray,  a  lad  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  was 
killed  by  an  accident  in  1840.  He  was  on  a  sled  going  for  a  load  of 
hay.  The  handle  dropped  through  the  rack  while  the  sled  was  moving, 
and  the  tines  being  uppermost  were  plunged  into  the  boy's  left  side  to  his 
heart. 

His  brother  once  had  a  narrow  escape  from  death  from  the  tines 
of  a  fork.  He  had  been  looking  -at  a  new  pitch-fork,  and  having  stood 
the  handle  upon  the  ground  with  the  tines  up,  was  carelessly  leaning  with 
his  whole  weight  upon  it,  when  the  handle  slipped  and  he  fell  forward, 
one  tine  of  the  steel  instrument  running  up  through  his  lower  jaw  into 
his  mouth,  and  to  add  to  his  suffering  the  prong  broke  off.  It  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  the  piece  of  steel  was  extracted. 

In  1863  Young  Davis,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  George  Hollenback,  having 
been  a  prisoner  at  Andersonville,  was  released  and  taken  to  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  where  he  died  from  the  effects  of  starvation. 


INCIDENTS    AND    MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS.  433 

Game  was  exceedingly  numerous  in  the  vicinity,  a  noted  hunter  one 
day  killing  five  deer,  and  another  day  capturing  three  wolves.  Once  he 
had  a  narrow  escape  from  being  killed  by  a  deer.  He  had  run  it  nearly 
down  on  horseback  and  was  about  to  strike  it  Avith  a  club,  when  the  dog 
let  go  his  hold,  whereupon  the  deer  sprang  toward  the  hunter,  who,  in 
trying  to  escape  by  stepping  backward,  tripped  and  fell,  but  before  the 
deer  reached  its  victim  the  dog  came  to  the  rescue,  catching  the  deer  and 
holding  him  until  despatched. 

He  saw  no  bears  in  the  vicinity,  and  no  opossums  until  several  years 
after  his  arrival  here.  Rabbits  appeared  in  1833  or  1834.  It  is  likely 
that  up  to  this  time  the  wolves  kept  them  cleaned  out,  but  as  white  men 
began  to  make  farms  rabbits  found  hiding  places  from  their  destructive 
foe  and  increased  in  numbers. 

Coons  wers  always  plenty  and  fat,  and  formed  a  staple  article  of  diet 
with  the  Indians. 

In  1848  a  Mr.  Van  Scoyt  undertook  to  ascertain  whether  his  gun  was 
loaded.  Not  being  able  to  make  the  examination  satisfactorily  by  looking 
down  the  muzzle,  he  blew  into  it,  raising  the  hammer  with  his  foot, 
which  of  course  slipped  off.  The  gun  was  discharged,  and  the  ball  passed 
through  his  head,  killing  him  instantly. 

Robert  Hester  was  the  first  to  bi'ave  the  terrors  of  a  prairie  home,  and 
in  1848  built  a  residence  a  mile  east  of  Pattonsburg,  where  he  lived  for 
more  than  thirty  years,  when  it  gave  way  to  the  finest  house  in  the 
township. 


434  RECORDS  OF  TUT?,  OLDEN 


BENNINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

ORGANIZATION    AND    TOPOGRAPHY. 

''HIS  is  one  of  the  younger  Townships  of  Marshall  County, 
named  from  a  numerous  family  of  early  settlers  here.  It 
was  once  a  portion  of  Belle  Plain,  but  after  the  praiiies 
east  and  north-east  of  Martin's  Grove  had  begun  to  fill  up, 
it  desired  independence,  and  was  set  apart  as  a  sovereign 
Township.  Bennington  is  a  full  Congressional  Township, 
containing  thirty-six  full  sections.'  The  territory  is  mostly 
prairie,  and  not  very  well  supplied  with  streams,  though 
beneath  the  surface  everywhere  there  is  an  abundance  of  pure  water  to  be 
had  by  digging  from  ten  to  thirty  feet. 

The  only  water  courses  in  the  Township  are  the  East  and  North 
Forks  of  Crow  Creek,  the  former  of  which  rises  on  Section  33,  runs  north 
a  couple  of  miles,  then  west,  then  south  and  west  upon  Section  3, 
with  some  smaller  streams  feeding  it.  Originally  this  prairie  region  was 
covered  with  chains  of  ponds  or  harrow  sloughs.  These  ponds  have  since 
disappeared  and  the  connections  dried  up  or  dwindled  into  little  depres- 
sions, and  the  extensive  use  of  drain  tile  of  late  years  will  soon  transform 
them  into  solid,  dry  ground.  The  North  Fork  or  Branch  of  Crow  Creek 
commences  in  Section  25,  and  runs  north. westerly  to  Section  7,  where  it 
enters  the  adjoining  Township.  Along  this  Creek  are  a  few  branches,  but 
neither  the  principal  stream  nor  its  tributaries  are  of  much  importance. 

Bennington  Township  lies  in  the  south-east  corner  of  Marshall  County, 
bordering  on  Woodford  on  the  south  and  La  Salle  on  the  east.  The  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad,  which  passes  close  to  the  eastern  line,  enters  it  at 
Rutland,  passing  to  the  north  upon  Sections  1,12  and  1 3,  affording  direct 
communication  with  Chicago.  '"On  the  north  the  Western  Division  of 
the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  passes  at  a  convenient  distance,  afford- 


THE    VILLAGE    OF    RUTLAND.  435 

ing  them  the  advantage  of  competing  lines.  The  Township  stands  upon 
an  extensive  coal  basis,  which  future  ages  may  find  profitable  to  tap  and 
work. 


RUTLAND. 


A  small  fraction  of  the  village  of  Rutland  lies  within  the  limits  of 
Marshall  County.  This  is  comprised  in  Burns'  addition,  laid  out  on  parts 
of  Sections  12  and  13,  Town  29,  Range  1,  East,  Third  principal  meridian, 
with  a  dozen  or  so  of  houses  upon  it. 

The  village  is  pleasantly  located  on  a  somewhat  level  prairie,  but  in 
the  midst  of  a  highly  cultivated  and  exceedingly  productive  farming 
region. 

The  place  was  called  into  existence  through  the  necessity  of  a  station 
for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and  has  achieved  a  reputation  as  one  of 
the  best  shipping  points  along  the  road. 

On  the  prairie  westward  vast  quantities  of  corn,  cattle  and  hogs  are 
raised  for  shipment,  and  enterprising  men  at  an  early  day  built  extensive 
warehouses  to  accommodate  the  trade. 

It  contains  five  churches,  viz:  Christian,  or  Campbellite,  Adventist, 
Methodist,  Congregationalist  and  Catholic.  Each  of  these  societies  has  a 
good,  substantial  building  and  a  residence  for  a  pastor,  Also  stores, 
shops,  a  grist  mill,  elevator,  etc.  The  population  of  the  place  is  about 
six  hundred. 

The  first  house  in  the  town  was  put  up  by  John  Wadleigh,  Novem- 
ber 1,  1855.  He  hauled  the  lumber  from  Wenona  Station.  For  several 
years  there  was  no  house  but  this,  and  the  railroad  "grab"  or  boarding 
house. 

Some  years  later  a  building  was  put  up  here  for  a  saloon,  and  the 
business  carried  on  successfully  until  the  excited  people  turned  out  and 
demolished  the  establishment.  Prosecutions  followed  and  several  persons 
who  were  identified  as  being  among  the  mob  were  fined. 

As  some  indication  of  the  business  done  during  the  year  ending 
December  1,  1879,  there  were  shipped  from  this  point  sixty-one  car  loads 
of  cattle  and  hogs,  and  464  car  loads  of  grain !  Allowing  400  bushels  of 
grain  to  a  car  this  would  make  181,600  bushels  —  a  splendid  testimony  of 
the  richness  of  the  country  around. 

Until  the  survey  and  location  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railway,  Ben- 
nington  Township  was  a  terra  incognita,  considered  of  little  value  except 


436  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

for  grazing.  A  few  venturesome  settlers  made  improvements,  and  the 
large  returns  that  rewarded  them  proved  the  extraordinary  richness  of  the 
soil,  and  their  experience  demonstrated  that  the  prairies  for  residences  were 
actually  preferable  to  the  timber.  Lands  were  rapidly  entered,  and  in  a 
very  short  time  there  was  not  an  acre  of  Government  land  to  be  had. 
Here  was  begun  the  custom  of  open  fields,  the  farmers  finding  it  cheaper 
to  herd  their  cattle  than  fence  their  farms — a  system  that  still  prevails 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  The  countiy,  originally  low  and  flat,  is  being 
drained,  the  first  built  cabins  are  being  replaced  with  better  houses,  and 
the  Township  is  coming  to  the  front  as  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county. 

ANTIOCH    CHURCH. CHURCH    OF    CHRIST. 

This  church  was  organized  June  4,  1864.  Previous  to  this  date  there 
had  been  a  small  congregation  of  disciples  of  this  sect  in  the  north-eastern 
part  of  the  town  of  Bennington  for  several  years.  They  met  occasionally 
for  religious  worship  at  the  houses  of  the  brethren,  but  had  been  unable 
to  sustain  regular  services  and  had  no  stated  preacher. 

On  the  day  named  a  large  congregation,  including  many  who  held 
membership  in  the  church  at  Pattonsburg,  met  at  the  Palmer  school  house 
and  organized,  by  choosing  A.  H.  Trowbridge  and  John  Q.  A.  Houston 
as  Elders;  Joel  Skelton,  Everett  Pomeroy  and  L.  A.  Watt,  Deacons. 
Sixty-six  names  were  enrolled  in  the  original  membership,  and  211  mem- 
bers have  since  been  added. 

GEOLOGICAL      PUZZLES. 

Mr.  Swayze,  in  digging  a  well  near  the  northern  line  of  the  Township, 
in  1854,  on  Section  3,  at  the  depth  of  twenty  feet,  in  a  stratum  of  blue 
clay,  came  upon  a  cube  of  coal  of  superior  quality,  the  sides  of  which  were 
about  fifteen  inches  square.  How  it  got  there  is  a  mystery  which  we  can 
only  solve  on  some  far-fetched  theory. 

In  another  well  farther  south,  in  the  same  town,  a  few  years  ago,  at  a 
depth  of  thirty-two  feet,  imbedded  in  common  clay,  were  found  numerous 
specimens  of  petrified  grass,  such  as  blue-joint  and  the  coarse  growth  of 
the  prairie.  They  were  decomposed  into  fine  ashes,  growing  xipright 
through  the  clay,  thus  preserving  their  forms,  stalks,  leaves  and  the 
natural  position  and  perfect  drooping  of  the  blades,  as  they  grew,  even 
leaving  distict  the  delicate  tracery  of  the  veins  in  the  leaves! 


WATER COAL A    WHIRLWIND.  437 

Some  years  ago  a  person  was  digging  a  well  in  the  vicinity,  and  forty 
feet  below  the  surface  came  upon  a  rushing  stream  of  water,  tending  west- 
ward, of  sufficient  volume  to  carry  away  pebbles  of  considerable  size.  He 
could  not  dam  the  stream  and  had  to  dig  elsewhere. 

Under  the  entire  country,  from  the  Vermillion  to  the  Mississippi,  coal 
exists  in  one  or  two,  and  in  some  localities  three,  veins.  It  was  a  wise 
provision  of  nature  to  thus  spread  under  this  treeless  soil,  a  bountiful 
supply  of  fuel  for  the  coming  man. 

A    TORNADO. 

Terrific  whirlwinds,  often  exceedingly  destructive,  swept  across  these 
prairies  in  the  olden  times,  and  frequently  left  ruin  and  desolation  in  their 
track. 

In  the  fall  of  1846  a  cyclone  suddenly  swept  across  the  country,  start- 
ing near  Roberts'  Point  and  sweeping  a  broad  straight  swath  to  a  point 
near  Minonk,  where  it  spent  its  force  and  disappeared.  Its  track  was 
from  ten  to  twenty  rods  in  width,  the  margins  clearly  marked  by  fences 
carried  away,  grass  twisted  into  ropes,  and  tree  tops  mown  through  as  if 
by  a  scythe.  It  blew  wheat  shocks  to  pieces  and  carried  the  bundles  from 
field  to  field,  rendering  identification  impossible. 

A  settler  was  breaking  prairie  a  few  rods  from  his  dwelling,  when 
he  saw  a  funnel-shaped  cloud  coming  from  the  north-west,  and  could 
discern  objects  whirling  about  in  the  air.  It  made  a  noise  like  the 
rumbling  of  a  heavy  train  of  cars  crossing  a  long  high  bridge.  Ap- 
prehending danger,  he  ran  to  the  house  to  see  to  the  safety  of  his  wife 
and  infant  child.  As  he  neared  his  frail  domicile  he  saw  her  coming  out 
with  the  baby,  her  long  hair  literally  standing  on  end,  while  the  house 
was  just  raising  for  a  flight  in  the  air.  It  was  carried  about  four  feet  in 
the  direction  of  the  wind  and  set  down  on  a  gopher  hill,  which  sprung  the 
floor  so  that  the  doors  could  not  be  closed,  rendering  the  building 
untenable.  His  hat,  too,  went  gyrating  off  among  the  clouds  in 
company  with  an  incongruous  mass  of  movable  rubbish.  The  family 
were  taken  to  a  neighbor's,  the  men  of  the  neighborhood  summoned  to  a 
"raising  bee,"  and  the  house  was  soon  "set  on  its  pins." 

A    NOTED    DEER    HUNT. 

The  deep  snow  of  1854  was  very  destructive  to  game.     Quail  and  pra- 


438  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

irie  chickens  were  nearly  exterminated,  and  deer  perished  in  large  num- 
bers. The  severity  of  the  storms  drove  them  to  the  farm-yards  for  food, 
and  they  were  often  seen  feeding  along  with  the  farmers'  cattle.  They 
congregated  in  groves,  where  a  certain  space  was  tramped  down,  but  be- 
yond this  it  was  death  to  venture,  for  their  sharp  hoofs  cut  through  the 
crust,  upon  which  wolves  could  run  with  impunity,  and  with  thefr  sharp 
fangs  drag  them  down  to  death.  One  day  in  the  latter  part  of  February 
a  drove  of  nine  were  descried  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Trowbridge  and  Skelton 
cabins  in  Bennington,  and  all  hands  were  piped  for  a  hunt.  A  warm  day 
followed  by  a  sharp  freeze  had  left  a  crust  upon  the  surface,  through 
which  the  deer  broke  at  every  step,  lacerating  their  limbs,  and  making 
locomotion  tedious  and  painful.  Soon  as  the  deer  were  seen  every- 
body was  on  the  alert,  and  preparations  were  quickly  made.  Footmen 
were  armed  with  guns  and  horsemen  with  stout  clubs,  the  legs  of  the 
horses  being  bound  with  sacks  as  a  protection  against  the  cutting  crust. 
The  deer,  when  alarmed,  separated  and  started  at  a  gallop,  but  were  run 
down  by  the  horsemen  in  detail  and  despatched.  The  exciting  game  went 
on  for  hours,  and  afforded  an  immense  amount  of  sport.  In  the  open 
prairie  a  deer  at  bay  is  a  dangerous  animal,  but  in  the  deep  snow  they 
were  at  the  mercy  of  the  hunters,  who  rode  up  to  their  sides  and  des- 
patched them  with  clubs.  Not  a  single  one  of  the  herd  escaped. 

LOSING    A    MID-WIFE. 

On  a  certain  occasion  one  of  those  events  was  about  to  occur  by 
by  which  the  census  is  increased,  and  the  prospective  father  was 
dispatched  in  great  haste  to  secure  the  services  of  Mrs.  John  Strawn, 
the  good  genius  of  "ladies  who  love  their  lords,"  whose  fame  as  a  raid- 
wife  extended  far  and  near. 

Her  home  was  several  miles  across  the  prairie,  with  scarcely  a  resident 
on  the  road,  and  as  carriages  were  unknown  he  drove  in  an  ordinary  two- 
horse  wagon.  Mrs.  S.,  by  certain  means  known  to  the  initiated,  expected 
the  call,  and  was  therefore  in  a  measure  prepared,  so  that  a  short  time 
sufficed  to  see  them  returning,  she  occupying  a  seat  behind  him  in  a  com- 
mon kitchen  chair. 

Now,  to  a  better  understanding  of  what  follows,  it  needs  be  said  the 
man  was  slightly  deaf,  and  intent  only  on  the  business  in  hand,  urged 
forward  his  team  regardless  of  his  charge. 


LUDICROUS    ACCIDENT    TO   A   MID -WIFE. 

The  road  was  rough  and  the  case  urgent,  so  the  driver  plied  his  whip 
industriously,  while  the  wagon  rattled  and  bumped  along  until  crossing  a 
rut  the  chair  in  which  the  "Howdy  "  sat  upset  and  she  landed  in  the  road 
happily  without  any  harm.  The  driver,  thinking  mayhap  of  his  suffering 
wife  alone  in  the  lonely  cabin,  was  in  blissful  ignorance  of  what  had  oc- 
curred, and  drove  on,  totally  unconscious  of  his  loss  until  his  home  was 
reached  and  he  alighted.  Great  was  his  consternation  at  sight  of  the  empty 
chair,  but  divining  the  cause,  he  drove  hurriedly  back  and  met  his  charge 
making  her  way  on  foot.  Owing  to  his  infirmity  he  had  not  heard  her 
calls,  but  she  had  escaped  unhurt  and  was  making  the  best  time  circum- 
stances admitted,  hoping  to  arrive  before  her  services  were  required. 

The  little  juvenile  who  heedlessly  insisted  upon  his  advent  into  the 
world  at  this  unseemly  and  inconvenient  season  is  now  a  useful  citizen  of 
Kansas,  whose  name  we  refrain  from  mentioning. 


440  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEtt   TIME. 


EVANS  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

;VANS  TOWNSHIP,  named  from  its  first  settler,  has  few 
equals  in  beauty,  fertility  and  general  adaptedness  to  the 
husbandman's  requirements.  It  embraces  thirty-six  sec- 
tions, nearly  every  acre  of  which  is  susceptible  of  and 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  With  the  exception  of 
the  region  bordering  on  Sandy  Creek,  the  settlements  are 
comparatively  new,  yet  in  substantial  improvements, 
costly  residences,  fine  barns,  orchards  and  well  kept 
hedge's  it  were  hard  to  find  its  superior.  It  is  drained  by  the  creek  above 
named  and  its  tributaries,  and  the  soil  is  admirably  adapted  to  raising 
stock  or  cereals.  Along  its  eastern  borders  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
extends,  crossed  by  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  giving  the  settlers  two 
outlets  to  market. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  pioneer  settlers  on  upper  Sandy  appear  to  have  been  Thomas 
Brooks,  who  built  a  cabin  on  the  eastern  end  of  the  timber  in  1824;  Pat- 
rick Cunningham,  who  claimed  and  built  a  cabin  on  the  Edward  Clifford 
place;  Benjamin  Darnell,  whose  house  stood  upon  the  ground  now  within 
the  enclosure  of  Cumberland  Church  Cemetery;  James  Larkin,  living  with 
the  Darnell  family;  Joseph  Smith,  Horace  Gaylord,  Alva  Humphry,  Abel 
Estabrook,  William  Hart,  Samuel  Hawkins  and  George  B.  Hollenback. 

Mr.  Darnell's  family  consisted  of  himself  and  wife,  and  Enoch  and 
Benjamin,  Jr.,  his  sons,  and  his  daughter  Lucy,  who  sickened  and  died 
that  season,  and  was  the  first  interment  in  Cumberland  Church  Cemetery. 

In  the  spring  of  1830  came  Joshua  Evans,  who  made  his  claim  on  the 
north  side  of  Sandy  Creek,  near  the  iiead  thereof,  and  hired  Patrick  Cun- 
ningham to  build  him  a  log  cabin  thereon  for  a  mare  worth  one  hundred 


EATCLY  SETTLERS  OF  EVANS  TOWNSHIP.  441 

dollars.     The  old  house  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Evans  for  many  years,  and 
until  recently  was  a  well-known  landmark  of  the  Township. 

During  the  season,  also,  came  James  Reynolds,  Thomas  Dixon,  John 
S.  Hunt,  John  Darnell,  Lemuel  Gaylord,  John  Griffith,  Stewart  Ward, 
Kirby  and  Jeremiah  Hartenbower. 

In  1831,  Justus  Jones,  Ira  Jones,  Barton  Jones,  Abram  Jones,  Thomas 
Judd,  Mr.  Ransberger,  Mr.  Simpson  and  Abram  Darnell. 

James  Reynolds  died  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery,  the  second  inter- 
ment, and  his  family  moved  away. 

These  constituted  the  settlers  up  to  the  spring  of  1832,  when  the  Black 
Hawk  came  with  its  terrors  and  rumors  of  massacre  and  murder.  One 
dark  and  rainy  night  the  residents  of  the  locality  gathered  with  their 
wives  and  children,  and  met  at  log  house  in  Roberts  Township,  on  the 
place. now  owned  by  Mrs.  Hutchinson  Croft,  and  resolved  to  build  a  fort 
for  mutual  protection.  The  next  day  each  able-bodied  man,  with  guns, 
axes  and  spades,  repaired  to  the  farm  of  Benjamin  Darnell,  now  owned 
by  Robert  Mann,  nd  dug  a  deep  trench,  enclosing  sufficient  space,  into 
which  were  inserted  split  logs  ten  feet  high,  with  port-holes  where  re- 
quired for  riflemen.  A  well  was  dug  in  the  enclosure,  and  into  this  the 
settlers  brought  their  families  for  mutual  protection.  They  were  as  follows : 

Benjamin  Darnell,  Joshua  Evans,  Thomas  Brooks,  Patrick  Cunning- 
ham, George  Basore,  Mr.  Holderman,  from  La  Salle  County,  Thomas 
Judd,  John  Ward,  G.  B.  Hollenback,  Thomas  Hollenback,  Alvah  Hum- 
phrey, Jeremiah  Hartenboner,  Stewart  Ward,  Abram  Darnell,  John  Dar- 
nell, George  Martin,  Justus  Jones,  and  the  wife  of  Thomas  Dixon,  her 
her  husband  having  gone  as  a  teamster  with  the  volunteers.  John  Dar- 
nell and  George  Martin  promptly  enlisted  in  Capt.  Wm.  Hawes'  Rangers, 
and  afterward  John  S.  Hunt.  In  a  few  weeks  peace  was  restored,  and 
the  settlers  gladly  returned  to  their  homes. 

In  1833  we  find  Justus  Jones  and  family  on  the  Edward  Clifford 
farm ;  Joshua  Evans  on  the  homestead  where  he  first. began  and  ever  after 
resided;  Thos.  Judd  comfortably  started  on  the  place  of  late  years  occu- 
pied by  Alfred  Judd;  Benjamin  Darnell  "'holding  the  fort"  or  stockade 
farm;  John  S.  Hunt  just  across  the  Putnam  County  line,  then  in  Evans, 
now  the  Beckwith  land;  Geo.  Martin  where  his  surviving  widow  and 
children  still  live.  Martin  married  Miss  Lucy,  daughter  of  Samuel  Gay- 
lord,  an  old  settler.  Their  family  were  Aaron  G.  and  Sylvia  Martin,  well 
known  residents  of  Sandy.  The  widow  after  the  death  of  her  husband 


442  RECORDS   OP   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

married  James  Gibson,  and  he  too  died  in  1855.  She  is  the  last  surviv- 
ing citizen  of  Sandy  Creek,  who  arrived  after  the  age  of  maturity,  and 
still  remains  a  dweller  there,  the  others  having  all  moved  away  or  are 
dead.  Alvah  Humphrey  was  then  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  David  F. 
Griffin ;  Horace  Gaylord  on  the  McCall  place,  and  Thomas  Dixon  on  that 
of  Mr.  Adams. 

SURVEY    OF    THE    LANDS. 

In  1834  the  general  Government  caused  the  lands  of  this  region  to  be 
surveyed,  but  the  lines,  as  run,  did  not  conform  to  the  boundaries  which 
the  settlers  had  staked  out  around  their  claims,  and  much  trouble  might 
have  been  anticipated  in  consequence.  To  avoid  all  disputes,  a  public 
meeting  was  held  August  7,  1837,  of  which  Justus  Jones  was  chairman, 
and  George  Martin  secretary,  and  a  resolution  was  adopted  to  the  effect 
that  each  settler  should  have  the  lands  he  had  selected,  and  that  upon  the 
entry  of  the  same  the  settlers  should  deed  to  one  another  according  to 
their  original  claims.  Thomas  Judd,  Joshua  Evans  and  James  Caldwell 

O  / 

were  appointed  a  committee  on  the  subject,  who  met  August  26,  at  the 
house  of  Thomas  Judd,  where  they  reported  a  series  of  resolutions,  declar- 
ing that  the  original  claims  should  be  respected,  and  this  was  satisfactorily 
managed  after  the  sales  of  1838,  so  that  beyond  innumerable  conveyances 
to  one  another  so  as  to  conform  to  the  ancient  land-marks,  no  disputes 
arose  or  difficulties  followed. 

This  will  account  for  the  labyrinth  of  curious  lines,  which  divide  the 
timber  lots  on  Sandy  Creek  to  this  day. 

OTHER   SETTLERS. 

In  1834  Alvah  Humphrey  and  Benjamin  Darnell  sold  their  respective 
claims  to  David  F.  Griffin,  who  had  just  moved  thither  from  Pennsyl- 
vani.  He  afterward- sold  the  Darnell  land  to  Joseph  D.  McCarty,  who 
came  in  the  spring  of  1835.  Mr.  Griffin  has  owned  and  lived  on  the 
Humphrey  place  ever  since.  Benjamin  Darnell  moved  to  Kendall  County, 
Illinois,  where  his  sons  Enoch  and  Abram  also  made  homes,  all  others  of 
the  family  being  dead.  Mr.  Humphrey  moved  to  Rock  River,  His. 

June  19,  1834,  Congress  passed  a  law,  giving  the  right  of  pre-emption 
to  each  actual  settler  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  provided 
that  he  should  live  on  the  same  until  it  was  brought  into  market,  which 


OF   EVANS   TOWNSHIPi  445 

would  give  him  the  right  of  entry  thereof  at  $1.25  per  acre;  or,  if  two 
persons  jointly  pre-empted  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  they 
should  be  entitled  to  a  "  float "  of  eighty  acres  each. 

In  many  instances  the  early  settlers  had  neglected  to  set  out  an 
orchard  as  soon  as  they  might,  an  orchard  being  considered  almost  con- 
clusive evidence  of  actual  settlement.  When  this  was  not  done  fears  of 
speculators  outbidding  the  occupant  at  the  land  sales  were  felt,  but  no  such 
occurrence  is  remembered  among  the  settlers  on  Sandy  Creek. 

In  August,  1835,  the  new-comers  since  the  former  election,  as  shown 
by  the  poll  books,  were  David  Burch,  Archibald  Owens,  William  Brown, 
George  Beatty,  James  Beatty  and  William  Galloway.  Wm.  Brown  made 
a  claim  on  the  David  Moore  farm,  at  the  head  of  the  creek;  George 
Beatty,  on  the  Albert  Evans  land;  Achibald  'Owens  commenced  on  the 
western  portion  of  Albert  Judds'  farm,  and  Martin  Kennedy  on  the  D. 
Morse  place. 

The  lands  having  been  surveyed,  an  almost  interminable  time  seemed 
to  elapse  before  they  were  brought  into  market,  as  the  impatient  and 
anxious  settlers  thought.  They  had  made  valuable  improvements  upon 
their  claims,  and  the  long  continued  delay  caused  them  much  uneasiness. 
They  feared  that  the  speculators  were  plotting  to  steal  their  homes,  and 
perhaps  were  responsible  for  withholding  the  lands  from  public  sale. 

In  the  spring  of  1838  the  Government  ordered  all  the  lands  east  of 
the  Third  principal  meridian  and  south  of  the  north  line  of  the  present 
town  of  Evans,  to  be  offered  at  public  sale  to  the  highest  bidder  in  the 
month  of  September,  of  that  year,  at  Danville,  Illinois.  Then  every 
available  dollar  was  brought  forth  from  its  hiding  place,  for  the  time  of 
all  others  had  arrived. 

As  it  was  not  possible  for  all  the  settlers  to  attend  in  person,  nor  even 
necessary,  since  a  few  clear  headed  persons  could  better  do  the  work  at 
the  state  capital,  yet,  to  see  fair  play,  and  back  up  their  claims  by  wit- 
nesses, a  goodly  delegation  attended,  provided  with  ample  provisions  and 
suitable  outfit  for  camping  out  by  the  way. 

William  Brown  entered  the  Daniel  Moore  place. 
Justus  Jones  "         "     Clifford  " 

Joshua  Evans         "         "     Evans  " 

Geo.  Beatty  "         "     Albert  Evans     " 

James  Caldwell      "         "     Love  " 


446  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Vincent  Bowman  entered  the  Hamilton  Griffin  place. 

Samuel  Cox  "         "     Adams  " 

John  S.  Hunt  "         "     Beckwith  " 

Jos.  D.  McCarty        "         "     Robert  Moore         " 

Thos.  Judd  "         "     Old  Judd  farm. 

Geo.  Martin  having  died  in  July,  1838,  this  farm  was  entered  by  his 
widow,  for  his  heirs,  he  having  made  his  pre-emption  claim  in  his  lifetime. 

No  difficulty  was  experienced  in  securing  these  lands;  no  speculator 
interfered  and  the  settlers  came  home  in  a  most  happy  frame  of  mind. 
They  had  secured  homes  for  their  wives  and  children.  They  began  their 
labors  with  renewed  energy  and  joyful  hearts.  Every  improvement  made 
was  their  own  beyond  the  peradventure  of  a  doubt.  They  planted  out 
orchards,  erected  small  additions  to  their  cabins,  some  of  their  sons  and 
daughters  intermarrying  and  setting  up  for  themselves. 

The  young  people  had  grown  quite  numerous  around  the  settlement, 
and  little  social  gatherings  and  visitings  to  and  fro  were  nmch  in  order. 

VALUABLE    IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  want  of  a  saw-mill  had  been  sorely  felt  by  the  early  settlers,  and 
in  1838  Joshua  Evans  put  one  up  near  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  John  S. 
Hunt  built  another  the  same  season  on  the  afterward  Beckwith  farm,  both 
being  actively  employed  for  years. 

John  Evans  had  set  up  a  turning  lathe,  a  new  enterprise  here  in  1834, 
which  proved  of  great  utility,  as  he  made  chairs  with  split  bottoms,  a  few 
of  which  may  yet  be  found  in  the  neighborhood:  He  also  turned  table 
legs  and  a  variety  of  household  articles. 

Benjamin  Darnell  had  a  blacksmith  shop  at  the  Fort  in  1832,  which 
for  years  was  the  only  one  near,  and  of  indispensable  worth  to  the  farmer. 

The  first  settlers  tried  sod  fences  around  their  patches  or  fields.  A 
ditch  about  three  feet  wide  and  deep  was  dug,  the  dirt  piled  up  as  an 
embankment  from  the  inside  and  the  sod  carefully  laid  up  at  a  proper 
angle  on  the  outside.  It  was  expected  these  embankments  would  turn 
stock,  but  nothing  delighted  the  cows  better  than  to  "horn"  them  down. 
To  this  day  traces  of  these  old  fences  can  be  foiind  around  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

LATER    SETTLERS THOROUGHBRED    CATTLE. 

In  1840  or  41,  Thomas  Alexander  came  from  Kentucky  and  bought 


THOROUGHBRED    CATTLE BLOODED    HORSES.  447 

tlie  old  Darnell  or  fort  farm,  from  Jos.  D.  McCarty,  also  the  now  David 
Moore  place  from  Wm.  Brown,  and  the  following  year  sent  hither  his 
sons  Hiram  and  Hiigh  who  took  possession,  and  the  next  season  came 
with  his  family  consisting  of  himself,  wife  and  son  Thomas,  Jr.  and  daugh- 
ters, and  William  C.  Alexander,  a  son-in-law.  Mr.  Alexander  and  Mr. 
Clarkson,  each  brought  with  them  a  herd  of  thorough-bred  cattle,  as  fine 
short-horns  as  could  be  found  in  the  celebrated  blue  grass  region.  This 
stock  was  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  region,  and  from  it  has  descended 
numerous  specimens  of  superior  graded  stock.  To  Mr.  Alexander  also 
the  community  is  indebted  for  fine  blooded  horses. 

Mr.  Alexander  transferred  to  an  unmarried  daughter  and  to  Mr. 
Clarksou  the  south  end  of  the  fort  farm,  and  the  latter  built  the  first 
house  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Wilson  estate  in  1845.  This  was 
the  first'  house  b.uilt  on  the  prairie,  south  of  Sandy  Creek  timber.  He  was 
the  lone  pioneer  in  that  direction  for  years.  C.  W.  Barnes  had  settled 
upon  and  improved  the  first  farm  north  of  the  timber  some  years  previous. 
He  afterward  moved  to  Whitefield,  where  he  now  resides  a  prosperous 
and  prominent  citizen. 

James  Miller  and  D.  F.  Griffin  both,  have  engaged  extensively  in  rais- 
ing short-horn  cattle,  Mr.  Griffin  continuing  to  this  day,  and  to  him  there 
is  much  due  for  success  in  introducing  and  keeping  up  a  breed  of  pure- 
blooded  stock. 

The  first  school  house  was  built  three  miles  down  the  creek,  on  the 
land  now  owned  by  Geo.  Martin.  It  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1831,  and 
Ira  Jones  taught  school  therein,  the  winter  of  1831-2,  four  months. 

The  first  sermon  preached  in  this  Township  was  by  William  Royal,  a 
Methodist  minister  and  missionary,  in  the  spring  of  1832,  at  the  cabin  of 
Thomas  Brooks.  This  pioneer  "Man  of  God"  then  lived  at  "Roberts 
town,"  in  Enoch  Dent's  house. 

Among  the  first  white  children  of  Sandy  Creek  settlement,  who  were 
born  here,  were  Jarvice  and  Lucy  Evans,  whose  births  were  in  December, 
1834. 

SANDY    PRECINCT. 

This  was  once  an  important  political  division  of  Marshall  County. 
In  1833  it  belonged  to  the  jurisdiction  of  La  Salle  County,  and  on  the  30th 
day  of  March  of  that  year  an  election  was  held  for  justices  of  the  peace 
and  Constables.  The  exact  spot  whereon  this  important  event  trans- 


448  RECO&DS  OF  THE  OLDEN  IBIE. 

pired  is  not  certain,  but  the  best  sources  of  information  point  out  as  the 
probable  one  a  large  log  near  the  center  of  the  settlement. 

The  poll  books,  in  possession  of  Thomas  Judd,  Esq.,  do  not  mention 
more  than  that  the  voters  were :  Dudley  Humphrey,  John  S.  Hunt, 
John  Darnell,  Thomas  Dixon,  Benjamin  Darnell,  Thomas  Judd,  Abram 
Darnell,  Barton  Jones,  Justus  Jones,  George  Martin,  Josiah  W.  Martin, 
Joshua  Evans,  Alvah  Humphrey,  Horace  Gaylord  and  Lemuel  Gaylord. 

Justus  Jones  and  Richard  Hunt  were  elected  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
and  Barton  Jones  and  George  Martin,  Constables.  The  officers  of  the 
election  were:  Alvah  Humphrey,  Joshua  Evans  and  Horace  Gaylord, 
Judges,  and  Thomas  Judd  and  George  Martin,  Clerks. 

The  Justices  are  said  to  have  exercised  their  judicial  functions  with 
credit,  and  the  Constables  were  sufficiently  alert  and  active.  There  was 
but  little  legislation  in  those  days.  The  law  of  kindness  and  mutual  for- 
bearance governed,  and  few  sought  to  take  advantages  of  a  neighbor. 
Business  transactions  were  conducted  on  the  principles  of  right  and  per- 
fect justice,  and  crime  was  unknown  in  this  orderly  community,  so  the 
officers  and  minions  of  the  law  had  nothing  to  do.  When  misunder- 
standings arose  friendly  arbitration  was  invoked  by  both  sides,  and  no 
appeal  was  sought. 

On  the  4th  day  of  August,  1834,  the  electors  met  at  the  new  log 
school  house  and  voted  for  State  officers.  Joseph  Duncan  had  fourteen 
votes  for  Governor,  and  William  Kinney  two;  Benjamin  Mills,  ten  for 
Representative  in  Congress;  William  Stadden,  twelve  for  Sheriff ;  William 
Richey  and  Isaac  Dimmick  had  a^majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  for  County 
Commissioners  of  La  Salle  County.  There  were  in  all  sixteen  votes  cast 
at  this  election,  being  the  same  persons  with  one  or  two  exceptions  who 
voted  at  the  first  meeting. 

In  August,  1835,  Thomas  Judd  and  Justus  Jones  were  elected  Jus- 
tices, and  William  Brown  and  Horace  Gaylord,  Constables. 

In  August,  1836,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and  John  T.  Stewart  were  can- 
didates for  Congress. 

The  former,  on  the  Democratic  side,  received  nine  votes,  and  the  latter, 
the  Whig,  ten  votes.  Up  to  this  date  politics  had  been  little  discussed 
in  public.  The  settlers  had  come  from  the  east  and  south,  and  each  had 
brought  with  him  some  party  predilictions,  but  party  agitation  had  caused 
the  voters  of  Sandy  to  take  sides,  with  the  result  as  indicated. 

William  Stadden  and  William  Reddick,  prominent  citizens  of  Ottawa, 


POLITICS    IN    THE    OLDEN    TIME.  449 

were  well  known  to  the  voters  of  this  Precinct,  and  at  this  election  the 
former  was  elected  State  Senator  and  the  latter  Sheriff. 

At  the  Presidential  election,  November  7,  1836,  party  lines  were  drawn, 
and  eight  citizens  of  Sandy  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.  The  electors 
voted  openly  for  the  candidate  of  his  choice. 

In  those  days  political  papers  had  not  begun  to  circulate  and  stir  up 
that  bitterness  of  feeling  so  characteristic  of  their  efforts,  and  while  men 
voted  on  different  sides  but  little  was  said,  and  no  violent  language  or 
work  at  the  polls  disturbed  the  good  nature  and  serenity  of  the  people. 

The  only  newspapers  in  the  West  were  at  Galena,  Springfield,  Chicago 
or  Varidalia,  or  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  and  when  one  happened  to  stray 
into  the  settlement  it  was  a  month  or  two  in  coming.  Election  tickets,  a 
necessity  of  the  secret  ballot,  had  not  been  invented.  The  voter  merely 
thrust  his  head  in  at  the  window  of  the  polling  place,  and  announced  his 
preference  of  candidates,  the  clerks  recording  his  name  and  tallying  the 
vote  opposite  that  of  the  candidate. 

/  After  a  county  election  it  was  two  or  three  weeks  before  the  poll 
books  were  all  in  and  the  vote  counted,  and  often  a  month  or  more 
would  elapse  before  the  result  was  definitely  known  throughout  the 
county,  and  it  required  as  many  months  to  disseminate  the  result  of  a 
Presidential  contest. 

The  general  election  of  1840  brought  out  the  most  of  the  voters  of 
Sandy  Precinct,  as  it  did  all  over  the  country,  and  thirty-three  votes  were 
polled,  sixteen  Democratic  and  seventeen  Whig,  and  this  was  the  first 
time  that  Abraham  Lincoln's  name  was  conspicuously  brought  before  the 
public.  He  was  on  the  Whig  ticket  as  one  of  the  Presidential  electors. 

One  of  the  voters  at  that  election  was  Joseph  Warner,  who  was  then 
one  hundred  years  old,  and  another  was  Lemuel  Gaylord,  also  a  very  aged 
man,  both  soldiers  of  the  revolution. 

In  April,  1843,  the  question  of  being  attached  to  Marshall  County 
was  submitted  to  the  legal  voters  of  Sandy  Precinct.  The  great  distance 
from  the  County  seat,  Ottawa,  seemed  to  be  the  only  argument  in  favor 
of  the  proposition.  But  it  WMS  sufficient,  and  every  vote  was  cast  for  the 
change.  Bennington  did  the  same.  There  was  not  then  a  single  inhab- 
itant in  the  present  towns  of  Osage  or  Groveland,  in  La  Salle  County. 

The  next  election,  after  this  region  had  been  attached  to  Marshall 
County,  in  August  of  that  year,  was  held  at  the  house  of  Enoch  Dent, 


450  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

the  name,  "Sandy  Precinct,"  being  still  retained,  and  including  then  the 
territory  of  what  is  now  Evans  and  Roberts  Townships. 

Thomas  Judd  and  William  B.  Green  were  elected  Justices  of  the 
Peace,  and  W.  T.  Dimen  and  Albert  Myers  Constables.  Among  the  well 
known  citizens  who  voted  were  John  O.  Dent,  R.  E.  Dent,  Enoch  Dent, 
Livingston  Roberts,  Andrew  Burns,  Thomas  Patterson,  Joshua  Myers,  C. 
S.  Edward.  Jervis  Gaylord,  Albert  Myers,  David  Stateler,  David  Myers, 
G-eorge  H.  Shaw  and  James  Hoyt — in  all  forty-eight  votes. 

Sandy  Precinct  remained  intact,  consisting  of  the  present  towns  of 
Evans  and  Roberts,  till  the  adoption  of  Township  organization  in  April, 
1852.  As  some  evidence  of  the  rapid  increase  of  population  of  Illinois, 
it  might  be  mentioned  here  that  in  1836  we  had  five  electoral  votes;  in 
1844  nine,  in  1852  eleven. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    IN    EVANS. 

One  of  the  oldest  Methodist  Societies  in  the  County  is  at  Cherry 
Point.  Early  in  the  fall  of  1831  John  Dixon,  a  local  preacher  of  Dry 
Groye,  came  to  Cherry  Point  to  visit  his  son.  While  here  he  held  a  two- 
days  meeting  in  the  cabin  of  Thomas  Brooks,  situated  on  the  east  bank  of 
the  little  creek  on  the  west  side  of  the  Adams  farm. 

A  Methodist  class  was  organized,  consisting  of  Thomas  Brooks  and 
wife,  Justus  Jones  and  wife,  Abram  Jones  and  wife,  Joshua  Evans  and 
wife,  Thomas  Dixon  and  wife,  and  probably  Barton  Jones.  The  Jones' 
had  just  come  into  the  neighborhood.  This  was  the  first  religious  society 
organized  in  the  Township,  and  has  continued  with  various  degrees  of 
prosperity  until  the  present  time. 

In  the  fall  of  1831  Win.  Royal  was  appointed  to  the  Peoria  mission 
which  embraced  the  territory  from  Peoria  northward  without  any  special 
limitation.  The  mission  actually  embraced  a  part  of  the  Fox  River 
country.  He  arranged  for  services  at  Cherry  Point,  but  the  Black  Hawk 
war  seriously  embarrassed  him  in  his  work.  His  family  occupied  a  cabin- 
near  where  Enoch  Dent  lived  for  many  years,  and  considering  it  unsafe 
here,  he  removed  further  south  to  a  place  of  safety,  but  returned  at  the 
close  of  the  war  and  filled  out  the  year. 

In  the  fall  of  1832,  Jesse  Hale,  an  eccentric  old  bachelor,  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  Pekin  mission.  Some  of  his  brethren  thought  he  ought  to 
get  married,  and  arranged  for  him  to  visit  a  lady  they  had  selected,  and 


M.    E.    CHURCH    IN   EVANS    TOWNSHIP.  451 

she  willing  to  make  the  best  impression  possible  arrayed  herself  in  goodly 
raiment  set  off  with  flowers  and  ribbons  in  that  day  quite  un-Methodistic. 
The  parties  were  introduced  by  a  mutual  friend  and  results  waited.  The 
preacher  viewed  carefully  the  dress  of  the  lady  candidate  for  matrimony 
and  then  said,  "Sister,  are  you  not  afraid  the  devil  will  get  you?"  The 
sequel  "was  not  a  wedding. 

The  following  statement  of  appointments  may  be  valuable  for  refer- 
ence, as  giving  the  order  in  which  the  M.  E.  Church  in  this  Township  has 
been  served  by  Methodist  ministers  since  its  organization,  in  1831: 

1831,  Peoria  charge,  William  Royal. 

1832,  Pekin  charge,  Jesse  Hale. 

1833,  "  "  Z.  Hall,  John  McHenry. 

1834,  "  "  Joel  Arrington,  Charles  Parker, 

1835,  "  "  Asahel  E.  Phelps,  J.  Arrington. 

1836,  "  "  A.  E.  Phelps,  John  McMurtry. 

1837,  Hennepin  charge,  William  Cundiff. 

1838,  "  "  Z.  Hall,  R.  H.  Moffett. 

1839,  "  "  John  Maris. 

1840,  "  "  William  Justice. 

1841,  "  «  Mifflin  Barker. 

1842,  "  "  W.  Justice. 

1843,  "  "  J.  H.  Devore,  L.  A.  Chapin  (supply). 

1844,  "  "  S.  P.  Burr. 

1845,  "  "  S.  Stover. 

184G,  "  "  C.  Babcock,  T.  F.  Royal. 

1847,  "  "  William  C.  Gumming. 

1848,  "  "  W.  C.  Gumming,  A.  D.  Field. 
1840,  "  "  R.  N.  Morse,  N.  Curtiss  (supply). 

1850,  "  "        J.  C.  Pinckard,  J.  W.  Stogdill. 

1851,  "  "        H.  J.  Humphrey,  G.  W.  Mowrey  (supply). 

1852,  Magnolia  charge,  R.  N.  Morse,  W.  H.  Harvey. 

1853,  "  "  A.  M.  Barley,  J.  B.  Craig. 

1854,  "  "  J.  Matthews,  J.  C.  Long. 

1855,  "  "  A.  Keller,  B.  E.  Kaufman. 

1856,  "  "  A.  Keller,  C.  A.  Stine. 

1857,  "  "  B.  P.  Wheat,  T.  F.  Smyth. 

1858,  "  "  B.  P.  Wheat,  E.  Summers. 


452  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

1859,  Tonica  charge,  J.  G.  Evans,  A.  E.  Day. 

1860,  Wenona  charge,  R.  A.  Cowen. 

1861,  "  "        S.  B.  Smith. 

1862,  Wenona,  R.  Smithson ;  resigned  the  charge  in  April,  1863,  and 
his  time  filled  out  by  A.  K.  Tullis. 

1863,  Wenona,  A.  Bower. 

1864,  Wenona,  A.  Bower. 

1865,  Wenona,  W.  C.  Knapp ;  Wenona  Circuit,  G.  B.  Snedaker. 

1866,  Wenona,  D.  D.  H.  Young;  Wenoua  Circuit,  G.  B.  Snedaker. 

1867,  Wenona,  C.  C.  Knowlton;  Wenona  Circuit,  C.  Springer. 

1868,  Wenona,  Geo.  Montgomery;  Wenona  Circuit,  C.  Springer. 

1869,  Wenona,  P.  A.  Crist;  Wenona  Circuit,  R.  A.  Cowen. 

1870,  Wenona,'R.  G.  Pearce;  Wenona  Circuit,  R.  N.  Morse. 

1871,  Wenona,  R.  G.  Pearce;  Wenona  Circuit,  O.  Jenne. 

1872,  Wenona,  M.  C.  Bowlin;  Wenona  Circuit,  J.  P.  Mitchell. 

1873,  Wenona,  M.  C.  Bowlin;  Wenona  Circuit,  T.  Head. 

1874,  Wenona,  W.  A.  Spencer;  Wenona  Circuit,  T.  Head. 

1875,  Wenona,  A.  Fisher ;  Wenona  Circuit,  E.  B.  England. 

1876,  Wenona,  T.  R.  McNair;  Wenona  Circuit,  E.  B.  England. 

1877,  Wenona,  C.  H.  Brace ;  Wenona  Circuit,  T.  M.  Durham. 

1878,  Wenona,  C.  H.  Brace;  Wenona  Circuit,  T.  M.  Durham. 

1879,  Wenona,  J.  G.  Evans;  Wenona  Circuit,  H.  C.  Birch. 

Asahel  Elihu  Phelps,  whose  name  occurs  in  the  above  list,  and  who 
was  subsequently  Presiding  Elder,  was  one  of  the  most  profound  and  bril- 
liant men  of  Western  Methodism.  He  was  not  only  an  orator,  but  a  con- 
troversialist of  unusual  ability,  and  is  remembered  all  over  Central  Illinois 
by  the  early  Methodists  as  the  great  defender  of  their  faith. 

The  little  class  organized  by  John  Dixon  and  taken  into  the  Peoria 
Mission  by  W.  Royal  was  soon  depleted  by  the  removal  of  Thomas 
Brooks,  Thomas  Dixon  and  Abram  Jones  and  their  wives. 

The  oldest  class  book  in  existence  is  dated  August  29,  1834.  John 
Sinclair  was  Presiding  Elder,  Z.  'Hall,  preacher  in  charge,  and  John 
McHenry  assistant  preacher.  Justus  Jones  was  class  leader,  and  the  ad- 
ditional members  were  Sally  Jones,  Joshua  Evans,  Elizabeth  Evans  and 
Barton  Jones.  Justus  Jones  remained  leader  of  the  class  until  his  death 
in  October,  1849,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Daniel  W.  Jones, 
who  retained  that  position  until  his  death,  in  1853. 


THE  M.  E.  CHURCH  OF  EVANS  TOWNSHIP.  453 

In  the  early  part  of  1835  the  name  of  Barton  Jones  disappears,  leav- 
ing only  four  members,  namely:  Justus  Jones  and  wife,  and  Joshua  Evans 
and  wife.  In  the  latter  part  of  that  year  the  names  of  Vincent  Bowman 
and  Martin  Kennedy  appear  on  the  class  book.  In  1^3(5  Hannah  Rad- 
cliff  joined  the  Society,  and  in  1837  the  class  was  strengthened  by  the 
addition  of  Wm.  Evans,  Sarah  Evans,  Daniel  W.  Jones,  Joseph  Long, 
Eliza  Long  and  Robert  Brown.  In  1838  Mary  A.  Brown,  Almira  Evans 
and  Truman  B.  Hall  were  added  to  the  class.  In  1839  first  appear  upon 
the  records  the  names  of  George  Beatty,  Effie  Bowman,  Louisa  Jones, 
Pannelia  Bowman,  William  Bowman,  John  C.  Bowman  and  Joseph 
Warner.  The  additions  in  1840  were  Rachel  Caldwell,  Chauncy  W. 
Barnes,  Sarah  Barnes  and  Wm.  S warts. 

In  1841  the  Society  was  strengthened  by  the  Alexander  family,  who 
moved  into  the  neighborhood  from  Kentucky.  The  first  death  in  the 
Society  was  that  of  Joseph  Warner,  who  died  September  5,  1842,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  104  years.  In  October  of  the  same  year  Rachel  Cald- 
well was  buried.  July  12,  1843,  Elizabeth  Evans  died  with  the  small- 
pox and  Jane,  wife  of  Wm.  Evans,  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  and 
with  the  same  disease.  Between  1845  and  1850  the  Society  was  very 
much  reduced,  and  even  threatened  with  extinction.  The  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  had  organized  a  Society,  and  for  a  while  seemed  to 
have  a  prospect  of  taking  the  community.  But  in  the  early  part  of  De- 
cember, 1849,  R.  N.  Morse  held  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  Evans  School 
House,  which  resulted  favorably  for  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  was  assisted 
part  of  the  time  by  Rev.  -  -  Johnson  of  the  M.  P.  Church,  but  the 
meeting  was  in  charge  R.  N.  Morse,  and  the  M.  E.  Church  was  most 
largely  benefitted.  Thirteen  joined  the  church  (also  a  few  from  the  M.  P. 
Church),  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  and  out  of  the  thirteen,  five  became 
ministers,  viz :  C.  Springer,  L.  Springer,  M.  C.  Springer,  J.  G.  Evans  and 
Z.  R.  Jones.  A  new  impetus  was  given  to  the  Society,  and  in  1852, 
under  the  administration  of  H.  J.  Humphrey,  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice  was  projected.  It  was  completed  in  the  spring  of  1 854,  and  dedi- 
cated in  April  24,  by  Silas  Bowles,  of  Chicago,  Revs.  A.  M.  Early  and  J. 
B.  Craig  being  pastors  at  that  time. 

The  Sandy  M.  E.  Church  cost  $1,200,  Daniel  W.  Jones,  Joshua  Evans 
and  William  Evans  being  the  largest  contributors.  Since  the  erection  of 


454  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

the  Church  building  the  Society  has  been  upon  a  permanent  basis,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  flourishing  churches  in  the  country. 

THE    FIRST    SCHOOLS. 

In  the  winter  of  1832  a  man  named  Anson  Bryant  was  engaged  to 
teach  school,  and  a  part  of  the  "fort"  was  put  in  order  for  that  purpose. 
The  names  upon  his  rolls  were :  John  O.  Dent,  Minerva  Dent,  R.  E. 
Dent,  Enoch  Darnell,  Larkins  Darnell,  Benjamin  Darnell,  Jr.,  Alfred 
Judd  and  William  Evans.  Five  of  the  pupils  of  that  pioneer  school  were 
living  in  1879,  and  some  of  them  have  become  distinguished  citizens  of 
this  and  other  counties. 

In  the  fall  of  1 833  the  necessity  of  a  more  ample  and  convenient  school 
room  was  agitated,  and  the  citizens  decided  to  build  a  school  house.  The 
site  chosen  was  near  the  present  residence  of  Mrs.  Lucy  Gibson.  The 
size  was  agreed  upon,  and  each  of  the  heads  of  families  was  asked  to 
furnish  his  proportion  of  logs  for  the  building  and  deliver  them  upon 
the  ground,  which  was  promptly  done,  and  a  raising  bee  followed.  The 
house  had  a  puncheon  floor,  stick  chimney  and  slab  seats  and  desks. 
Fuel  was  contributed  by  each  patron  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
children  sent.  The  teacher  boarded  around  with  them,  and  was  paid  by 
subscription. 

In  the  winter  of  1840  Francis  S.  Damon,  a  young  man  from  Amherst, 
N.  H.,  taught  school  there  and  gave  general  satisfaction.  Mr.  Damon 
taught  two  winters,  and  in  the  spring  of  1841,  just  after  the  close  of  his 
school,  he  became  ill  and  died,  and  was  buried  in  Cumberland  Church 
Cemetery,  regretted  sincerely  alike  by  patrons  and  pupils.  No  slab  marks 
his  resting  place.  His  .brother,  William  Damon,  came  here  the  following 
season  to  settle  up  his  affairs,  and  he  too  sickened  and  died,  and  the 
brotheivs  sleep  side  by  side. 

In  the  winter  of  1842-3  Thomas  Galluher  taught  this  school,  with 
about  the  same  attendance  as  that  of  the  previous  winter.  The  season 
was  noted  for  very  deep  snow,  and  was  also  memorable  as  the  time  when 
the  great  cornet  appeared  which  caused  much  excitement  among  the 
Millerites. 

Of  Alison  Bryant  the  following  incident  is  related:  It  was  cus- 
tomary in  those  days  for  the  teacher  to  "board  round"  and  make  his 
own  fires.  In  a  field  contiguous  to  the  school  house  an  old  ram  was 


WENONA    AND    ITS    INSTITUTIONS.  455 

pastured  who  from  long  possession  was  inclined  to  resent  the  ap- 
proach of  visitors  as  an  intrusion.  One  day  Bryant  went  into  the  field 
to  gather  fuel,  and  was  bending  over  in  the  act  of  picking  it  up,  when  the 
ram,  who  had  warily  watched  his  entrance  with  ill-concealed  displeasure, 
advanced  for  battle.  The  teacher  was  unconscious  of  any  hostile  inten- 
tions, and,  as  stated,  was  stooping  to  the  ground,  which  the  ram  inter- 
preted as  a  wager  of  battle,  and  gave  him  a  "boost"  in  the  rear  with  the 
force  of  a  thunderbolt,  throwing  him,  as  the  phrase  goes,  "heels  over 
head."  The  poor  man  gathered  himself  up  and  felt  greatly  like  resenting 
the  ill-concealed  merriment  of  his  pupils,  but  finally  joined  in  the  laugh 
himself,  the  ram  meanwhile  marching  off  with  the  lofty  air  of  a  con- 
queror. The  pedagogue  ever  after  avoided  that  locality  when  gathering 
fuel. 


WENONA. 

The  town  of  Wenona  was  laid  out  May  15,  1855,  on  Section  24,  Town 
30,  north  of  Range  1,  west  of  the  third  principal  meridian,  by  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad.  It  stands  in  the  center  of  a  wide  expanse  of  prairie, 
underlaid  with  rich  deposits  of  coal  not  yet  developed. 

The  land  upon  which  the  town  was  built  was  entered  by  John 
O.  Dent,  in  1849.  In  1853  the  railroad  company  erected  a  small  station, 
and  likewise  a  dwelling  for  the  agent;  and  in  the  succeeding  year  William 
Bi'own  purchased  the  corner  lot  opposite  the  freight  depot  and  erected  a 
building,  which  he  occupied  as  a  store  and  boarding  ho.use.  He  came 
from  the  head  of  Sandy. 

Another  merchant  was  a  Mr.  Gilbert,  who  opened  a  store  in  the 
station  house.  He  subsequently  erected  a  store  and  dwelling  near 
Fowlers'  corner,  but  was  not  successful  and  soon  left. 

Charles  Brown  built  the  first  hotel  —  the  Wenona  House  —  which 
burned  down  in  the  big  fire.  The  house  built  by  Gilbert  was  sold  to 
Silas  Gray,  who  converted  it  into  a  saloon  and  boarding  house.  John  L. 
VanAllen  succeeded  Mr.  Goodall  as  station  agent. 

About  1855  John  B.  Newburn  opened  a  store.  Other  prominent  citi- 
zens and  business  men  were  W.  and  J.  Todd,  who  came  from  the  Vermil- 
lion.  James  Barton  had  charge  of  theii  business  the  first  year.  About 
this  time  Hon.  N.  Moore  came  to  the  place  and  entered  into  a  partnership 
with  J.  B.  Newburn.  The  next  year  Mr.  Moore  sold  his  interest  to  S.  J. 


456  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Taylor,  going  to  his  farm,  two  miles  west  of  town.  The  firm  of  Newborn 
<fe  Taylor  did  a  large  business  for  some  time,  but  was  finally  dissolved, 
both  members  retiring  from  the  business. 

In  1855  the  village  grew  rapidly,  and  in  1857  organized  a  municipal 
government,  with  F.  H.  Bond,  Solomon  Wise,  George  Brockway,  John  B. 
Newburn  and  Emanuel  Welty  as  Trustees,  and  John  Brown  as  Police 
Magistrate. 

Mr.  Bryant  taught  the  first  public  school  in  Wenona. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Dunn  was  the  first  minister  to  locate  in  the  new  town. 
Under  his  supervision  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  begun  in  the  fall  of 
1855.  Mr.  Dunn  was  the  pastor  for  many  years,  the  church  under  his 
care  was  prosperous,  and  from  a  few  members  increased  to  a  large  congre- 
gation in  a  few  years. 

The  town  is  regularly  laid  out,  its  principal  street  being  built  \\p  with 
substantial,  well  filled  stores,  occupied  by  energetic  business  men  doing  a 
very  extensive  trade  with  the  country  surrounding.  It  has  numerous 
elegant  private  dwellings  surrounded  with  trees  that  tame  the  fierce  heats 
of  summer  and  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  place. 

In  1872  the  population  was  1,135,  which  has  since  largely  increased. 

THE    PUBLIC    SCHOOL. 

The  public  school  building  of  this  village  is  a  fine  frame  structure, 
34x80  feet,  two  stories  high,  and  with  an  addition  of  nearly  equal  size 
affords  ample  room  from  its  numerous  attendants.  The  main  portion  was 
commenced  in  1863  and  the  wing  in  1866.  The  entire  cost  was  about 
$9,000. 

Evans  Township  is  divided  into  nine  public  school  districts,  with  a 
respectable  school  house  in  each. 

MASONS. 

Wenona  Lodge  No.  344,  of  A.  F.  &  A.M.,  was  organized  August  22, 
18(50,  Wilson  Ong  W.  M.;  S.  A.  Gray,  S.  W. ;  O.  S.  Davidson,  J.  W. 

The  charter  members  were  W.  Ong,  S.  A.  Gray,  J.  N.  Taylor,  W.  R. 
Phillips,  L.  Luddington,  C.  C.  Radmore  and  O.  S.  Davidson. 

ODD    FELLOWS. 

The  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  Wenona  Lodge  No.  283,  was  established  October 


WENONA   AND   ITS    INSTITUTIONS.  457 

11,  1860,  the  charter  members  being  Geo.  F.  Brunick,  Arthur  Orr,  John 

B.  Newburn,  O.  L.  Davidson  and  Chester  H.  Helm.     Their  first  elected 
officers  were  :  Arthur  Orr,  N.  G. ;  O.  L.  Davidson,  V.  G. ;  Chester  Helme, 
Secretary,  and  J.  B.  Newburn,  Treasurer.     The  charter  bears  date  March 
5,  1860,  and  the  Society  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition. 

/ 

CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

The  Catholic  people  of  this  vicinity  had  no  regular  services  at  Wenona 
until  about  1865,  when  steps  were  taken  to  build  a  church.  The  people 
of  this  faith  in  the  town  and  country  around  were  few  and  their  means 
limited,  but  a  little  personal  effort  convinced  the  leaders  in  the  enter- 
prise that  the  people  wanted  a  church,  and  were  willing,  even  at  great 
personal  sacrifice,  to  furnish  the  necessary  means. 

Sufficient  funds  were  raised  or  guaranteed  to  warrant  building,  and 
the  church  was  soon  completed,  being  dedicated  to  public  worship  by 
Father  Murphy  within  the  same  year.  It  is  40x50  feet,  with  fourteen-foot 
ceiling,  has  convenient  seating  capacity,  and  with  altars,  ornaments  and 
decorations  of  all  sorts,  cost  about  $5,000.  The  present  membership  is 
about  three  hundred. 

THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  1852,  the  Presbyterians  of  Wenona  met  to  or- 
ganize a  church  of  that  denomination.  Those  present  were  Newton  Erwin 
and  wife,  Ira  F.  Lowrey,  Henry  W.  Lowrey,  C.  B.  Rushmore  and  wife, 
Samuel  Horner  and  wife  arid  Wm.  H.  Lowrey.  The  Confession  of  Faith 
of  the  Peoria  Synod,  was  read  and  taken  as  the  basis  of  the  organization. 
The  name  selected  was:  "The  Hebron  Presbyterian  Church  of  Marshall 
County." 

July  10,  1852,  they  met  again,  when  Rev.  Joseph  Fowler,  of  Lacon, 
preached.  Newton  S.  Erwin  a%d  Samuel  Horner  were  elected  Elders, 
and  Evans  Township  school  house  was  chosen  as  the  place  of  worship. 

The  building  of  a  house  of  worship,  coming  up  at  the  next  meeting, 

C.  B.  Rushmore,  Newton  S.  Erwin,  and  Henry  and  William  Lowery  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  raise  money  for  that  purpose. 

May  7,  1853,  a  Sunday  School  was  organized,  and  C.  B.  Rushmore 
was  appointed  Superintendent,  and  Mrs.  Lindley,  assistant,  the  place  of 
meeting  being  the  station  house  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company. 


458  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

This  Company  afterward  donated  to  the  Society  a  lot  on  which  they  built 
a  house  of  worship,  finishing  it  in  1856. 


M.    E.    CHURCH    IN    WENONA. 

In  1856  Ahab  Keller  visited  Wenona  and  made  arrangements  for 
regular  preaching  in  the  village.  He  organized  a  class  of  six,  of  which 
Solomon  Wise  was  appointed  leader.  For  about  two  years  the  Metho- 
dists, by  the  courtesy  of  the  Presbyterian  brethren,  were  permitted  to 
hold  their  services  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  the  spring  of  1859,  under  the  administration  of  B.  P.  Wheat,  the 
erection  of  a  church  was  planned.  The  enterprise  was  difficult,  as  the 
Society  was  small  and  weak  financially.  During  the  summer  the  building 
was  enclosed.  In  the  fall  the  Society  was  connected  with  Tonica.  J.  G. 
Evans  was  in  charge  of  the  work.  The  building  was  plastered  in  the  fall, 
used  in  an  unfinished  state  during  the  winter,  completed  in  the  spring  and 
dedicated  in  April  by  O.  S.  Munsell,  D.  D.,  President  of  the  Illinois 
Wesleyan  University. 

In  1865  Wenona  was  made  a  station,  and  the  Sandy  M.  E.  Church 
became  the  center  of  a  new  charge,  under  the  name  of  Wenona  circuit. 
Since  then  the  two  charges  have  been  maintained  separately,  each  support- 
ing its  own  pastor.  There  is  an  aggregate  membership  connected  with 
the  two  churches  of  about  two  hundred,  being  perhaps  more  than  double 
the  membership  of  any  other  denomination  represented  in  the  Township. 
The  congregations  at  both  churches  are  large,  the  Sunday  Schools  good, 
and  the  societies  prospering  under  the  administration  of  the  present 
pastors. 

THE    WENONA    UNION    FAIR. 

This  enterprise,  of  which  its  citizens  are  so  justly  proud,  owes  its  ex- 
istence to  a  few  public  spirited  farmers,  who  used  to  meet  at  the  Evans 
Central  School  House  and  discuss  matters  pertaining  to  their  interests. 
The  Club  had  been  merely  a  local  affair,  attracting  to  it  only  such  farm- 
el's  as  lived  in  the  vicinity,  but  it  being  desired  to  extend  its  operations 
and  add  to  its  influence,  a  special  meeting  was  called  for  the  purpose 
April  8,  1871. 

The  idea  was  favorably  received,  and  the  interest  spreading  it  was 


•   WENONA  UNION   JTAlfc   AND   GROUNDS.  459 

deemed  best  to  make  it  a  District  organization,  including  the  Townships 
of  Evans,  Roberts,  Groveland  and  Hopewell.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  see  what  could  be  done,  and  another  meeting  called  for  the  22d  of 
April,  at  which  report  was  made  that  J.  A.  McCall  <fe  Co.  would  donate  the 
free  use  of  their  hall,  the  Wenona  Stock  Yards  suitable  grounds  for  cattle, 
and  George  Monser  his  machine  sheds  and  ground  for  the  prospective 
fair.  The  meeting  unanimously  adopted  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Evans  Farmers'  Club  will  heartily  co-operate  with  the  people  of 
Wenona  and  surrounding  Townships,  to  aid  in  getting  up  a  Union  Township  Fair,  to  be  held 
in  Wenona  the  fall  of  1871. 

The  plan  upon  which  the  organization  was  effected  being  found 
defective,  several  clear-headed  practical  men,  of  whom  the  Hon.  John  O. 
Dent  was  one,  outlined  a  plan  which  has  carried  the  Society  to  a  magnifi- 
cent success  and  placed  it  upon  its  present  substantial  basis,  thus:  To 
make  the  shares  $25  each,  which  every  subscriber  must  be  legally  bound 
to  pay  in  amounts  as  needed,  and  no  person  to  own  more  than  a  single 
share;  the  Society  to  purchase  fifty  acres  of  land  in  the  suburbs  of 
Wenona,  erect  suitable  buildings  thereon,  fence  the  grounds  and  make 
other  needed  improvements. 

A  new  constitution  embodying  these  features  was  adopted  and  the 
name  changed,  and  from  this  date  the  association  started  on  the  remarka- 
ble career  of  prosperity  it  has  attained.  Its  first  officers  were :  President, 
Marshall  McCall ;  Vice  President,  James  Freeman ;  Recording  Secretary, 
Thomas  Judd;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Cadet  Taylor;  Treasurer,  John 
A.  McCall. 

The  committee  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  reported  220  mem- 
bers and  $5,500  subscribed,  sufficient  to  purchase  the  required  real  estate 
and  have  a  handsome  surplus  over.  '  The  Society  at  once  began  prepara- 
tions for  their  first  exhibition  by  offering  $20,000  in  premiums,  and  the 
Fair  held  October  3  to  (j  (inclusive),  1871,  was  a  surprising  success. 

The  fifty-five  acres  of  land  were  purchased  in  the  south-western  limits 
of  the  town,  and  convenient  buildings — large  and  permanent,  were 
erected,  also  a  fine  track  made,  with  other  desired  conveniences.  The 
cost  of  grounds  and  improvements  up  to  1880  amounts  to  $20,000. 

Since  then,  annual  Fairs  have  been  held,  each  one  seemingly  an  im- 
provement on  its  predecessors.  In  premiums,  number  of  exhibitors  and 


460  RECORDS   OP   THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

attendance  it  fairly  rivals  the  State  Fair,  and  its  success  promises  to  be  as 
lasting  as  it  is  satisfactory. 


EVANS   STATION. 

Between  Varna  and  Wenona,  on  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis 
Railroad,  is  located  Evans  Station.  The  oldest  settler  in  the  Township, 
dating  from  his  occupancy,  is  Dr.  Cornelius  Perry,  who  came  in  1853. 

The  next  to  settle  in  the  vicinity  were  Joseph  Frazer,  one-half  mile 
south,  and  David  Baker  the  same  distance  north  of  the  Station,  in  the 
same  year.  L.  A.  Watt  came  in  1855,  making  his  home  one  and  a  fourth 
mile  from  Evans.  John  Algoe  came  in  1856. 

The  first  school  house  was  in  District  No.  8,  built  in  1859.  Their 
nearest  church  was  at  Sandy,  five  and  three-quarters  miles  distant,  or, 
later,  at  Weuona,  a  trifle  further  away. 

In  this  vicinity,  it  is  said,  is  the  greatest  elevation  between  the  Illinois 
and  W abash  Rivers,  though  the  statement  needs  verification.  Standing 
here  on  a  clear  day  a  good  pair  of  eyes  can  see  the  towns  of  Wenona, 
Lostant,  Minonk,  Rutland,  Pattonsburg,  Varna  and  the  spires  of  the 
churches  at  Mt.  Palatine. 

METHODIST   PROTESTANT    CHURCH    IN    EVANS. 

\ 

In  1844  or  1845  Rev.  Mr.  Woolston,  a  minister  of  the  M.  P.  Church 
visited  the  head  of  Sandy  and  established  a  regular  appointment.  He  was 
succeeded  by  J.  P.  Strong,  who  organized  a  class,  which  was  quite  .pros- 
perous for  a  few  years.  George  Beatty,  James  Caldwell,  Vincent  Bow- 
man, William  Swarts,  and  -  -  Talbert  were  among  the  leading  members. 

The  ministers  who  traveled  the  circuit  to  which  the  appointment  at 
Cherry  Point  belonged,  were  Woolston,  Strong,  Fowler,  Roy,  Johnson 
and  Young. 

The  Society  has  long  since  entirely  disappeared. 


INCIDENTS  AND  ITEMS. 

In  Cherry  Point  Cemetery,  on  the  farm  of  Albert  Evans,  in  an  unmarked 
grave,  lies  the  honored  remains  of  Joseph  Warner,  a  soldier  of  the  war 


THE   GRAVES   WHERE    OUR   HEROES    ARE   BURIED.  40} 

of  the  Revolution,  and  in  Cumberland  cemetery  repose  those  of  Lemuel 
Gaylord,  whose  brief  history  as  repeated  by  himself  has  been  told  else- 
where. Mr.  Warner  was  born  on  the  shore  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  of  Irish 
parentage,  in  1 738.  He  was  left  an  orphan  and  underwent  many  hard- 
ships, until  he  attained  his  majority.  When  the  Colonies  revolted  he 
became  a  soldier  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  the  particulars 
of  which  he  was  fond  of  relating,  it  being  his  greatest  pleasiire  in  later 
years  to  gather  the  children  about  him— 

•'  Tell  o'er  Ins  deeds  and  tales  of  valor  done, 
Shoulder  his  cratch  and  show  how  fields  were  won." 

After  the  war  he  settled  near  Mount  Vernon,  Va.,  where  his  old  com- 
mander resided,  and  lived  there  until  his  removal  to  Madison  County, 
Ohio.  He  cleared  a  farm  here,  and  lived  until  1838.  He  was  now  one 
hundred  years  old,  and  many  of  his  immediate  relatives  had  paid  the  debt 
of  nature.  His  property  had  been  given  to  his  children  except  "  Lib- 
bie,"  a  faithful  old  horse  twenty^seven  years  old,  his  companion  for 
many  years.  A  grandson, —  Justus  Jones,  had  settled  in  Illinois,  and 
with  the  perverse  restlessness  of  old  age  he  determined  to  search  out  and 
visit  him.  His  family  strongly  opposed  this,  but  one  day  when  they  were 
absent  he  mounted  his  nag  and  stole  away  unobserved,  turning  westward. 
He  had  no  money,  but  his  simple  story  made  friends  everywhere,  and  the 
kindliest  care  was  his  until  he  reached  Chicago.  He  knew  nothing  con- 
cerning his  friends  whereabouts,  but  struck  south-westwardly,  and  fortu- 
nately rode  right  into  the  neighborhood  while  prosecuting  his  inquiries. 
He  found  here  kind  friends,  and  remained  with  them  until  his  death,  Sep- 
tember 5,  1842-,  aged  104  years. 

Among  the  exciting  and  ever  popular  amusements  of  the  long  ago, 
were  the  corn-shucking  bees  of  young  and  old,  at  each  others  houses. 

The  corn,  plucked  off  and  hauled  home,  was  thrown  upon  the 
ground,  or  on  the  barn  floor  when  large  enough,  in  long  piles  or 
ricks.  The  men  and  boys  of  the  neighborhood  were  bidden  to  the  "bee," 
sides  were  chosen,  the  corn  divided  and  "then  came  the  tug  of  war,"  the 
contest  sometimes  lasting  two  or  three  hours.  At  its  conclusion  the  vic- 
torious side  bore  their  captain  on  the  shoulders  of  three  or  four  stalwarts 
in  triumph  to  the  house  to  receive  the  plaudits  and  congratulations  of  the 
ladies,  the  vanquished  following  in  their  wake  in  mournful  procession. 
Then  all  partake  of  a  bountiful  supper  prepared  by  the  ladies,  who 


462  RECORDS  oi-  THE 

invited  to  contribute  their  part  to  the  festivities  of  the  occasion,  would 
come  in  their  prettiest  outfits,  and  after  the  tables  were  cleared  an  old- 
fashioned  party  would  follow,  lasting  iisually  till  the  "we  sma'  hours"  of 
morning. 

Alarms  were  frequent  during  the  Indian  troubles,  and  one  of  them 
was  rather  serious.  Mr.  Evans  was  a  man  of  considerable  nerve,  and 
while  others  were  forted  up  he  remained  on  his  farm.  One  day  while  at 
work  with  his  son  William  and  a  Mr.  Basore,  guns  were  heard  and  a 
couple  of  men  were  seen  running  over  the  hill,  as  if  pursued.  William 
was  quickly  mounted  and  directed  to  ride  swiftly  to  the  house  and  carry 
the  family  to  the  fort,  while  Evans  senior  and  Basore  remained  to  retard 
pursuit,  and  if  need  be,  sell  their  lives  dearly.  The  alarm  was  a  false  one, 
however,  as  no  Indians  were  seen. 

One  night  as  Benjamin  Darnell  was  standing  guard,  he  saw  something 
in  the  moonlight,  which  he  took  to  be  an  Indian.  His  fLiing  alarmed  the 
inmates,  when  it  was  discovered  lo  be  the  family  cow. 


NEWSPAPERS. 

The  village  of  Wenona  has  supported  a  newspaper  since  February  23, 
1865,  at  which  time  Grable  &  Crosby,  two  young  printers,  established  the 
News  Index.  Mr.  Grable  had  experience  in  newspaper  management  for  a 
time  during  the  war,  at  Hennepin,  while  Mr.  Crosby  was  in  the  service, 
coming  here  upon  the  close  of  the  war.  The  News  Index  was  a  seven 
column  folio,  creditable  alike  to  its  publishers  and  the  village,  and  was 
well  patronized  by  the  community. 

August  17,  1865,  Mr.  Crosby  sold  out  to  his  partner,  but  the  next 
week  bought  out  Grable  and  became  sole  publisher  and  proprietor,  con- 
tinuing control  until  February  15,  1867,  when  he  sold  to  William  Parker. 
He  had  long  been  a  sufferer  from  consumption,  and  died  in  the  June  fol- 
lowing at  Clinton,  Iowa.  He  was  a  noble  young  man  and  a  spicy  writer. 

Mr.  Parker  continued  alone  in  the  management  until  June  26,  1868, 
when  Cadet  Taylor  bought  a  half  interest,  the  partnership  lasting  until 
June  2,  1870,  when  Mr.  Taylor  bought  the  whole  establishment. 

Mr.  Parker  was  a  genial  gentleman,  with  whom  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
have  dealings,  and  during  the  continuance  of  this  partnership  both  the 
Index  and  its  proprietors  prospered. 


WENONA    NEWSPAPERS.  463 

After  the  accession  of  Mr.  Taylor  to  the  sole  management  he  invested 
the  proceeds  of  his  business  from  time  to  time  in  new  material  and  dropped 
the  word  °l  News"  from  the  name  of  his  paper.  In  politics  the  Index  is 
independent  within  Republican  limits.  From  the  time  it  was  established 
it  has  deserved  and  received  a  very  liberal  support. 

During  the  last  year  of  the  war  Mr.  L.  B.  Barnes,  a  telegraph  opera- 
tor, printed  a  small  sheet,  entitled  the  Sentinel,  which  was  well  received 
as  an  amateur  publication. 

In  1875  a  Mr.  Burroughs  started  the  Wenona  Tribune,  but  suspended 
after  a  three  month's  straggle. 


464 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 


HIGHLAND  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION. 

Township  was  named  by  John  Strawn  from  the  place 
from  whence  he  came  in  Ohio.  It  is  six  miles  square,  made 
up  of  prairie  and  timber  and  is  unusually  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive. Crow  Creek  passes  through  its  southern  border 
with  intersecting  streams  that  cut  the  surface  into  rug- 
ged bluffs  and  deep  ravines,  with  well  cultivated  fields 
in  the  valleys.  Other  minor  streams  are  Pidgeon  Creek 
and  Strawn's  Run.  Although  possessing  much  broken  land, 

its  numerous  advantages,  fine  soil  and  timber,  made  it  the  choice  of  the 

early  settlers  in  all  this  region. 

ROUND    PRAIRIE. 

The  fertile  prairie  east  of  Lacon,  in  the  Townships  of  Hopewell  and 
Richland,  now  covered  with  highly  cultivated  farms  and  princely  resi- 
dences, was  named  by  the  early  settlers  "Round  Prairie,"  indicative  of  its 
general  appearance.  It  is  semi-circular  in  form,  about  six  miles  long  by 
four  wide,  surrounded  by  thrifty  groves  and  ranges  of  timber,  skirting 
which  the  first  settlers  made  their  claims.  It  was  first  visited,  so  far  as 
we  have  any  record,  by  John  Strawn,  who  came  here  on  a  prospecting 
tour  in  1828. 

While  to  John  Strawn  belongs  the  credit  of  being  the  earliest  perma- 
nent settler,  the  patriarch  of  Round  Prairie  was  Robert  Barnes,  who, 
along  with  his  family  and  a  brother-in-law  named  James  Dever,  settled 
here  in  November,  1829.  They  first  visited  Hennepin,  and  after  a  short 
stop  moved  into  a  vacant  cabin  near  Jesse  Roberts',  when  leaving  their 
families,  they  started  upon  a  prospecting  tour  to  Colonel  Strawn's,  from 
whom  they  bought  a  claim  near  the  Babb  place,  to  which  they  brought 


BOUND    PRAIRIE FIRST    SETTLERS.  465 

their  families ;  but  the  sight  of  the  large  swamp  in  front  discouraged  the 
female  portion,  and  deterred  them  from  remaining. 

A  few  days  were  spent  in  searching  a  new  locality,  when  they  selected 
a  claim  on  Section  fifteen,  to  which  they  drove  their  wagons  and  began  to 
get  out  logs  for  a  cabin,  which  was  raised  November  18,  1830.  Their 
cabin  was  raised  and  roofed  the  same  day  and  they  slept  in  it  that  night. 
Next  day  they  put  up  a  stick  and  mud  chimney,  and  as  soon  after  as  pos- 
siblj  a  puncheon  floor.  The  chimney  had  only  been  finished  up  to  the 
rafters  when  a  storm  come  on  and  prevented  its  completion. 

The  winter  was  a  hard  one,  deep  snow  covering  the  ground,  and  to 
add  to  their  labors  the  cattle  had  to  be  subsisted  on  the  tender  tops  of 
trees  Ciit  down  for  the  purpose.  In  the  little  cabin  food,  such  as  it  was, 
was  pentiful,  but  it  consisted  mainly  of  corn.  A  kind  neighbor,  who 
came  in  that  fall,  had  a  supply  of  pork,  which  was  kindly  proffered  and 
accepted  with  thanks.  Deer  abounded  in  the  woods,  but  they  were  poor 
and  their  flesh  of  little  value. 

In  this  condition  the  two  families  passed  the  winter  known  as  that 
of  the  great  snow.  They  were  shut  in  from  the  outer  world,  but  peace 
and  contentment  reigned,  and  they  looked  forward  with  confidence 
and  hope  that  never  faltered  to  the  coming  of  spring,  which  would 
clothe  the  now  bleak  prairies  with  "living  green."  Although  their 
low  cabin  seemed  cut  off  from  the  world,  they  were  not  wholly 
separated  from  friends  and  neighbors.  On  the  southern  edge  of 
the  prairie  Robert  Bird  had  built  a  cabin,  and  a  Mr.  Burt  and  Mr. 
Phillips  were  in  the  vicinity,  also  a  family  named  Waughob  lived  on  the 
"Tommy  Jones  "  farm,  and  Daniel  Bland  had  built  a  cabin  on  what  after- 
ward became  the  Thompson  place.  He  came  from  Indiana  and  designed 
moving  here  in  the  spring,  but  sickness  came,  long  delaying  the  execution 
of  his  plans.  Before  fully  recovered,  he  loaded  his  goods  and  started  on 
their  long  overland  journey,  arriving  late  in  the  fall.  A  cabin  was  put 
up,  but  the  labor  was  too  great,  and  his  overtaxed  system  gave  way.  For 
a  long  time  he  hovered  between  life  and  death,  and  then  his  weary  spirit 
took  its  flight. 

H.  B.  Barnes  came  in  the  fall  of  1834  with  his  mother  and  little 
daughter,  he  then  being  a  widower.  Th*  y  found  a  home  with  his  sister, 
Mrs,  Nancy  Dever,  until  June,  183(5,  when  he  began  to  improve  his  pres- 
ent homestead,  and  built  a  log  house,  which  in  the  spring  of  1839  took 
fire,  and  was  burned  to  the  ground  with  all  his  household  effects.  The 


466  KKCOKDS    OF    THE   OLDEN    TIME. 

family  had  left  it  in  the  morning  and  gone  away  with  everything  safe 
from  fire  as  was  supposed,  but  on  returning  at  nine  P.  M.  found  it  all 
ablaze.  The  fire  was  attributed  to  accident.  He  at  once  rebuilt,  and  his 
new  residence  was  probably  the  first  frame  house  in  the  settlement. 
Another  early  settler  was  Col.  Samuel  M.  Kilgore,  who  removed  hvre 
in  1834. 

John  Dever  came  in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  located  near  the  farm  of 
James  Dever,  who  died  on  Christmas  day,  1834,  and  John  died  a  week 
later  in  January,  1835.  Both  were  buried  at  the  corner  of  Section  15, 
but  have  been  taken  up  and  interred  in  the  Barnes  cemetery.  The  widow 
of  John  Dever  still  lives  with  her  son  in  Lacon. 

Robert  Iliff  located  near  the  Barnes  place  at  an  early  day,  and  Joseph 
Burt  made  a  claim  near  what  was  afterward  the  farm  of  Harvey  Scott, 
about  1831. 

John,  William  and  Allen  Gray  made  claims  where  the  present  Drake 
farm  is,  about  1834. 

Archibald  Johnson  made  a  claim  near  Owen's  place  during  the  fall  of 
the  same  year. 

Benjamin  Fort  and  family  came  to  Richland  in  the  spring  of  1834, 
and  opened  a  farm  near  the  homes  of  John  and  James  Dever,  brothers  of 
Mrs.  Fort.  Mr.  Fort's  family  consisted  of  himself  and  wife  and  daugh- 
ters; Sarah,  afterward  Mrs.  Chas.  Gapen;  Mary  Ann,  who  became  Mrs. 
Joseph  Titus;  Washington W.  and  Greenbury  L.  Fort,  Member  of  Congress. 

The  old  homestead  of  the  Fort  family,  after  the  death  of  Benjamin, 
became  the  property  of  Greenbuiy  L.  Fort,  and  by  him  was  conveyed 
to  William  Spangler. 

H.  B.  Barnes  was  married  "in  1839  to  Jane  M.  Kilgore.  They  have 
had  six  children  born  to  them,  and  still  live  on  the  old  homestead.  Their 
children  were,  Isabella  K.,  living  af  home ;  Louisa  (Mrs.  Willliam  Kil- 
gore, of  Livingston  County);  Dr.  Samuel  M.  M.  and  Dr.  H.  E.  W.,  both 
at  Fairbury;  Alvira  S.,  at  home,  and  Erastus  T.,  dead. 

Abraham  Keedy  came  in  1834,  settling  on  what  has  since  been  known 
as  the  Joseph  Sharp  place.  He  had  six  children,  and  three  were  born  after 
his  arrival.  He  lived  in  a  rail  pen  for  several  weeks  until  he  could  con- 
struct a  suitable  cabin. 

Another  settler  was  Hoel  Doddy,  who  improved  the  Hoover  place. 

Virgil  Lancaster  in  1835  owned  a  claim  which  he  sold  to  Wm.  Mur- 
phy. Murphy  oame  in  183G.  John  Foster  arrived  here  the  latter  year, 


EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    HIGHLAND    TOWNSHIP.  4(l7 

and  John  C.  Foster  in  the  spring  of  1840,  the  latter  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Allen  J.  Keedy.  Mrs.  Keeily  has  a  bureau  and  chair  brought  by  Mr. 
Foster  to  this  country.  Mrs.  H.  B.  Barnes  has  also  an  interest- 
ing heirloom,  being  a  knife  box  made  in  1814,  by  Thomas  Barnes,  the 
father  of  the  Barm  s  family,  who  moved  thither  from  Scioto,  Ohio. 

J.  Allen  Keedy  came  here  with  his  father,  Abram  Keedy,  and  in  a 
few  years  settled  on  his  present  place. 

The  Remley's— father  and  son,  came  about  the  same  time.  They 
were  cabinet  makers,  and  worked  occasionally  at  their  trade. 

Wood  ford  Fisher  "took  up"  the  Pichereau  place  in  1835. 

Wm.  Spangler  came  here  in  1835,  James  Work  also. 

John  Gray,  in  1836,  bought  the  Robert  Barnes  homestead,  lived  there 
two  years  and  sold  to  John  Ramsay. 

John  Ramsay  settled  on  the  Barnes  farm  in  1838.  Joseph  Titus  came 
in  the  fall  of  1839.  His  brother  Jesse  Titus  followed,  and,  having  died, 
his  widow  married  John  Titus. 

Joseph  Brown  located  on  the  prairie,  near  J.  A.  Keedy's,  in  1842. 
Wm.  B.  Thomas,  near  Strawn's  about  the  same  time. 

Andrew  Jackson  arrived  here  in  1835,  and  settled  on  the  Hoover 
place,  which  he  bought  from  Colonel  Latta,  of  Webster. 

Another  swttler  on  the  prairie  was  James  Thompson,  who  married  a 
daughter  of  John  Strawn,  and  raised  a  numerous  family  of  enterprising 
business  men.  Densil  Holland  came,  too,  many  years  ago,  as  did  Jesse 
Bane.  The  former  died  about  186(5,  and  his  son  still  lives  upon  the 
family  homestead. 

Another  early  settler  was  Robert  Bird.  He  came  to  Walnut  Grove, 
Tazewell  County,  in  the  fall  of  1827,  and  lived  there  until  1830,  when  he 
bought  a  claim  of  one  of  the  Waughobs,  where  he  lived  until  1849,  when 
he  emigrated  to  Oregon  and  subsequently  died.  His  family  consisted  of 
Robert  Bird,  Jr.,  now  a  citizen  of  Rutland;  John,  William  and  Elijah, 
who  accompanied  their  father  to  Oregon,  and  two  daughters.  Elijah  was 
killed  in  a  fight  with  the  Indians. 

When  the  Bird  family  came  to  Round  Prairie,  in  1830,  the  only  white 
people  Robert  Bird,  Jr.,  then  seventeen  years  old,  remembers  were  those  of 
Col.  John  Strawn,  James  Dever,  Robert  Barnes,  Daniel  Bland,  Joseph  M. 
Burt,  Colonel  Bell,  on  Crow  Creek,  a  family  of  Waughobs,  Allen,  John 
and  William  Gray,  Capt.  Abram  Keedy,  the  Perkins  family,  living  on 
Crow  Creek,  and  James  Kain. 


468  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDJOT    TIME. 

Until  McNeill  started  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the  bottoms,  near 
Columbia,  or  Lacon,  the  farmers  generally  had  to  go  to  Walnut  Grove,  in 
Woodford  County,  for  whatever  work  in  this  line  they  required.  Later, 
Captain  Keedy  opened  a  shop  on  Rjund  Prairie,  in  1832  or  '33. 

The  nearest  saw  mill  for  several  years  was  on  Sandy  Creek,  and  a  corn 
cracker  mill  was  located  on  Big  Spring  Branch,  near  Peoria,  where  the 
farmers  got  their  milling  done,  until  Owens  stalled  a  better  mill  at  the 
mouth  of  Crow  Creek. 

COL.    JOHN    STRAWN. 

The  first  permanent  settler  in  this  part  of  Marshall  County  was  John 
Strawn,  who  in  company  with  a  man  named  Haver,  visited  this  County 
in  1828,  and  removed  here  with  his  family  in  the  fall  of  1829. 

He  was  a  noted  lover  of  fine  horses,  taking  great  pride  in  the  outfit  of 
his  teams,  which  along  the  route  created  a  decided  sensation,  his  wagon 
being  twenty-nine  feet  six  inches  long,  of  the  "regulation"  prairie 
schooner  pattern,  resembling  a  Japanese  war  junk,  and  drawn  by  six 
horses,  the  heaviest  he  could  find.  Along  with  this  were  additional  teams, 
horses,  cattle  and  cows,  the  proprietor  riding  at  the  head  like  some  ancient 
patriarch  leading  his  family  into  the  wilderness.  They  consisted  of  his 
wife,  two  sons,  William  and  Enoch;  Rachel,  afterward  married  to  Jesse 
Bane;  Mary  Ann,  to  James  Thompson ;  Caroline,  to  William  B.  Thomas; 
Emily,  to  Densil  Holland;  Salome,  to  William  Orr;  Susan,  to  Enoch 
Owen,  and  Levicy  to  A.  Pichereau. 

Arrived  here,  a  temporary  shelter,  closed  at  the  sides  and  rear  and 
open  in  front,  was  made,  in  which  they  lived  until  a  substantial  double 
cabin  was  put  up  in  time  for  the  winter.  He  lived  here  many  years, 
bringing  up  his  large  family  and  bestowing  on  each  a  comfortable  farm, 
and  finally  dying  July  4,  1872,  aged  eighty-one. 

Mrs.  Strawn,  consort  of  the  above,  was  in  many  respects  a  remarkable 
woman.  In  those  days  there  were  no  physicians,  and  of  necessity  she 
became  a  mid-wife,  going  long  distances  on  her  errands  of  mercy  and  never 
refusing  to  turn  out  at  the  most  inclement  seasons. 

One  bitter  cold  night  in  the  severe  winter  of  1830-31  there  came  a  call 
from  the  family  of  Daniel  Bland,  a  new  comer,  living  some  three  miles 
across  the  prairie,  whose  wife  desired  her  immediate  attendance.  Mrs.  S. 
could  well  have  refused  to  go.  She  had  a  young  babe  whom  she  could 


EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    HIGHLAND    TOWNSHIP.  469 

not  leave,  and  it  was  risking  its  life  as  well  as  her  own  to  venture  across 
the  prairie. 

There  were  no  roads,  and  besides  the  imminent  danger  of  freezing, 
there  was  positive  risk  of  becoming  engulfed  beneath  the  treacherous 
snow.  Over  all  the  prairie  it  lay  two  and  three  feet  deep,  and  the  hol- 
lows had  drifted  full  until  it  was  one  continuous  level.  A  thaw  which 
softened  the  surface  had  been  followed  by  the  present  heavy  freeze,  and 
horses  and  cattle  walked  easily  upon  the  surface ;  but  beneath  the  crast 
in  the  concealed  hollows  many  streams  had  washed  and  melted  the  snow, 
leaving  places  treacherously  thin,  into  which  the  unsuspecting  traveler 
was  liable  to  be  precipitated,  and  horse  and  rider  go  down  together.  This 
Mrs.  Strawn  well  knew,  but  all  her  womanly  sympathies  were  aroused, 
and  she  told  the  guide — young  Bird,  she  would  accompany  him.  Brief 
time  was  allowed  for  preparation,  and  binding  her  limbs  in  blankets  she 
mounted  her  horse  —  riding  astride  for  safety  and  departed.  The  weather 
was  below  zero  and  the  wind  blowed  fiercely,  but  the  moon  shone  bright, 
and  Strawn,  who  realized  the  full  peril  of  the  journey,  climbed  to  the 
top  of  his  cabin  to  watch  the  travelers  and  go  to  their  succor  if  need 
be.  Slowly  they  proceeded,  selecting  their  route  with  care,  while  the 
watcher  maintained  his  post  until  assured  of  their  safety.  But  what  a 
scene  greeted  their  arrival.  In  the  little  cabin  with  its  single  room  lay 
the  sick  wife  soon  to  be  a  mother,  and  on  a  rude  pallet  cold  in  the  em- 
brace of  death  her  husband.  There  was  no  woman's  ministering  hand  to 
soothe  the  last  moments  of  the  departed,  or  tenderly  wait  on  the  sick  wo- 
man in  her  supreme  agony.  The  cold  was  too  bitter,  the  biting  prairie 
winds  too  fierce  to  oppose  except  in  a  case  of  the  direst  necessity,  but 
Robert  Barnes  with  a  heart  full  of  sympathy,  was  there,  and  jointly  the 
duties  of  caring  for  the  living  and  the  dead  were  performed  by  those  two. 
The  mother  afterward  became  the  wife  of  John  Bird,  and  her  son — born 
on  that  fatal  night — accompanied  her,  and  the  only  father  he  ever  knew, 
to  Oregon,  where  if  living  he  still  resides. 

Another  time  —  to  be  exact,  on  the  night  of  July  15,  1834,  Mr.  James 
Dever  was  sent  to  call  Mrs.  Strawn  to  his  cabin  in  hot  haste.  He 
mounted  his  horse  and  started,  promising  to  return  with  her  in  an  hour 
or  two.  The  distance  was  about  three  miles,  and  he  rode  across  the  prai- 
ries by  the  directest  course  as  he  supposed,  but  after  traveling  several 
miles  in  that  direction,  concluded  he  had  missed  the  way  and  changed  his 
bearings.  He  passed  several  cabins  which  he  thought  strange,  and  ob- 


470  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

served  the  houses  were  much  alike,  but  his  business  was  urgent  and  with- 
out inquiry  he  rode  on  till  daylight,  and  found  that  he  was  half  a  mile 
from  home,  and  had  been  wandering  about  Hound  Prairie  all  night,  during 
which  he  must  have  gone  past  his  own  door  a  half  dozen  times.  In  the 
meantime  little  Mary  Dever  had  opened  her  eyes  in  this  world  and  proved 
to  be  a  pretty  and  healthy  addition  to  his  family,  with  no  thanks  to  his 
tedious  and  faultless  meauderings  or  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Strawn.  But 
his  ill-directed  journey  had  cost  the  excellent  midwife  $2.00,  her  fee  for 
professional  services,  and  saved  him  that  amount,  which  of  itself  in  those 
times  was  a  goodly  sum  of  money. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  her  residence  here  there  were  few  births 
on  Round  Prairie  or  about  .Crow  Creek  at  which  she  did  not  officiate,  and 
her  practice  was  always  attended  with  success. 

NVhile  to  John  Strawn  rightly  belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  first  per- 
manent settler,  he  was  preceded  by  a  family  named  Waughob,  who,  upon 
his  arrival  had  the  foundation  of  a  cabin  laid  on  the  place  where  Samuel 
Ramp  lives.  Strawn  left  his  family  in  the  vicinity  of  Bloomington  for  a 
couple  of  weeks,  while  he  made  a  trip  of  explanation  and  staked  out  his 
claim.  In  the  meantime  a  cousin  named  David  Letz,  knowing  his  plans, 
"jumped  his  claim,"  in  Western  parlance,  and  began  a  cabin  not  far  from 
William  Strawn's  place.  John  Strawn  on  his  return  bought  out  both 
of  these  parties  paying  Letz  $50.00,  and  Waughob  $20.00.  the  latter 
going  some  two  miles  below  and  building  a  cabin  on  the  Jones  farm. 

The  family  of  Waughobs  consisted  of  William  Waughob  and  wife, 
and  his  son  Robert  and  wife,  William,  Jr.,  and  some  daughters,  together 
with  his  son-in-law,  George  Easter,  and  John  Shayner  and  wife.  They 
subsequently  sold  their  cabin  on  the  Jones  farm  to  Robert  Bird,  and  made 
various  claims  elsewhere,  one  of  which  was  on  the  Bland  farm,  and  some 
others.  They  put  up  the  merest  semblance  of  a  house,  watching  their 
opportunity  to  sell  to  the  first  unsophisticated  new  comer  at  a  good  round 
price. 

A  family  that  settled  on  Crow  Creek  in  early  times  was  that  of  Wm. 
McCune,  who  died  three  days  after  his  arrival  here,  leaving  numerous 
descendants.  One  of  the  daughters  married  Harvey  Scott,  another  Wil- 
liam Spangler,  and  a  third,  Jacocb  Hollenback.  His  son  Samuel  is  a  well 
known  minister,  located  at  Canton,  in  this  State. 

Mr.  McCune  and  wife  sleep  in  the  cemetery  at  Lacon. 


EARLY    SCHOOLS    OF    HIGHLAND    TOWNSHIP.  471 

* 

The  farm  owned  by  Harvey  Scott,  was  improved  by  Joseph  Burt. 
Mrs.  B.  died  here  in  1832.  after  which  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Pattons- 
burg,  where  he  became  insane.  There  were  no  asylums  at  that  early  day 
in  the  state,  and  people  had  to  take  care  of  him  as  best  they  could.  A 
small  log  house  was  built  on  Crow  Creek,  wherein  he  was  confined  and 
kept  by  Joseph  Martin  until  he  died. 

John,  William  and  Allen  Gray  were  among  the  early  settlers  near 
Scott's. 

James  Work  lived  on  the  Creek,  at  what  is  still  known  as  Work's 
ford.  He  had  two  sons,  who  became  active  workers  in  the  anti-slavery 
cause  and  "conductors"  upon  the  underground  railroad.  A  well  known 
citizen  of  those  days,  speaking  of  them  many  years  afterward  said  above 
all  others  they  could  be  depended  on  to  assist  fugitives.  Others  were 
true,  provided  the  "  conditions  "  were  right,  but  these  men  could  always  be 
depended  on. 

Colonel  Bell  kept  a  "  tavern  "  for  many  years,  where  travelers  were 
entertained,  and  it  was  also  the  stopping  place  for  the  stages. 

Joseph  Martin  settled  on  Crow  Creek,  six  or  seven  miles  south  of 
Lacon,  in  the  spring  of  1832.  His  children  were  Isaac,  who  died  in  1849; 
Harriet,  James  B.,  Joseph,  Mary  Ann,  Robert,  John  D.,  Susan,  Rhoda 
and  Sarah. 

THE   EARLY    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  town  of  Richland  was  a  cabin,  put  up  by 
Mr.  James  Dever,  in  1833,  for  a  tenant,  but  subsequently  transformed 
into  a  school  house,  the  tenant's  wife,  Mrs.  Gallaher,  teaching  during  the 
summer  and  winter  of  1833.  Some  of  the  children  came  a  distance  of 
three  miles  to  this  primitive  temple  of  learning. 

The  facilities  for  obtaining  an  education  in  this  locality  at  that  time 
were  exceedingly  meagre.  Miss  Jane  M.  Kilgore,  now  Mrs.  H.  B.  Barnes, 
desirous  of  becoming  a  teacher,  was  sent  to  Peoria  to  school,  returning 
in  1836  with  such  knowledge  and  honors  as  the  school  there  could 
give  her.  She  taught  at  Lacon  in  1837,  and  subsequently  in  her  own 
neighborhood,  at  what  was  known  as  the  old  Bird  School  House. 

In  the  winter  of  1835  Archie  Johnson  taught  school  in  the  cabin  on 
Nancy  Dever's  farm. 


472  RECOUDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

• 

The  old  church  near  Martin  Hoover's  residence  was  used  for  school 
purposes  for  many  years,  and  is  yet  so  employed. 

The  first  district  school  in  this  part  of  the  Township  was  in  a  building 
which  stood  where  D.  Rediker  lives,  burned  down  in  1841. 

This  school  house  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1837,  a  Mr.  Bailey  com- 
mencing a  term  of  school  in  September  of  that  year,  but  was  taken  sick 
and  Irwiri  Cummings  finished  the  term,  also  teaching  the  next  summer 
and  winter.  Two  or  three  years  after  the  destruction  of  this  building  by 
fire  a  frame  school  house  was  erected  on  its  site,  in  which  Simon  P.  Ogle 
and  others  taught. 

A  school  house  was  erected  near  Mr.  Samuel  Owen's  place,  in  the 
south-east  corner  of  Section  1 G,  at  an  early  day,  of  the  prevailing  material 
and  style  of  architecture.  The  old  log  school  house,  one-half  mile  south- 
west of  the  present  school  house  site,  was  built  in  1837,  and  John  Brown 
was  the  first  teacher. 

Jesse  Bane  taught  a  school  in  Lancaster's  house  in  the  winter  of  1W3G, 
his  pupils  being  J.  A.  Keedy,  Emery  Foster,  Benjamin  Foster,  Eliza 
Foster,  Elijah  Bird,  J3arah*Dever,  James  Dever,  Mary  Keedy  and  Louisa 
Keedy. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Keedy,  who,  like  his  father,  has  been  intimately  associated 
with  the  educational  interests  of  the  Township  since  its  organization',  has 
in  his  possession  the  first  school  records,  from  which  it  appeal's  that  "the 
Trustees  of  Schools  of  Town  29,  North  Range  2,  west  of  Third  Principal 
Meridian,  in  Putnam  County,  met  according  to  appointment,  at  the  house 
of  Nancy  Dever,  on  the  27th  of  July,  1837.  Present:  R.  Barnes,  William 
Dodds,  T.  Owen,  David  Mitchell  and  James  B.  Work.  Abram  Keedy's 
name  was  presented  as  Treasurer  and  accepted. 

"  It  was  ordered  by  the  Trustees  that  the  Sixteenth  Section,  the  Town- 
ship's school  land,  be  divided  into  four  equal  pails  by  two  lines  crossing 
the  center  at  right  angles,  and  numbered  as  follows:  The  north-east  part, 
No.  1;  north-west,  No.  2;  south-west,  No.  3;  south-east,  No.  4." 

January  8,  1838,  the  Trustees  found  the  Township  school  funds  "safe 
and  correct." 

The  candidates  for  school  certificates  were  examined  by  the  Township 
Trustees.  At  this  meeting  John  Brown,  Rachel  Strawn  and  Granville 
Hedriok  presented  themselves,  were  put  through  a  course  of  questioning, 
and  obtained  the  necessary  documents  authorizing  them  to  teach. 

March  12,  1838,  the  Board  ordered  that  sixty-six  days  should  consti- 


EABLY   SCHOOLS   OF   HIGHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  473 

tute  a  term,  or  quarter,  for  schools,  and  John  Brown  was  allowed  $45.35 
for  teaching  a  term  of  three  months,  commencing  December  (>,  1837; 
Granville  Hedricks  $29.81  for  three  months,  and  Rachel  Strawn  $27.74 
for  the  winter  of  1837-8.  Mary  Work  taught  a  term  of  three  months, 
commencing  June  9,  1838. 

March  29,  1829,  Allen  Wilcox  and  Irwin  Cummings  were  examined 
and  passed  as  teachers. 

Teachers  were  paid  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  pupils.  At  first 
the  rate  was  $2.00  for  each  attendant.  April  5,  1839,  the  rate  was 
increased  to  $2.50.  Under  this  arrangement  Wilcox  received  $83.40  and, 
Cummins  $26.92^  for  their  respective  terms  that  season. 

A.  N.  Page  and  Amos  Cutler  received  teachers'  certificates  June  28, 
1839. 

In  October,  1839,  Elizabeth  T.  Page,  for  teaching  the  school  in  the 
south-eastern  district,  was  allowed  $15.31^. 

In  January,  1840,  an  enumeration  of  the  children  over  four  and  under 
twenty-one  was  taken;  total  in  the  Township,  135. 

In  January,  1843,  the  school  population  had  increased  to  227. 

By  1840  the  school  funds  of  the  Town  had  increased  to  about  $1,000, 
which,  under  the  law,  the  Trustees  were  required  to  loan  to  responsible 
parties.  To  establish  a  rate  of  interest  acceptable  to  the  people  and  as  a 
guide  for  the  board,  a  public  meeting  was  had,  which  was  held  the 
first  Saturday  in  January,  and  voted  to  fix  the  rate  of  interest  on  school 
funds  at  eight  per  cent,  per  annum. 

In  October,  1851  the  school  children  of  the  several  districts  numbered 
342. 

Abram  Keedy  was  Treasurer  and  Clerk  from  1837  to  July  24,  1858, 
over  twenty-one  years. 

PIIELPS    CHAPEL. 

The  first  Methodist  preaching  was  by  Rev.  William  Royal,  at  the 
cabin  of  Mrs.  Bland,  in  1831. 

In  1832  Rev.  Jesse  Hale  was  pastor  of  Pekin  Circuit.  He  preached 
at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  James  Dever,  and  also  at  that  of  Mr.  Timothy  Owens, 
on  Crow  Creek,  near  the  mill  built  by  himself  and  his  brother  Roderic. 

Rev.  Zadoc  Hall  followed  in  1833,  on  the  same  charge.  He  organized 
the  first  society,  consisting  of  Mrs.  Mary  Dever,  Mrs.  Nancy  Bird  (for- 


474  ftEcofcbs  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

merly  Bland),  Mi's.  Nancy  Dever,  John  Dever,  Robert  Barnes,  Julia 
Barnes,  William  Gallaher  and  Emily  Gallaher.  The  first  three  were  re- 
ceiveu  by  letter;  the  others  on  probation.  Robert  Barnes  was  appointed 
class  leader,  whic-  position  he  filled  many  years. 

In  1832  or  '33  Mr.  James  Dever  organized  the  first  Sabbath  school 
within  tne  limits  of  Marshall  County.  It  was  a  union  school,  supplied 
with  union  bool<s.  Uncle  Robert  Bird,  a  member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  only  praying  man  at  the  time,  was  acting  Super- 
intendant. 

Under  Rev.  Hall's  administration  Mr.  Timothy  Owen  and  wife  were 
converted,  and  with  Roderic  Owen  and  wife,  who  were  members  before, 
united  with  the  class  on  Round  Prairie. 

When  Mr.  John  Dever's  double  cabin  was  built,  the  services  were  gen- 
erally held  in  it,  until  the  erection  of  a  school  house  on  the  farm  of  Tim- 
othy Owen,  in  1844.  Here  preaching  was  held  for  several  years,  until 
the  erection  of  Phelps  Chapel,  in  1852—3.  The  subscription  paper  for 
the  church  is  dated  March,  1851. 

The  following  were  the  Trustees:  Timothy  Owen,  John  A.  Keedy, 
James  Thompson,  Martin  Hoover,  Abram  Keedy,  John  Wilson  and  Rob- 
ert Barnes.  Of  these  Timothy  Owen,  J.  A.  Keedy  and  Martin  Hoover 
still  survive. 

Samuel  Henthorn,  Arcene  Pichereau  and  H.  B.  Barnes  were  consti- 
tuted the  building  committee.  The  land — two  acres,  was  donated  by 
Mr.  James  Thompson.  Mr.  Samuel  Wilson,  of  Lacon,  built  the  the 
church. 

The  house  was  used  before  fully  completed.  It  was  finally  finished 
and  dedicated  September  6,  1853.  Rev.  J.  W.  Flowers  preached  the  dedi- 
catory sermon.  At  the  suggestion  of  Rev.  Zadoc  Hall,  the  pastor,  it  was 
called  Phelp's  Chapel,  after  the  distinguished  Asahel  E.  Phelps. 

In  the  fall  of  1856,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  John  Grundy,  a  par- 
sonage was  commenced  on  the  same  lot  as  the  church.  It  was  completed 
and  fully  paid  for  under  the  administration  of  Rev.  A.  C.  Price. 

The  following  Methodist  ministers  have  preached  in  the  Township: 
Win.  Royal  in  1831  ;  Jesse  Hale  in  1832;  Zadoc  Hall  and  John  McHenry 
in  1833;  Joel  Arlington  and  Charles  Parker  in  1834;  Asahel  E.  Phelps 
and  Joel  Arlington  in  1835  ;  Asahel  E.  Phelps  and  John  McMurtry  in 
1836;  William  Cundeff  in  1837;  Z.  Hall  in  1838;  Daniel  Blackwell  in 
1839;  David  Dickenson  in  1840  ;  C.  Atkinson  and  J.  B.  Houts  in  1841 ; 


A  FORT  FOR   LEFT -HANDED  MEN.  475 

J.  C.  Pinckard  in  1842;  John  Grady  in  1843;  J.  F.  Devore  in  1844; 
Francis  Smith  in  1845 ;  C.  Babcock  and  T.  F.  Royal  in  1846;  W.  C.  Gum- 
ming in  1847-8,  assisted  by  A.  D.  Field  in  1848;  B.  C.  Swartz  in  1849; 
L.  R.  Ellis  in  1850-51;  Zadoc  Hall  in  1852-53;  W.  C.  Camming  in  1854; 
John  Grundy  in  1855-6  ;  A.  C.  Price  in  1857-8;  W.  A.  Presson  and  H.  M. 
Cornell  in  1859;  B.  P.  Wheat  in  I860;  W.  J.  Stubbles  in  1861;  G.  M. 
Irwin  in  1862,  and  six  months  of  1863;  J.  W.  Haney  balance  of  1863  and 
1864;  F.  R.  Burgess  in  1865-6;  A.  K.  Tullis  in  1867-8-9;  G.  B.  Sne.la- 
kerin  1870-1-2;  S.  P.  Alford  in  1873-4;  W.  P.  Graves  in  1875;  J.  W. 
Denning  in  1876-7;  A.  J.  Jones  in  1878;  and  G.  W.  Burns  in  1879- 
the  present  pastor  of  Phelp's  Chapel. 

THE    BARNES    AND    DEVER    FORT. 

In  May,  1832,  rumors  came  of  dreadful  massacres  by  the  savages, 
supplemented  by  the  startling  report  that  they  were  marching  upon  the 
defenseless  residents  here.  Colonel  Strawn,  by  virtue  of  his  commission, 
called  all  able-bodied  men  to  arms,  and  in  -obedience  to  the  summons  they 
promptly  shouldered  their  muskets  and  started  for  the  seat  of  war,  leaving 
the  women  and  children  withoiit  protectors.  Mrs.  Dever,  her  sister-in-law 
Mrs.  Coutlett,  a  hired  boy  and  two  families  of  little  children  constituted 
the  population,  and  they  were  wholly  defenceless,  no  defence  having 
been  prepared. 

The  evening  after  the  departure  of  the  men  the  women  held  a  council 
of  war  to  devise  measures  for  self-protection.  After  much  deliberation 
they  decided  upon  a  stratagem  to  mislead  the  Indians,  should  they  come, 
by  the  idea  that  the  people  had  fled.  Enough  of  the  bedding  and  cooking 
xitensils  for  immediate  use  were  hoisted  up  stairs  by  means  of  a  ladder 
and  placed  upon  the  floor ;  some  provisions  were  also  taken  up,  and  the 
trembling  ladies  then  scattered  the  remaining  furniture  in  wild  confusion 
over  the  floor  below,  and  the  door-yard,  to  give  the  scene  the  appearance 
of  a  hasty  flight.  The  children  were  hustled  above,  the  ladder  pulled 
up,  and  then  they  huddled  down  in  fear  and  trembling  to  await  results. 

Not  far  off  lived  the  families  of  Mr.  Phillips  and  Mr.  Burt.  They  had 
heard  of  the  reported  Indian  raids  in  the  morning,  and  concluded  it  would 
be  safer  to  go  to  Mr.  Devers',  where  they  would  have  the  consolation  of 
each  other's  company,  and  collectively  make  a  better  fight  than  singly. 
They  met  at  the  gate  of  the  Dever  cabin,  where  the  confusion  and  appar- 


47  G  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

ent  massacre  of  tlie  entire  family  caused  the  women  to  scream  in  terror, 
while  those  in  the  loft,  believing  the  racket  to  be  caused  by  Indians,  gave 
vent  to  their  fears  in  loud  and  agonizing  shrieks. 

For  a  short  time  such  echoes  were  awakened  as  that  region  had  never 
heard  before,  but  the  women  within  looking  out  through  a  crack  and 
perceiving  no  Indians,  discovering  instead  their  neighbors,  at  once  divined 
the  true  state  of  affairs  and  hastened  to  admit  them. 

Soon  after  they  had  another  scare.  This  time  it  came  from  the  direc- 
tion from  whence  they  expected  the  savages.  The  dogs  at  first  barked 
loudly  and  then  ceased,  and  all  was  still.  From  this  it  was  evident  to 
the  excited  garrison  that  their  faithful  canine  sentinels  had  met  the  Indi- 
ans and  been  tomahawked  or  shot  with  arrows.  The  inmates  of  the  loft 
now  gave  up  in  despair,  fully  believing  their  time  had  come.  The  savages 
would  in  a  moment  appeal1,  force  their  way  up  the  ladder  (which  they  had 
forgotten  to  remove  after  the  previous  alarm),  and  then  the  horrors  would 
begin.  But  happily  the  approaching  party  were  the  husbands  of  the 
affiriglited  ladies,  who,  on  reaching  the  house  and  discovering  the  evidences 
of  savage  visitation,  were  greatly  alarmed  themselves.  They  had  learned 
that  most  of  the  rumored  murders  of  settlers  by  Indians  were  false,  espec- 
ially as  to  localities  near  by,  but  might  not  some  of  the  accursed  red 
miscreants  have  slyly  crept  in  among  their  defenceless  wives  and  little 
ones  in  their  absence  ?  Rushing  into  the  house  the  ladder  was  discovered, 
and  the  closed  hole  above  explained  the  mystery,  and  with  a  jolly  good 
shout  and  a  general  laugh,  the  prisoners  surrendered  and  promptly  and 
gladly  descended  and  got  supper,  which  was  heartily  enjoyed  by  all. 

The  next  day  all  hands  fell  to  work,  and  in  a  brief  time  a  log  stockade 
was  built  around  Mr.  Dever's  cabin,  which  enabled  the  families  in  a 
measure  to  bid  defiance  to  the  enemy. 

The  Dever  fort  was  designed  by  Robert  Bird,  Si1.,  the  only  man  of  the 
settlement  who  had  ever  seen  a  block  house  or  stockade.  Being  left- 
handed  he  constructed  the  bastions  for  a  left-handed  man,  but  there  being 
no  Benjaminites  in  the  garrison,  this  was  a  serious  fault.  As  the  enemy 
never  came,  however,  the  error  caused  no  inconvenience.  The  stockade 
enclosed  about  an  acre  of  ground. 

The  people  at  night --men,  women  and  children  —  all  occupied  the 
cabin  within  the  slab  and  picket  enclosure,  but  each  family  had  some  little 
shed  outside  where  separate  cooking  and  eating  conveniences  were  pro- 
vided. Some  of  the  men  were  absent  during  the  day  at  work,  while  the 


tHE    RECORD    OF    A   WELL -SPENT    LIFE.  479 

greater  number  were  with  the  Rangers  engaged  in  active  duty.  The  fam- 
ilies who  forted  were  those  of  Thomas  H.  Phillips,  T.  J.  Burt,  Robert  Bird, 
Nathan  Owen,  Howell  Doddy,  William  Davis,  Mr.  Boyleston,  and  Mrs. 
Bland. 

Colonel  Strawn  was  asked  to  join  those  in  the  fort,  but  with  charac- 
teristic independence,  refused,  ridiculing  the  idea  and  declaring  that  if  the 
Indians  should  come  he  and  his  wife  and  children  would  be  safe  enough 
in  a  hog  pen. 

The  old  fort  was  afterward  moved  out  upon  the  farm  of  Mr.  Spangler 
and  occupied  as  a  residence  for  many  years,  and  still  remains  standing. 

In  1831  Robert  Barnes,  as  stated,  sold  his  interest  in  the  Dever 
cabin  and  took  up  a  claim  on  what  is  now  the  William  Ramsay  place. 
He  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  when  the  war  broke  out  was 
chosen  Captain  of  a  company  of  Rangers,  organized  among  the  settlers  for 
frontier  service. 

In  1835  Mr.  Barnes  sold  his  homestead  to  John  Gray  for  $900,  and 
purchased  of  a  Mr.  Lewis  the  place  south  of  Crow  Creek  on  which  he  ever 
after  lived,  for  $600.  Mr.  Lewis  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Magnolia, 
where  there  was  already  established  a  large  Society  of  Friends,  of  which 
he  became  an  influential  member,  noted  for  his  anti-slavery  opinions. 

The  heavy  grove  of  timber  now  seen  west  of  the  house,  was  then  a 
smooth  prairie  with  a  few  hazel  brush  in  scattered  bunches.  His  nearest 
neighbor  was  Henry  D.  Palmer,  a  noted  Campbellite  preacher,  while  in 
the  vicinity  of  Washburn  dwelt  a  man  named  Phillips.  He  filled  many 
offices  of  trust  and  profit  acceptably,  saw  his  children  grow  up  to  man- 
hood and  most  of  them  settle  about  him,  and  was  finally  gathered  to  his 
fathers,  dying  of  cancer  in  the  face  in  1879. 

JOHN  WIER. 

Among  those  identified  with  the  early  history  and  development  of 
Marshall  County  there  is  none  more  prominent,  none  more  deserving  of 
special  mention  than  John  Wier.  Born  in  the  State  of  Maine  May  18, 
1797,  of  Scotch -Yankee  ancestry,  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  (with 
the  exception  of  one  year's  service  during  the  war  of  1812),  were  spent  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  birth,  his  life  similar  in  all  respects  to  that  of  all  boys 
in  a  new  country. 

In  1817,  enthused  by  the  glowing  accounts  of  the  marvelous  beauty 


480  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEST  TIME.     - 

and  fertility  of  the  great  West,  he  cast  his  fortune  with  two  others,  and 
embarking  together  with  a  rickety  one-horse  wagon,  they  started  for  the 
land  of  promise.  Upon  reaching  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  young 
Wier  accepted  employment  in  a  stone  quarry,  remaining  there  about 
eighteen  months,  and  then  went  to  Western  Virginia,  locating  near  Wheel- 
ing, where  he  remained  fourteen  years.  In  1825  he  married  Catherine 
Byrne,  who  proved  herself  a  worthy  helpmate  and  counselor  throughout 
all  the  long  years  of  their  wedded  life.  Three  children  were  born  to  them 
while  here, —  Henry,  Benjamin  (died  when  nine  years  old),  and  an  infant 
that  lived  but  a  few  days. 

An  incident  which  occurred  doling  Mr.  Wier's  residence  here  may 
in  some  degree  account  for  his  hatred  of  slavery  and  his  hearty  support  of 
the  Republican  party  in  its  struggle  with  that  "sum  of  all  villanies."  A 
neighbor  owned  a  likely  slave  with  whom  Wier  often  labored  in  the 
fields  and  who  one  night  walked  off  with  the  north  star  for  his  guide,  for- 
getting to  return.  His  owner  attributed  his  escapade  to  the  teachings  of 
Mr.  Wier,  and  commenced  suit  for  recovery  of  the  negroe's  value,  and 
although  Wier  persistently  declared  his  entire  innocence  of  complicity  or 
knowledge  of  the  slave's  intentions  the  jury  decided  against  him,  and  he 
surrendered  every  dollar  he  possessed — the  hard-earned  accumulations  of 
years,  in  payment. 

After  fourteen  years  residence  in  this  locality,  with  two  thousand  dol- 
lars as  the  result  of  his  accumulations,  he  embarked  on  a  steamer  with  his 
family  and  household  goods,  journeyed  down  the  Ohio  River  to  Cairo, 
and  thence  up  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers  to  Pekin,  where  he 
landed  in  1832.  Remaining  there  one  day,  he  started  out  on  an  exploring 
tour,  going  as  far  north  as  the  Vermillion,  and  returning,  passed  the  night 
with  Colonel  Strawn,  who  had  settled  here  two  years  before.  Hearing  of 
a  claim  in  the  vicinity  for  sale,  he  next  morning  went  to  the  place,  after- 
ward occupied  by  him  until  his  death,  and  in  a  few  moments  became  the 
purchaser  of  240  acres,  on  which  was  a  cabin  but  no  other  improvements, 
for  $500.  He  returned  to  Pekin,  proceeded  at  once  to  Springfield,  and 
entered  an  additional  claim  of  240  acres,  and  soon  after  a  keel r>oat 
landed  himself,  his  family  and  effects  at  Columbia,  now  Lacon,  and  he 
was  shortly  established  in  his  new  home,  with  the  families  of  Colonel 
Strawn,  Hall,  Babb,  Harris,  Cassell,  Forbes  and  Barnes  as  neighbors. 

The  Black  Hawk  war  was  raging  at  this  time,  and  within  ten  days 
after  his  arrival  he  was  enrolled  in  the  militia  and  chosen  Captain,  but 


JOHN  WIER — "THE  POOR  MAN'S  FRIEND."  481 

modestly  waived  that  honor  and  accepted  a  Lieutenancy.  But  with  little 
faith  in  the  flying  rumors  of  Indian  outrages,  and  his  mind  occupied  with 
projects  for  the  improvement  of  his  farm,  Mr.  Wier  made  little  mark  as  a 
soldier.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he  stood  guard  with  unloaded  gun,  and 
on  the  march  gave  more  care  to  his  horse  than  to  his  arms. 

The  families  of  most  of  the  settlers  were  "forted  up"  during  the 
absence  of  the  men  folks  in  the  army,  but  those  of  Strawn,  Wier,  Babb 
and  Cassell  remained  outside  the  stockade,  the  latter  two  leaving  their 
cabins  and  taking  up  their  residence  with  Mrs.  Wier  until  the  supposed 
danger  was  over. 

After  the  annihilation  of  Black  Hawk's  band  and  the  disbandment  of 
the  volunteers  Mr.  Wier  set  vigorously  to  work  upon  the  improvement 
of  his  farm.  Arriving  here  on  the  10th  of  May,  by  the  10th  of  August 
following  he  had  eighty  acres  fenced  and  forty  acres  broken,  his  only  help 
being  one  man  and  a  team,  and  a  portion  of  his  time  being  spent  in  the 
volunteer  service,  as  stated.  Early  dawn  found  him  at  work,  and  dewy 
eve  fell  upon  his  stalwart  form  engaged  with  undiminished  zeal  in  the 
labors  of  the  field. 

The  third  fall  after  his  arrival  he  cultivated  eighty  acres  of  wheat 
alone.  In  his  subsequent  extensive  farming  operations  Mr.  Wier  made 
no  specialty,  but  raised  all  kinds  of  grain,  hogs,  cattle,  horses  and  mules. 
Game  was  abundant,  but  to  him  time  was  too  valuable  to  be  spent  in 
hunting,  and  he  was  singularly  ignorant  of  the  use  of  fire-arms  for  those 
times. 

In  1844  his  second  and  best  loved  child,  Benjamin,  was  accidentally 
killed  by  being  caught  in  a  threshing  machine  while  playing  in  the  barn. 
It  was  a  severe  blow,  as  the  boy  had  given  promise  of  unusual  ability,  and 
inherited  many  of  his  father's  traits. 

In  1836  Mr.  Wier  made  his  second  purchase  of  land,  a  tract  on  the 
Sandy,  and  from  this  time  until  his  death,  made  frequent  and  extensive 
purchases,  one  of  the  last  being  the  "Lacon  Farm"  of  210  acres,  from 
Jabez  Fisher,  for  $10,000. 

Mr.  Wier  was  a  giant  in  stature,  six  feet  two  inches  high,  compactly 
built,  with  sinews  strengthened  by  toil  and  a  frame  unimpaired  by  disease. 
In  character  he  was  honest,  upright,  hospitable  and  charitable  to  a  fault. 
In  those  early  times  when  every  house  was  a  place  of  entertainment  few 
nights  passed  without  the  presence  of  strangers  beneath  his  roof,  yet  none 
were  turned  away,  and  no  pay  would  be  received.  He  was  temperate  in 


482  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

all  things,  never  indulged  in  liquor  or  tobacco,  and  avoided  the  luxuries 
of  high  living.  Without  education  or  aid  other  than  industry,  frugality 
and  temperance,  he  rose  from  poverty  to  the  possession  of  a  fortune  esti- 
mated at  not  less  than  $50,000,  and  upon  his  death  was  sincerely 
mourned  by  all.  His  tombstone  bears  the  inscription,  "The  poor  man's 
friend." 

THE   MURDER    OF    M?NEIL. 

William  McNeil  was  an  old  man  whose  years  had  almost  reached  the 
limit  assigned  by  the  law-giver  of  Israel.  He  emigrated  from  Ohio  in 
1829  or  1830,  journeying  with  a  Mr.  Johnson,  who  settled  at  Washington. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  a  blacksmith,  and  the  father-in-law  of  James  Hall,  the 
latter  purchasing  a  set  of  tools  and  forge  from  him  and  set  up  a  shop  near 
his  residence,  where  McNeil  worked  for  several  years. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  troubles  he  was  elected  lieutenant  of  the 
company  of  Rangers  raised  for  the  protection  of  the  infant  settlement, 
and  possessed  all  the  qualities  constituting  a  good  soldier.  Some  time 
after  he  married  a  daughter  of  Edward  Harris,  and  became  possessor  of 
eighty  acres  of  land  five  miles  north-east  of  Lacon,  where  he  built  a  cabin 
and  reared  a  numerous  family. 

He  was  industrious  and  active,  a  kind  neighbor  with  but  a  single  fault, 
a  love  for  spirituous  liquors,  indulged  in  at  long  intervals.  In  the  course 
of  time  his  wife  died,  and  after  a  season  of  widowhood  he  led  to  the 
altar  a  Mrs.  Sarah  Myers,  a  woman  who  had  been  twice  wedded  before. 
She  was  a  person  of  strong  will  and  sharp  temper,  and  had  several  children 
by  a  former  husband,  and  the  bringing  of  '  the  two  families  together 
led  to  dissensions  and  bitter  quarrels.  Two  children  were  born  to  them, 
one  of  which  died  when  quite  young;  the  other,  at  the  time  of  McNeil's 
death,  was  twelve  years  old.  t  An  Irish  lad  of  similar  age  was  an  inmate 
of  the  family,  and  usually  slept  with  McNeil  below,  while  his  son  occu- 
pied a  bed  in  the  attic. 

Mrs.  McNeil  had  a  daughter  named  Melissa,  a  rather  comely  girl  who 
had  learned  the  millinery  and  dress-making  business,  and  desired  her 
mother  to  join  her  in  setting  up  a  shop  in  Lacon.  The  old  lady  proposed 
to  divide  the  property,  take  her  share  and  follow  her  daughter,  and  leave 
her  husband  on  'the  farm  to  shift  for  himself.  This  was  strenuously 
opposed  and  led  to  long  and  bitter  disputes. 


THE    FIRST    INTERMENT    IN    THE    COUNTY.  483 

The  old  man  seemed  much  cast  down  and  dispirited,  and  frequently 
shed  tears  when  conversing  with  friends.  While  affairs  were  in  this  con- 
dition he  was  foully  mufVlered, —  shot  in  his  sleep,  two  balls  entering  his 
face,  making  a  ghastly  wound  and  causing  instant  death.  The  bed 
wheron  he  lay  occupied  one  corner  of  the  poorly  furnished  room,  and 
through  a  window  three  feet  distant  the  murderer  fired  the  fatal  shot. 

O 

It  was  not  evident  at  the  time,  but  afterward  shown  that  the  weapon 
used  was  an  old  musket  McNeil  carried  when  a  soldier,  and  being  desti- 
tute of  a  lock  was  touched  off  with  a  coal  of  fire.  Death  must  have  came 
instantaneously.  The  countenance  wore  the  peaceful  expression  of  pain- 
less dissolution,  the  gray  locks  were  matted  with  blood,  and  the  crimson 
current  had  ran  through  the  bedding  to  the  floor  and  gathered  itself  into 
a  pool. 

Suspicion  finally  settled  upon  Mrs.  McNeil  and  she  was  placed  under 
arrest.  The  Irish  boy  who  lived  with  the  family  and  usually  shared  the 
old  man's  bed,  was  ordered  that  night  by  Mrs.  McNeil  to  sleep  in  the 
chamber  above.  During  the  night  he  heard  a  loud  noise,  and  covering 
his  bead  did  not  waken  again  until  morning,  when  he  was  called  by  the 
old  lady  and  told  what  had  transpired.  The  weapon  with  which  the 
crime  was  committed  could  not  be  found,  but  a  singular  dream  of  John 
Jason,  a  near  neighbor,  pointed  to  its  concealment  and  it  was  found  hidden 
between  the  outer  wall  of  the  building  and  the  plastering. 

Mrs.  McNeil  was  placed  on  trial  and  ably  defended  by  Burns,  Bangs 
and  Winslow,  the  jury  bringing  in  a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty." 

THE  FIRST  FUNERAL  IN  MARSHALL  COUNTY. 

It  was  the  winter  of  the  great  snow.  Hill  and  valley  were  covered 
with  the  winding  sheet  of  nature's  decay.  The  world  was  in  a  shroud  of 
immaculate  purity.  Hushed  was  the  song  of  birds,  the  hum  of  bees,  the 
low  of  cattle.  Underneath  the  mantle  of  white,  the  germs  of  flowers,  the 
tiny  ministers  of  God,  were  frozen  past  the  resurrecting  powers  of  sunny 
skies  and  balmy  atmospheres. 

The  settlers  sat  within  their  cabins,  and  listened  to  the  whistling,  the 
sobbing  and  the  moaning  or  the  wind  through  the  "puncheon  "  doors,  and 
waited  drearily  for  the  cessation  of  the  storm,  the  opening  of  the  Heavens 
and  the  return  of  warmer  days  and  blither  hours. 

Over  the  little  settlement  the  Death  Angel  had  been  hovering  for 


484  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

some  time,  and  as  the  storm  grew  more  fierce  and  the  winds  howled  more 
dismally,  the  settlers  often  thought  of  him  who  was  lying  in  the  grasp  of  the 
King  of  Terrors.  They  knew  that  ere  the  skies*should  smile  again  they 
would  miss  from  among  their  band  a  familiar  face,  the  face  of  one  who 
with  them,  had  journeyed  from  afar  into  the  new  country. 

In  the  solitude  of  that  trackless  region  bathed  in  the  Alpine  cover- 
ing of  the  winter's  snow,  Daniel  Bland  was  passing  into  the  life  beyond. 
Attended  by  the  loving  wife  who  had  braved  the  dangers  of  the  long 
pilgrimage  to  the  new  country,  surrounded  by  the  sobbing  children  so 
soon  to  be  bereft  of  a  father's  care  and  counsel,  the  strong  heart  of  the 
brave  pioneer  ceased  to  beat — Daniel  Bland  had  found  the  great  snow  a 
winding  sheet  for  himself  as  well  as  for  his  mother  earth.  He  had 
finished  the  life  struggle,  and  ere  the  weeping  loved  ones  beside  his  couch 
could  realize  the  fact,  his  soul  was  standing  before  the  Great  Judge,  to 
be  dealt  with  as  the  mercy  of  the  Father  should  direct. 

It  is  a  solemn  thing  in  a  crowded  city  to  see  a  fellow  being  carried  to 
his  last  home;  it  was  indescribably  so  to  the  little  community  shut  out 
from  all  the  world  by  deep  snows  and  pathless  wastes. 

When  the  news  of  his  death  spread  abroad,  the  settlers  wended  their 
way  to  the  house  of  death  to  perform  the  last  sad  rites;  and  now  a  diffi- 
culty arose.  There  was  not  sufficient  lumber  in  the  settlement  with  which 
to  construct  a  coffin.  The  nearest  saw  mill  was  forty  miles  distant,  and 
it  was  death  to  make  the  journey.  Even  the  doors  of  houses  and  the 
window  frames  were  made  of  '•puncheons,"  or  planks  riven  from  the 
black  walnut,  ash  or  bass-wood  trees.  In  this  predicament  a  tree  was  cut 
down  in  the  forest,  split  into  slabs,  and  a  rough  box  fastened  with  wooden 
pins  was  made  to  answer  the  part  of  a  coffin,  which,  when  completed, 
was  hauled  by  "old  George,"  Colonel  Strawn's  well  known  horse,  through 
the  snow  to  where  the  dead  man  lay,  near  what  is  now  Phelps'  Chapel. 

"  Few  and  short  were  the  prayers  that  were  said," 

and  no  sermon  was  preached  beside  that  lonely  grave,  but  the  body  was 
laid  silently  away  under  the  snow  to  await  the  angel's  summons  on  the 
Resurrection  morn.  Through  sickness  and  sufferings  and  hardships 
Daniel  Bland  had  gone  to  his  Redeemer's  rest.  The  forests  Avhich  had 
echoed  the  sturdy  ring  of  his  axe  should  hear  the  sound  no  more;  the 
paths  he  once  had  trod  would  still  be  walked  upon  by  others,  but  by  him, 
nevermore ! 


AN    OLD-TIME    BURIAL    GROUND.  485 

• 

No  memorial  stone  marks  this  the  first  grave  in  Marshall  County,  and 
all  traces  of  the  little  mound  have  long  since  been  obliterated  by  the 
onward  march  of  improvement,  but  yet,  on  that  last  day,  when  the  sea 
and  the  earth  shall  give  up  their  dead,  the  soul  of  the  pioneer,  Daniel 
Bland,  will  lead  into  the  world  beyond  the  regiment  of  Marshall  County's 
dead. 

RAPID    GROWTH    OF    TIMBER. 

Tliose  unacquainted  with  the  growth  of  timber  might  doubt  that  any 
perceptible  growth  would  be  made  in  so  short  a  time  as  that  embraced 
within  the  memoiy  of  the  old  settlers ;  yet  they  all  bear  testimony  to  r4r 
markable  changes  in  the  timber  within  a  comparatively  brief  period.  The 
first  settlers  around  the  timbered  sections  of  Richland  Township  could  see 
over  the  tops  of  the  undergrowth  around  the  borders  of  the  woods,  then 
confined  to  the  brows  of  the  hills  and  ravines.  Then,  deer  and  cattle 
could  be  seen  browsing  in  the  thickets  where  are  now  trees  from  thirty  to 
seventy-five  feet  in  height.  Scrubby  oak  openings  have  given  way  to 
bodies  of  tall  timber,  hazle  brush  thickets  to  groves  of  thrifty  young  wal- 
nut and  hickory  trees,  and  the  boundaries  of  timber  in  places  have  ex- 
tended far  into  what  were  then  marshy  prairies,  covered  with  weeds,  grass 
and  clumps  of  willows.  The  improvement  of  the  prairies  put  a  stop  to 
the  yearly  destruction  of  the  woods  by  fire,  young  trees  began  to  grow, 
and  rapidly  spread  and  matured  into  fine  new  forests;  and  now  the  gen- 
eral outlines  of  the  timbered  localities  bear  no  resemblance  to  those  of 
forty  or  even  twenty-five  years  ago. 

Within  the  memory  of  Mr.  Barnes,  and  probably  many  other  of  the 
pioneer  settlers,  tho  splendid  oaks  and  otoer  trees  which  constitute  the 
grove  south  of  Lacon  were  small  bushes,  many  of  them,  in  fact,  just  peep- 
ing through  the  surface. 

What  are  now  large  shade  trees  of  walnut  and  cottonwood  were  set 
out  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes  in  1840.  From  one  of  these,  in  1801  twelve 
joists,  2x6  inches,  were  split.  Some  of  these  trees  are  now  two  feet  in 
diameter,  and  many  apple  tress  set  out  even  later  are  from  three  to  three 
and  a  half  feet  in  circumference. 


NATHAN    OWEN'S    GRAVE    YARD. 


On  a  slight  elevation  in  the  valley  west  of  Mi-.  Hoover's  dwelling  is 
"Nathan  Owen's  Grave  Yard."     It  lies  on  the  west  line  of  Richland 


486  KECOKDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Township.  In  the  fall  of  1834,  Miss  Mary  Conley,  aged  eighteen  years, 
a  daughter  of  Preston  Conley,  was  interred  here,  and  two  .children  of  Mr. 
Owen,  who  donated  the  ground  to  the  public  for  burial  purposes,  are  also 
buried  here.  It  has  since  become  the  general  repository  of  the  dead  for 
the  neighborhood. 


INCIDENTS. 

John  Strawn  was  very  practical  in  his  business  relations  and  assumed 
no  risks.  It  is  told  of  him  that  a  merchant  of  Lacon  once  came  out  to 
obtain  his  signature  to  a  note,  and  he  hit  upon  a  novel  plan  to  avoid  it. 
falling  down  in  a  fit  and  simulating  insanity.  As  soon  as  the  non-plussed 
merchant  had  got  out  of  sight  Strawn 's  reason  returned,  and  he  laughed 
immoderately  at  the  satisfactory  results,  to  himself,  of  his  stratagem. 
When  asked  by  one  of  his  family  what  ailed  him,  lie  exploded  with  mirth 
as  he  replied:  "  I  did  n't  claw  the  ah-  and  howl  and  beller  for  nothing; 
I  was  working  to  save  five  hundred  dollars ! " 

The  Colonel  was  sharp  at  a  bargain,  and  not  a  few  anecdotes  are  told 
of  his  success  in  this  particular.  Once  he  hired  William  Orr  to  chop 
down  trees  at  ten  cents  each,  Strawn  to  select  the  trees  to  be  felled.  The 
shrewd  old  fellow  went  through  the  woods  and  marked  the  biggest  he 
could  find.  Orr  had  his  eye  longingly  on  one  of  Strawn's  daughters, 
therefore  to  have  backed  out  of  the  job  was  not  to  be  thought  of;  it  was 
"  no  chop,  no  girl,"  and  he  manfully  chopped  away. 

In  1831  John  Strawn  and  three  others  went  hunting  hogs  across  Crow 
Creek,  and  while  absent  the  waters  rose  rapidly,  making  it  impossible  to 
cross.  Strawn  swam  his  horse  over,  but  the  men  were  obliged  to  remain 
all  night  without  fire  or  provisions.  The  next  morning  the  citizens  came 
and  threw  some  provisions  over,  but  they  were  forced  to  remain  several 
days  before  rescued. 

The  Strawn's  were  "all  business,"  and  drove  sharp  trades  with  whom- 
ever they  dealt.  John  had  an  elder  brother  named  Jacob,  living  about 
Jacksonville,  who  was  wealthy,  and  when  lands  came  into  market  here 
John  took  several  fine  horses  along  on  his  way  to  Springfield,  assured  he 
could  find  a  customer  for  them  in  the  person  of  his  brother.  In  the  course 
of  the  evening's  conversation  the  latter  found  out  about  how  much  John 


HOW    COL.    STRAWN    GOT    EVEN    WITH    HIS    BROTHER.  487 

was  "  short,"  and  made  that  the  value  of  the  horses,  nor  would  he  give 
any  more.  It  vexed  John  not  a  little,  for  they  were  really  fine  horses 
and  worth  more  money,  but  as  he  wanted  to  secure  some  land  and  must 
have  the  additional  funds  to  do  so,  he  accepted  the  amount  with  the  best 
grace  he  could  and  departed. 

It  happened  the  season  was  cold  and  backward,  and  very  little  good 
corn  was  raised,  though  John  had  forty  acres  in  good  condition  and  a  hun- 
dred or  more  that  was  not.  Jacob  was  a  large  stock  dealer,  and  was  get- 
ting up  a  herd  specially  for  the  Galena  market,  and  as  crops  in  his  vicinity 
were  poor  he  wrote  to  his  brother  asking  how  the  yield  was  with  him. 
John  replied,  saying  he  had  a  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  the  best  possible 
quality,  and  wanted  him  to  come  and  inspect  it  in  person,  so  Jacob  sad- 
dled his  horse  and  made  his  appearance.  The  corn  stood  in  a  body,  and 
John,  while  pretending  to  show  him  the  entire  field  adroitly  managed  to 
bring  him  back  to  the  same  place  at  each  turn  they  made,  so  that  he  sup- 
posed that  it  was  of  one  uniform  good  quality.  A  purchase  was 
made  at  a  high  figure,  and  Jacob  sent  up  his  herd  in  charge  of  a  trusty 
assistant.  It  did  not  take  long  to  go  through  the  forty  acres  of  good  corn 
and  then  they  began  to  fall  off  and  grow  poor.  The  attendant  wrote  his 
employer  the  cattle  were  doing  poorly,  who  came  up  and  at  once  saw  he 
had  been  taken  in,  but  when  he  upbraided  John  on  the  subject,  the  latter 
admitted  it  and  added,  "It's  all  right,  brother;  it's  all  right.  We're  even 
now,  and  after  this  we'll  trade  fair." 

Strawn  never  believed  in  banks  nor  patronized  them,  and  this  known 
trait  in  his  character  exposed  him  to  many  risks  from  desperate  men,  who 
believed  he  kept  large  sums  of  money  on  the  premises.  One  dark  and 
stormy  night  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  was  awakened  by  calls 
outside,  and  going  to  the  windpw,  a  request  was  made  to  let  some  travel- 
ers come  in  for  shelter.  He  directed  them  to  an  outhouse,  but  while 
parleying  the  door  of  his  sleeping  apartment  opened  and  in  stalked  a 
stranger,  pistol  in  hand,  followed  by  another.  Strawn  was  greatly  fright- 
ened, and  made  no  attempt  at  resistance  while  the  robbers  tied  his  hands 
behind  his  back.  They  would  have  served -Mrs.  S.  in  the  same  way, 
but  she  promised  to  lie  still.  They  next  conducted  Strawn  down 'stairs, 
relieved  him  of  about  $300,  and  helped  themselves  freely  to  eatables. 
Previous  to  leaving  they  charged  him  to  never  to  divulge  their  visit  under 
penalty  of  being  murdered  and  having  his  property  burned  down.  Strawn 


488  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

• 

promised  to  obey  and  did  so,  and  the  occurrence  did  not  leak  out  until 
many  months  afterward.  It  has  since  transpired  who  the  robbers  were, 
but  two  of  them  had  left  the  country  and  the  evidence  was  too"insufficient 
to  convict  the  third. 

The  abundance  of  game  here  in  early  times  is  well  attested.  William 
Strawn  reports  killing  four  deer  in  one  day,  and  he  killed  thirty-six  prai- 
rie chickens  at  thirty-four  consecutive  shots,  killing  four  chickens  at  two 
shots. 

Enoch  Strawn  when  a  lad  was  hunting  with  his  father,  when  the  lat- 
ter shot  a  deer,  the  bullet  grazing  his  back  and  only  stunning  him,  but 
which  nevertheless  dropped  as  though  dead.  Enoch  was  on  horseback 
and  quickly  rode  to  its  side,  when  seeing  the  animal  was  about  to  rise, 
pluckily  sprung  upon  its  back,  and  clasping  his  arms  round  its  neck  hung 
on  for  dear  life.  The  animal  rose  to  its  feet,  and  then  began  a  contest  for 
mastery  not  often  seen.  The  boy  was  in  real  peril,  for  the  deer's  sharp 
hoofs  would  cut  like  knives,  and  the  thrust  of  its  antlers  is  seldom  cured. 
The  struggles  were  such  that  Strawn  could  not  shoot  without  endanger- 
ing his  son,  nor  could  the  boy  loosen  his  grasp  to  get  a  knife,  but  after  a 
few  desperate  bounds  the  dogs  pullea'it  down,  and  a  shot  at  short  range 
finished  it.  In  the  winter  of  1830-31  he  caught  twenty-six  wolves  in 
traps. 

Lynxes  and  wildcats  were  numerous  and  very  destructive  1o  barn- 
yard fowls,  pigs  and  lambs.  Once  a  lynx  was  treed  in  the  timber  near 
the  present  Strawn  graveyard.  Eight  bullets  were  fired  into  the  tough 
animal  before  it  fell,  and  then,  in  its  dying  struggles  the  ferocious  and 
powerful  feline  fearfully  clawed  several  of  the  dogs. 

A  gray  wolf  captured  by  them  measured  seven  feet  from  the  nose  to 
the  end  of  the  tail.  A  lynx  once  killed  a  half-grown  hog  in  the  daytime 
within  a  few  rods  of  the  house,  and  was  driven  off  by  the  inmates,  but 
the  half  dozen  dogs  set  in  pursuit  could  not  be  induced  to  follow  it. 

Camp-meetings  were  pleasurable  incidents  in  the  often  monotonous 
lives  of  the  settlers,  and  were  attended  by  young  and  old,  grave  and  gay. 
Some 'came  for  spiritual  enlightenment,  some  for  amusement,  some  out  of 
mere  curiosity,  and  others  for  sinister  purposes,  they  being  sometimes 
frequented  by  roughs  and  even  robbers,  as  in  the  well  remembered  instance 
of  robbery  by  the  Reeves  gang.  Members  who  were  able  brought  their 


A    STYLISH    WEDDING HORSE-RACING.  489 

tents,  and  aside  from  their  own  families  were  expected  to  accommodate 
their  friends.  Robert  Bird  tells  how  he  attended  a  meeting  in  Strawn's 
woods  and  was  invited  by  a  friend  to  share  with  his  children  a  couch  of 
straw  in  one  corner.  He  retired  early,  going  off  into  a  sound  sleep,  and 
was  surprised  in  the  morning  to  find  half  a  dozen  buxom  young  ladies  in 
undress  uniform  calmly  snoring  by  his  side.  They  had  been  taken  in 
during  the  night  and  shown  to  their  resting  place  by  the  "  woman  of  the 
house,"  utterly  forgetful  of  the  already  occupant  of  the  "bunk."  Great 
was  their  consternation  and  greater  his  fright,  but  the  hostess  explained 
all  and  the  matter  ended  with  a  jolly  laugh  all  round. 

A  stylish  wedding  took  place  in  Richland  Township  in  the  winter  of 
1833-4,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Burt,  in  Round  Prairie,  it  being  that  of  Mr. 
Robert  Bird  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Burt;  Esquire  Barnes  tied  the  nuptial 
knot.  The  young  men  who  attended  doffed  their  buckskin  breeches  in 
honor  of  the  occasion,  and  arrayed  themselves  in  store  clothes  (chiefly  blue 
jeans,)  and  tow  shirts,  while  the  girls  threw  off  home-spun  for  "kalliker," 
and  eveiything  was  exceedingly  lovely.  After  the  ceremony  the  guests, 
about  twenty  couples,  partook  of  a  mammoth  pot-pie,  from  the  discussion 
of  which  they  were  aroused  by  the  squeak  of  the  violin,  a  prelude  to  the 
merry  dance  which  followed. 

An  old  settler  speaking  of  the  cool  season  that  followed  the  great  snow 
says  there  \vere  no  house  flies,  nor  none  of  the  plagues  which  torment 
cattle  and  horses.  No  cellars  were  needed  to  preserve  milk  and  butter. 
There  were  neither  fleas  nor  bed  bugs,  and  not  a  musquito  put  in  its  ex- 
asperating song  to  disturb  the  pioneer  in- his  sleep,  though  the  cabin  was 
in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  among  tall  grass  and  rank  weeds.  Neither  ague 
nor  fevers  appeared  during  that  season,  nor  malarial  diseases.  But  little 
corn  or  wheat  was  raised,  but  the  crop  of  grass  was  enormous. 

One  of  the  exciting  sports  of  the  day  was  horse-racing,  and  a  race  was 
once  arranged  between  Eli  Strawn  and  a  young  man  named  Wright,  from 
Shaw's  Point.  It  was  towards  spring,  and  while  the  track  was  hard 
packed  in  the  road,  there  was  a  treacherous  unknown  depth  of  snow  in  the 
ravines  it  were  best  to  avoid.  This  Strawn  well  knew,  but  Wright  did  not. 
They  started  together  and  ran  neck  and  neck  until,  reaching  a  ravine, 
Strawn's  horse  crowded  the  other  off  the  track,  and  over  they  went  out  of 


490  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

sight  in  the  depths  below.     Both  were  extricated  without  harm,  and  the 
race  was  won  by  Strawn. 

The  Waughobs  were  a  lazy,  improvident  set,  who  spent  their  time 
hunting  bees.  Once  a  swarm  was  found  near  Strawn's  house,  and  wish- 
ing to  get  it  without  alarming  the  latter  they  proceeded  to  cut  it  down 
silently  with  augers.  Manfully  they  worked  through  a  long  autumn  day 
and  had  nearly  succeeded  when  they  were  discovered.  Strawn  used  to 
say  it  was  the  sweetest  honey  he  ever  ate  and  the  cheapest. 

September  12,  1836,  William  Maxwell  concluded  that  as  prospective 
cities  were  springing  up  around  him  in  every  direction,  it  would  be  well 
for  Richland  to  have  »ne,  and  accordingly  laid  out  and  platted  "Auburn," 
on  Section  25,  Town  29,  Range  2  west,  oretting  tired  of  waiting  for  his 
city  to  grow  he  plowed  up  its  numerous  streets  and  alleys  and  turned  it 
to  account  as  a  corn  and  potato  field. 

While  Colonel  Bell  kept  the  station  house  at  the  ford  he  frequently 
had  considerable  money  on  hand,  and  kept  his  "bank"  in  his  clock.  One 
day  after  the  stage  had  departed  he  found  his  hoard  was  missing.  Mount- 
ing his  horse,  he  rode  swiftly  until  the  vehicle  was  overtaken,  and  found 
his  money  safe  in  the  bottom,  where  the  thief  had  placed  it. 


GENERAL    DESCRIPTION    OF    LA    PRAIRIE    TOWNSHIP. 


491 


LA  PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Township,  lying  in  the  south-west  corner  of  Marshall 
County,  is  six  miles  square,  and  contains  very  little  waste 
land  in  its  borders.  The  soil  is  a  rich  dark  loam,  and  in 
fertility  and  productiveness  has  no  superior  in  the  State. 
While  it  has  no  large  streams,  it  has  an  abundance  of 
"spring  branches,"  as  they  are  termed,  and  no  Township 
in  the  County  is  better,,  watered  or  better  adapted  to  agri- 
cultural uses  than  is  this.  It  lies  within  the  limits  of  the 
"  Military  bounty  tract,"  a  portion  of  territory  set  apart  by  the  Gov- 
ernment for  bounties  to  soldiers  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  specially 
selected  for  its  many  advantages.  It  was  surveyed  in  1815-16,  and 
patents  allotted,  but  thy  holders  transferred  them  in  many  cases  to  others, 
and  out  of  it  grew  conflicts  of  ownership  and  litigation  extending  down  to 
the  present  time.  This  retarded  settlements  until  about  1850-55,  since 
when  the  country  has  rapidly  developed. 

La  Prairie  is  by  many  considered  the  banner  township  of  the  County. 
As  compared  with  others  its  farms  are  smaller,  and  in  a  majority  of  cases 
owned  by  the  occupants  upon  them,  and  as  a  natural  sequence  they  are 
under  a  more  intelligent  cultivation,  their  buildings  better,  the  hedges  in 
finer  condition,  and  there  is  a  general  air  of  thriftiness.  The  inhabitants 
are  mainly  to  the  "manor  born,"  though  there  is  a  large  colony  of  Scotch 
within  its  borders  —  good  citizens  and  thrifty  farmers,  who  have  stamped 
the  impress  of  their  industry  and  individuality  upon  the  Township. 

To  Chas.  Stone  it  is  said  belongs  the  honor  of  giving  the  very  pretty 
and  suggestively  appropriate  name  it  bears,  which  came  about  in  this 
wise.  The  name  of  Fairfield  was  the  first  choice  of  the  majority,  and  La 
Prairie  their  second.  This  report  was  made  to  Silas  Ramsey,  County 
Judge,,  who,  finding  there  were  already  several  places  bearing  the  first 


492  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

name,  and  none  the  second,  arbitrarily  but  very  properly  substituted  that 
name  on  the  records. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  iii  the  neighborhood  of  Root's  farm  was  by  Miss 
Lucia  Root,  in  a  hewn  log  house  near  Simon  Reed's  place,  in  Hallock, 
during  a  part  of  1831. 

In  1837  or  '38  Robert  Will  built  a  school  house  in  this  locality,  which 
building  has  since  been  known  by  his  name. 

About  1855  a  school  house  was  built  near  E.  P.  Roots.  It  is  a  frame 
the  lower  story  built  for  schools,  and  a  large  public  hall  above. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  Township  was  a 
log  building  erected  in  1843,  and  school  kept  there  during  the  winter  of 
1843-44,  by  John  Lindsay. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  vicinity  of  Lawn  Ridge  was  put  up  on 
Stone's  land. 

Prior  to  this  time  school  had  been  taught  in  Mr.  Hurd's  house  by  Mrs. 
Joseph  Atwood,  in  about  1847. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  Hurd's  dwelling,  near  Mr.  Chas.  Stone's 
house.  The  people  living  about  that  neighborhood  in  1852,  undertook 
to  build  a  school  house  at  the  expense  of  the  entire  Township,  but  the 
citizens  generally  objected  and  quite  a  feeling  was  aroused  in  the  com- 
munity. A  compromise  was  finally  made,  and  the  house  built,  the  first 
in  this  part  of  the  Township.  It  was  eighty  rods  from  Stone's  residence, 
near  the  "corners." 

FIRST   SETTLERS. 

Beginning  at  the  south-eastern  corner  of  La  Prairie  we  find  that  the 
first  settler  in  the  locality  was  William  Coulson,  who  came  here  from 
Peoria  in  September,  1832,  and  established  himself  in  a  double  log  cabin 
on  Section  twenty-three,  where  for  several  years  he  kept  a  house  of  enter- 
tainment. It  stood  about  half  a  mile  south  of  the  Archibald  Riddle  farm, 
on  the  Galena  road. 

In  1838  he  built  a  new  house,  about  half  a  mile  away  from  the  first, 
and  lived  there  several  years,  keeping  a  hotel  as  before.  He  died  in 
about  1843,  and  his  place  was  bought  by  Archibald  Riddle  and  brother, 
where  the  former  now  resides.  Mrs.  Coulson  moved  to  Peoria  and 


EARLY  SETTLERS  OF  LA  PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  49?> 

married  a  Mr.  King,  and  the  daughter  also  took  a  mate  and  moved  to 
Iowa. 

The  second  settler  in  the  town  was  Solomon  Brewer,  who  settled  oil 
Section  twenty -five,  one  mile  south  of  Coulson,  in  1834.  Brewer  was  a 
Carolinian  and  his  wife  was  born  in  Virginia.  They  continued  to  reside 
here  until  1844,  when  they  moved  to  Peoria  County  and  thence  to  Iowa. 

The  third  to  make  a  home  in  this  Township  was  James  Kenyon,  who 
settled  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  twenty-six  in  August,  1836. 
He  was  a  native  of  Laucastershire,  England.  When  he  came  to  this 
country  he  located  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  labored  as  a 
weaver  until  he  had  earned  enough  money  to  send  back  for  his  family, 
who  joined  him  in  due  time.  On  his  arrival  in  this  Township  the  first 
night  he  encamped  under  a  tree,  and  leaving  his  family  hastened  to  Quincy 
and  entered  the  land,  and  lived  on  it,  a  prosperous  farmer,,  until  1847, 
when  he  moved  to  Peoria  County,  and  there  died,  as  did  his  wife  and 
daughter  and  only  son,  James. 

In  about  1832  Mr.  Elisha  Stowell  and  wife,  formerly  Miss  Ellen  Will, 
settled  on  Section  Thirty-three,  on  the  land  now  occupied  in  part  by 
Lucas  P.  Root,  two  miles  east  of  Lawn  Ridge.  Mr.  Stowell  continued  to 
reside  thereon  xintil  1842,  when  he  moved  to  Stark  County,  where  he 
died. 

James  Caldwell  came  in  1838  from  Erie,  Pa.,  with  his  wife,,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Sallie  Hay,  and  settled  on  Section  Twenty-five,  on  land 
which  he  had  entered  in  1836.  He  built  a  cabin  and  went  to  work  with 
a  will,  and  soon  opened  a  fine  farm,  where  his  family  grew  to  three  sons 
and  eight  daughters.  Here  he  lived  until  1878,  when  he  sold  to  Alexan- 
der Russell,  and  moved  to  Chillicothe. 

In  1 838  Richard  Scholes  bought  and  settled  on  the  south-west  quarter 
of  Section  3,  about  two  miles  west  of  Drake's  Grove,  and  built  a  substan- 
tial log  cabin,  where  he  lived  a  couple  of  years,  when  he  sold  to  Nathaniel 
Weed.  It  is  now  the  property  of  the  McCoy  heirs.  Scholes  moved  to 
North  Hampton,  where  his  wife  died,  and  thence  to  Chillicothe,  where  he 
too  paid  the  debt  of  Nature. 

The  next  prominent  settlers  of  this  locality  were  Archibald  and 
Robert  Riddle,  two  Scotchmen  who  bought  the  Coulson  farm  in  1843-4 
and  for  several  years  kept  "bach."  there.  In  1851  or  1852  Robert  sold 
his  interest  to  "Archie"  and  went  to  California,  where  he  was  unfortun- 


494  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

ate  and  returned  broken  down  in  health,  but  recovered,  and  in  a  few 
years  after  bought  a  place  at  Weed's  corner,  when  he  opened  a  fine 
farm  and  grew  wealthy. 

Another  leading  citizen  of  the  Township  in  the  same  vicinity,  is  Mr. 
Edwin  S.  Jones,  long  known  to  the  old  settlers  as  Fsquire  Jones.  He 
was  an  early  settler  of  Peoria  County,  and  bought  the  Solomon  Brewer 
farm  in  ehe  summer  of  1844,  and  has  ever  since  resided  there. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Township  is 
Erastus  C.  Root,  who  came  to  the  County  in  October,  1830.  Although 
his  farm  is  mostly  in  Marshall  County  his  dwelling  lies  across  the  line,  so 
that  he  is  in  reality  a  citizen  of  Peoria  County.  His  father,  Jehiel  Root, 
and  family,  accompanied  by  Samuel  Reed  and  others,  making  ten  wagons 
in  all,  came  here  from  Ohio  and  settled  in  Hallock  Township.  Mr.  Root 
lived  for  som<  time  in  Chillicothe,  and  began  improvements  on  his  present 
farm  in  1836.  'His  cabin  was  an  exceedingly  airy  and  open  one. 
There  was  no  floor,  nor  door,  nor  chinks  between  the  logs,  and  Mrs.  Root 
was  in  mortal  terror  lest  the  Indians  might  crawl  in  through  these  roomy 
crevices  and  steal  her  children,  and  finally  getting  indignant  at  the  delay 
of  fixing  the  cabin,  told  her  husband  the  holes  in  the  wall  must  be  stopped 
or  they  would  lose  some  of  their  children. 

The  stage  road  then  ran  through  North  Hampton,  from  Peoria  to 
Galena.  It  came  down  from  Boyd's  Grove,  east  of  the  timber,  and 
changed  horses  at  Esq.  Jones'  place. 

Roswell  Nurs,  another  neighbor,  catae  in  1837,  and  Jacob  Booth  one 
year  later,  and  settled  near  what  was  known  as  the  "Buffalo  wallow," 
from  a  springy  place,  wherein  large  numbers  of  buffalo  bones  have  been 
found. 

Robert  Will,  Sr.,  came  in  1837  and  settled  near  Root's  claim. 

Lyman  Robinson  arrived  here  in  1843,  and  opened  a  farm. 

SETTLERS    AT    LAWN    RIDGE. 

Charles  Stone  came  on  to  the  prairie  in  1845.  His  house  was  for 
many  years  the  only  place  of  public  entertainment  in  the  Township. 

The  next  settlers  in  this  locality  were  Joshua  Powell  and  "  Deacon  " 
Smith,  the  former  on  the  south-east  quarter  of  Section  32. 

The  first  blacksmithing  in  this  locality  was  done  by  Mr.  Smith,  in  a 
part  of  Charles  Stone's  house 


EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    LA    PRAIRIE   TOWNSTIIP.  497 

Rev.  Mr.  Orel  way  came  about  1846,  and  the-Hurds  came  a  little  later. 

Other  settlers  were  William  Stevenson,  Mr.  Stowell,  Sr.,  the  Vin- 
cents, Joseph  Calder,  Ransom  Caldwell  and  Jacob  Booth.  The  latter 
lived  some  years  in  the  timber  south  before  taking  up  his  last  homestead. 

Henry  Scott  settled  on  Section  16,  and  Mr.  Davidson  and  Wilder 
Scott  settled  upon  the  School  Section.  Stephen  Wilmot  came  in  an 
earlier  day. 

Mr.  Stone  brought  here  1,000  head  of  sheep,  but  the  wolves  were  so 
numerous  and  destructive  that  he  abandoned  this  enterprise  in  1850. 

In  1848  Elisha  N.  Leigh  and  Amos  F.  Leigh  improved  portions  of 
Section  15  and  16,  and  moved  their  families  a  year  later. 

North  of  Chas.  Stone's,  Joel  Atwood  settled  a  year  or  two  later. 

Francis  Grady  was  the  pioneer  of  Camp  Grove,  coming  about  1842. 

William  Smith  and  his  sons  Andrew  and  William  and  James,  who 
settled  on  Section  16,  came  soon  after. 

Mr.  Scott,  with  his  sons  Henry  and  William,  came  about  1851.  They 
first  settled  in  the  timber,  and  afterward  moved  oh  to  Section  16.  Henry 
died  in  the  fall  of  1876,  and  William  was  drowned  at  Lacon  in  1869. 

Stephen  Wilmot  settled  on  Section  3,  and  moved  to  Section  16  two 
years  after,  about  1847.  His  sons  B.  C.  and  X.  C.  are  now  both  resi- 
dents of  Section  16. 

Levi  Holmes  located  on  Section  2,  James  Doran  on  Section  1 2. 

Father  Kellogg  came  in  1850,  starting  his  farm  in  the  western  part  of 
Section  7. 

Charlotte  Reynolds  came  here  about  1855,  and  improved  the  so\ith- 
west  quarter  of  Section  8. 

Wm.  Ricker  improved  the  quarter  section  in  1854  or  '55,  which  is  now 
owned  by  David  Shearer. 

Wm.  Cornell,  now  living  near  Loda,  111.,  settled  north  of  Malachi 
Grove's  farm  about  1854  or  '55.  He  was  a  broom-maker  and  sold  his 
goods  all  over  the  country. 

Adam  Crawford  settled  upon  his  present  place  in  1854. 

Alden  Hull  came  here  about  1 845.  He  started  in  life  as  a  shoemaker, 
was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  many  years,  a  member  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture, and  was  Treasurer  of  the  School  Fund  for  his  District.  Decem- 
ber 12,  1879,  he  celebrated  his  eighty-sixth  birthday. 

James  Davidson  opened  his  farm  in  1855,  and  Robert  Pringle  about 
that  date.  James  Leigh  improved  near  them  on  Section  24  ;  about  1852, 


498  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN 

buying  from  Geo.  Scholes,  who  had  fenced  the  land  but  not  broken  it. 
James  Leigh  and  his  wife  died  of  typhoid  fever  1859. 

Thomas  Keller  settled  west  of  Archie  Riddles,  in  the  edge  of  the  tim- 
ber, in  1850.  He  was  a  Methodist  exhorter,  and  becoming  insane,  was 
sent  to  Jacksonville,  where  he  died. 

George  Hasty  improved  near  Caldwell's  place,  on  the  north,  about 
1850. 

Richard  Frary  opened  his  farm  in  1850,  and  Paul  Frary  near  him 
about  the  same  season,  both  on  Sections  nineteen  and  twenty. 

James  Bates  settled  north  of  them  in  1850  and  afterward  sold  to  Wm. 
McCoy. 

Arthur  Ricker  improved  a  farm,  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Lucas  Root's 
sons,  in  1850.  Mrs.  R.  was  a  poetess  and  Universalist,  and  celebrated 
her  religious  views  and  her  loyalty  by  composing  patriotic  odes. 

Thomas  Wood  opened  his  claim  on  Section  18  about  1852.  He  met 
with  a  sad  bereavement  in  the  loss  of  a  little  son,  who,  while  attempting 
to  drink  from  an  open  well,  fell  in  and  was  drowned. 

Nathan  Manock  made  a  farm  north  of  Hasty's  on  Section  21. 

Nathaniel  Green  made  his  farm  on  Section  24,  about  1855. 

Ann  C.  Calder,  whose  husband,  James  Calder,  died  soon  after  she 
came  here,  opened  a  large  farm  and  proved  herself  to  be  an  excellent 
farmer  and  business  woman. 

John  Martin  came  here  in  1853,  buying  part  of  his  place  from  John 
Halstead. 

Barte  Halstead  opened  his  farm  south  of  Martin's  about  1860. 

Jacob  Booth  came  here  in  1850,  improved  his  farm  on  Section  24,  and 
subsequently  died  there. 

Elijah  Stowell  settled  north  of  the  above  in  about  1850. 

Solomon  Stowell  began  on  his  place  in  Section  27  in  about  1852,  and 
afterward  moved  to  near  Chillcothe. 

Calvin  Stowell's  farm  was  improved  by  Ebenezer  Stowell,  his  father, 
in  1865. 

Ransom  Caldwell  came  to  this  locality,  settling  first  in  the  timber,  in 
1 855,  and  afterward  moved  out  upon  his  present  farm,  in  Section  23. 

Byi-on  Hill  started  a  place  east  of  him  in  1859,  and  sold  to  Mr. 
Coonly,  who  injured  himself  while  playing  ball  and  died  in  1860. 

Byron  Hill  also  improved  the  north-east  quarter  of  Section  29  in  1854. 

John  dime  made  a  farm  north-east  of  the  Town  Hall,  on  Section  15, 


CHURCHES    OF    LA    PRAIRIE    TOWNSHIP.  499 

in  1854,  lived  here  for  many  years  aud  then  removed  with  his  family  to 
Ford  County. 

Milton  Webber  came  in  1854,  and  made  improvements  east  of  the 
Smith  farm. 

Dr.  Levi  Vincent  came  to  his  place  in  1855. 

Lynian  Bates  came  to  the  Township  in  1835,  and  worked  for  Richard 
Scholes  on  his  farm.  He  broke  the  first  prairie  in  the  Township  and 
planted  the  first  osage  orange  hedge  west  of  the  river-  They  came  from 
J.  B.  Turner,  of  Jacksonville. 

Joel  D.  Forbush  settled  near  the  north-east  corner  of  La  Prairie  in 
1851.  He  had  been  a  resident  of  Lacon,  coining  to  that  place  in  184G. 

EDWIN    S.    JONES. 

None  of  the  early  settlers  of  Marshall  County  are  better  known  than 
"Squire  Jones,"  a  title  he  is  justly  entitled  to,  having  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  about  forty  years.  He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1805,  but  was  brought  up  in  Ohio.  He  came  to  Chillicothe  November  9, 
1831. 

He  recollects  the  winter  of  1831  as  being  very  cold  and  long.  It  began 
in  November,  about  the  17th,  and  remained  intensely  cold,  with  but  a 
slight  "let  up"  in  January,  until  the  latter  part  of  March  or  first  week 
in  April. 

Another  ancient  settler  is  Lucas  Root,  who  came  from  New  York  in 
1830,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  on  La  Salle  Prairie.  He  has  seen 
greater  changes  in  his  lifetime  than  is  often  given  to  man  to  witness,  and 
bears  the  burden  of  his  years  well.  He  came  to  La  Prairie  in  1841 
and  performed  his  full  share  in  developing  the  country  and  making  the 
wilderness  to  blossom  as  a  rose.  We  are  indebted  to  him  for  many  of 
the  incidents  here  related. 

THE    U.    P.    CHURCH. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  this  Township  was  organized  in 
about  1845,  but  for  the  first  thirteen  years  of  its  existence  the  records  it 
seems  are  lost,  the  oldest  sessional  records  known  being  dated  April  1, 
1840.  Up  to  this  year  there  were  no  church  organizations  of  any  kind  in 
La  Prairie,  nor  nearer  to  the  south  than  Peoria.  The  Scotch  Presbyter- 
ians, among  whom  were  the  Scotts,  Smiths  and  Davidsons,  soon  began  to 


500  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLl»EN    TIME. 

come  in,  but  they  were  without  pastors  and  their  flocks  were  tended  by 
wandering  shepherds.  Among  those  were  Father  Weed,  John  Wallace, 
J.  C.  Porter  and  John  McMasters,  D.  D. 

In  March,  1844,  Rev.  John  L.  Freetly  was  appointed  by  the  Presby- 
tery to  preach  here,  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  June,  1844,  the  Society 
was  duly  constituted.  He  was  accompanied  by  Thomas  Smith,  from 
Peoria.  The  services  were  held  in  a  barn  belonging  to  Samuel  McCoy, 
one-half  mile  west  of  Samuel  McLaughlin's.  James  Ross  and  George 
Davidson  were  the  first  Ruling  elders.  These,  together  with  George 
Scott  and  wife,  John  Davidson  and  wife,  Mrs.  George  Davidson  and  Mrs. 
Wilhelmina  Smith,  eight  in  all,  constituted  the  organization. 

The  second  communion  was  had  at  the  barn  of  George  Scott,  where 
services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  John  Pinkerton. 

They  had  no  house  of  worship  in  those  days,  meeting  at  the  houses  of 
the  brothers,  and  their  spiritual  wants  attended  to  by  different  ministers. 
A  prominent  place  of  meeting  was  at  Archie  Riddle's  barn.  On  one  occa- 
sion the  people  had  gathered  there,  when  a  snow  storm  prevented  the 
expected  arrival  of  a  minister,  and  Mr.  William  Bryden  read  a  discourse 
from  a  volume  of  sermons. 

About  the  1st  of  April,  184!>,  Rev.  N.  C.  Weed  moved  into  the 
bounds  of  the  congregation  from  Indiana  County,  Pa. 

The  Society  was  first  designated  as  the  Chillicothe  congregation,  then 
as  the  Seuachwine  Congregation,  and  lastly  it  assumed  the  name  it  now 
bears,  the  "Fairfield  Congregation  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church." 
This  was  adopted  in  the  expectancy  that  Fairfield  would  become  the  name 
of  the  town. 

Father  Weed  was  the  first  stated  or  located  minister,  continuing  his 
ministrations  twelve  years. 

The  roll  of  his  congregation  in  1849,  was  as  follows :  Thomas  Scott, 
Jenet  Scott,  Henry  Scott,  Wilhelmina  Smith,  William  Smith,  John 
Wylie,  Jennie  Wylie,  John  Davidson,  Jennie  Davidson,  George  Hastings, 
Helen  Hastings  and  Jenet  Riddle. 

The  Ruling  Elders  were:  James  Ross  and  George  Davidson. 

Father  Weed  was  the  regular  supply  here  until  the  spring  of  1850, 
when  he  divided  his  time  between  his  flock  here  and  a  church  on  Spoon 
River  until  August  8,  1853. 

Previous  to  the  date  when  Father  Weed  became  the  pastor,  the  con- 
gregation had  worshiped  in  an  old  school  house  near  the  north-eastern  limits 


THE    UNITED    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  501 

of  the  town,  and  sometimes  at  Northampton  or  at  Yankee  Street  school 
house,  but  their  most  usual  place  of  meeting  was  at  the  school  house  first 
named.  Here  they  suffered  from  cold  in  winter,  the  wind  howling 
through  the  crevices  of  the  house,  and  in  summer  wicked  boys  would  dis- 
turb the  people  within  by  pitching  quoits,  throwing  stones  down  the  wide 
mouthed  chimney  <fec. 

Once  after  Mr.  Smith's  family  had  taken  their  places  in  the  wagon  to 
go  home,  the  keen  eyes  of  "Grandmother"  Smith  detected  something 
wrong.  It  was  discovered  that  one  of  the  linch  pins  had  been  removed. 
The  good  old  pastor  was  sometimes  moved  to  lemonstrate  with  the  scamps, 
and  once  when  interrupted  by  a  'ball  of  mud  thrown  through  an  open 
window  at  his  venerable  head,  threatened  the  penalties  of  the  law  upon  the 
offenders. 

The  place  of  worship  followed  the  progress  of  the  settlers  out  upon 
the  praries  and  for  a  time  they  met  at  the  Hull  school  house. 

Father  Weed  after  twelve  years  labor  surrendered  his  charge  of  Fair- 
field  Church,  April  4,  1864,  and  on  that  day  preached  his  farewell  sermon 
from  Cor.  xiii,  2,  "Finally  brethren  farewell.  Be  perfect,  be  of  good 
comfort,  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace 
shall  be  with  you." 

During  his  ministry  here  eighty-eight  persons  were  received  into  the 
followship  of  the  church — thirty-three  on  profession  of  faith  and  fifty-five 
on  certificates. 

During  the  closing  year  of  his  pastorate,  arrangements  had  been  made 
to  build  a  house  of  worship,  and  a  sight  selected  and  accepted,  for  which . 
the  Society  was  placed  under  obligations  to  Mr.  John  Currie  who  donated 
the  ground.     Two  acres  were  devoted  to  the  purposes  of  the  church,  and 
the  contract  of  putting  up  the  building  awarded  to  Robert  Turnbull. 

During  the  next  two  years  and  two  months  the  Society  had  no  stated 
minister,  Rev.  D.  C.  Cochran  once  in  that  period  visiting  the  congregation 
and  administering  the  rights  of  communion,  at  which  time  five  persons 
were  added  to  the  church  on  certificates. 

Rev.  John  F.  Graham  became  thesecotid  pastor.  The  church  build- 
ing was  completed  in  September,  and  cost  $1,600.  The  first  services  were 
held  within  its  walls  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  October,  1863,  when  it  was 
delivered  to  the  Society  free  from  debt. 

Brother  Graham  labored  two  years  adding  twenty-four  to  their  num- 
bers. His  health  having  failed  he  was  compelled  to  resign. 


502  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

For  the  next  six  months  the  Society  had  no  minister.  In  January, 
1866,  Rev.  Martin  Morrison  was  called  as  their  regular  pastor  and  had 
charge  of  the  church  five  years  during  which  time  forty-three  people  were 
added  to  the  rolls  of  membership.  Seventeen  children  were  also  baptised 
and  thirteen  marriages  were  consumated. 

During  the  succeeding  four  years  the  Society  had  no  stated  minister, 
though  many  preachers  came  at  irregular  times  and  conducted  services. 

The  Board  of  Home  Mission  appointed  Rev.  H.  H.  Houston  as  pastor 
who  began  his  services  in  this  congregation  in  January,  and  was  ordained 
and  installed  March  2,  1875,  and  has  been  in  charge  of  the  church  since 
that  date. 

A  good  Sabbath  School  has  been  conducted  in  connection  with  the 
church  ever  since  the  Society  was  able  to  muster  a  sufficient  attendance  of 
pupils,  and  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

THE    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

This  Society  WBS  organized  at  Blue  Ridge  January  16,  1846,  by  the 
Rev.  L.  N.  Parker,  of  Galesburg,  through  the  joint  exertions  of  Nathaniel 
Smith,  Ebenezer  Stowell  and  Dr.  Wilmot.  The  first  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  R.  C.  Bristol.  The  preamble  to  the  articles  of  faith  adopted  re- 
cited as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  Amid  the  light  now  shining,  the  manufacture,  use  and  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors,  as  well  as  the  holding  of  slaves  or  apologizing  for  slavery  by  enacting  pro-slavery 
laws,  are  sins  against  God  and  these  covenant  vows,  etc." 

As  this  was  a  time  when  slavery  had  not  been  largely  agitated,  and 
the  majority  of  men  preferring  peace  and  quietness  to  turmoil  were  averse 
to  raising  questions  involving  peril,  and  an  abolitionist  was  looked  upon  as 
little  better  than  a  horse  thief,  it  will  be  seen  it  required  no  small  degree 
of  courage  to  thus  put  one's  self  upon  the  record,  yet  the  brave  little 
band  were  prepared  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  their  actions,  and  this 
advance  ground  has  been  maintained  by  the  congregation  to  this  day. 
No  member  was  admitted  without  assenting  to  this  article,  and  no  one  re- 
fused to  join  on  its  account,  but  a  good  old  Elder  from  abroad,  publicly 
reading  the  articles  of  faith  once  on  a  time,  carne  to  this  clause  —  hemmed 
hawed,  and  jumped  it.  But,  as  was  quietly  remarked,  his  race  has  long 
since  passed  away. 

The  Society  grew  and  flourished,  and  in  1856  constructed  a  very  neat 


TRAVELING    AND    MAIL    FACILITIES.  503 

church  for  the  times,  which  two  years  later  was  demolished  in  a  wind 
storm  and  soon  after  re-constructed.  The  present  fine  edifice  —  one  of 
the  best  in  the  county — was  built  in  1876. 

THE    M.     E.    CHURCH    AT    LA    PRAIRIE. 

A  Methodist  Society  was  organized  in  1850  by  Rev.  Samuel  Smith. 
Thomas  Huff  was  the  first  class  leader.  He  sxiffered  from  consumption, 
and  after  a  time  was  succeeded  by  Amos  F.  Leigh.  About  eight  or  nine 
persons  constituted  the  class.  They  were:  Amos  F.  Leigh,  Thomas  Huff 
and  wife,  Mrs.  Hay,  Mrs.  William  Hart,  William  Hancock  and  wife,  and 
Nancy  Hull.  The  result  of  this  Society  was  the  building  of  La  Prairie 
Center  Church  in  1859,  costing  $1,825  when  complete,  of  which  amount 
the  Leigh  family  contributed  the  sum  of  $900. 

In    I860  a  famous  revival  took  place  in  the  church,  Rev.  Samuel 
Smith  officiating,  and  one  hundred  converts  were  added  to  the  member- 
ship.    The  church  was  dedicated  in  the  spring  of  1861,  by  Elder  Ritchie. 
Rev.  George  Irwin  was  the  last  minister  in  charge. 

THE     TOWN    HALL. 

In  the  center  of  the  Township  stands  a  large  publk;  hall  built  by  tax- 
ation, for  public  purposes,  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  Here  the  elections  are 
held,  public  meetings  lectures,  etc.,  and  all  business  of  a  public  nature 
transacted. 

THE    STAGES. 

The  first  stage  line  through  La  Prairie  Township,  and  the  western  por- 
tion of  Marshall  County,  was  established  in  about  1830.  John  P.  Win- 
ters had  the  mail  contract  over  the  route  from  Peoria  to  Galena  up  to  1831 
or  later,  and  ran  his  stages  from  Northampton  through  the  south-eastern 
corner  of  the  Township,  thence  to  Boyd's  Grove.  A  man  named  Crane 
drove  stage  for  the  contractor,  going  clear  through  to  Galena,  in  the  sum- 
mer in  a  light  two  horse  wagon  and  in  winter  in  a  sled. 

The  mail  ran  from  Peoria  to  Meredith's  cabin,  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles,  where  the  horses  were  changed,  and  thence  to  Boyd's  Grove,  twenty 
miles  further.  Afterward,  in  1832,  the  stages  stopped  at  Coulson's,  near 
Jones'  farm. 

Later  the  conveyances  increased  to  a  four-horse  turn  out,  and  the 
coaches  aspired  to  considerable  style,  and  as  a  consequence  more  in  keep- 


504  KECOKDS    OF    THE    OLDKX   TIME. 

ing  with  the  growing  aristocracy  of  the  travelers.     They  were  hauled  off 
in  about  1840  or  1841. 


LAWN  RIDGE. 

This  pretty  little  village  is  located  iu  the  extreme  south-west  corner 
of  the  Township,  as  well  as  of  Marshall  County,  on  the  dividing  ridge 
between  Spoon  River  on  the  west  and  the  Illinois  on  the  east,  the  water 
flowing  in  opposite  directions  from  this  elevation.  Its  streets  are  straight, 
laid  out  at  right  angles,  and  land  being  plenty  and  cheap,  the  lots  are 
roomy.  As  this  was  a  broad  prairie,  and  shade  a  necessity,  the  people 
at  an  early  day  turned  their  attention  to  shrubbery,  and  now  shade  trees 
everywhere  line  the  walks  and  tall  hedges  border  the  fields.  The  town 
was  laid  out  by  Mr.  Gilman,  but  never  platted,  the  lots  having  been  sold 
by  metes  and  bounds. 

Mr.  Ordway,  the  first  postmaster,  named  the  post  office,  and  the  name 
was  adopted  for  that  of  the  village.  The  first  mails  were  carried  by  a 
small  boy  on  a  pony,  to  and  from  Northampton. 

In  1880  its  business  consisted  of  a  post  office,  two  drug  stores,  one 
grocery  store,  one  general  store,  a  harness  shop,  three  blacksmith  shops, 
two  restaurants,  t^>  shoe  shops,  two  wagon  shops,  a  cabinet  ware  store, 
a  barbel',  two  hotels,  etc.,  etc. 

The  place  has  a  public  hall,  which,  though  small  will  accommodate  all 
demands  upon  it  for  some  time.  The  public  school  building  is  35  by  70  feet, 
and  has  room  for  many  pupils  more  than  its  present  attendance,  which  is 
125.  It  is  conducted  on  the  graded  plan,  and  a  creditable  institution. 
The  building  cost  $5,000.  The  village  also  has  two  churches,  the  Metho- 
dist and  Union  Presbyterian,  both  creditable  frame  structures  of  neat  ap- 
pearance and  ample  capacity. 

The  Masons  of  the  vicinity  obtained  their  charter,  October  5,  1864, 
and  were  installed  at  once  as  Lawn  Ridge  Lodge  No.  415.  The  charter 
members  were  H.  A.  Barry,  Amos  F.  Leigh,  John  B.  Phillips,  Stephen 
Trial,  Robert  Will,  Wm.  E.  Smith,  Richard  Davidson,  Loring  C.  Rogers, 
Isaac  F.  Bailey,  W.  H.  Wilmot.  Their  first  officers  were  H.  A.  Barry, 
M. ;  Amos  F.  Leigh,  S.  W.,  and  J.  B.  Phillips,  J.  W.  They  have  a  neat 
Lodge  room  in  the  upper  portion  of  Powell's  building,  and  a  good  mem- 
bership of  active,  influential  men. 

The  village  not  being  located  upon  or  very  near  any  stream,  is  sup- 


PAPER    CITIES  — LOST    IN    THE    SXOW.  505 

plied  with  water  for  all  purposes,  by  wells,  digging  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  below  the  surface,  where  an  abundance  is  found. 

•  ii  -  ''!;<:. 

The  long  lost  town  of  Chambersbui-g,  in  La  Prairie  Township,  cover- 
ing a  half  section  of  land,  being  the  south-west  and  north-west  quarter  of 
Section  12,  Town  8  east  of  the  4th  principal  meridian,  was  laid  out  by 
John  T.  Shepherd  and  Jesse  J.  Cox,  August  13,  183(i.  For  several  years 
it  occupied  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  records,  and  made  much  work  for 
the  assessor  and  collector.  The  owners  finding  its  prospects  as  a  city  to 
be  of  an  entirely  unpromising  character,  plowed  the  city  under  in  disgust, 
and  put  it  to  raising  corn.  It  was  situated  on  the  farms  of  E.  Scoon  and 
James  Doran. 

TROY    CITY. 

Another  extensive  paper  town  was  laid  out  by  Sanfoid  Klock,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1836,  on  Section  22,  and  called  Troy  City.  Years  ago  it  was 
transformed  into  a  couple  of  good  farms,  and  dropped  out  of  municipal 
existence. 

MEN    LOST    AND    FROZEN    IN    THE    SNOW. 

During  the  winter  of  1830-1  two  men,  a  Mr.  McMillan  and  a  Mr. 
Franklin  came  to  Simon  Reed's,  on  La  Salle  Prairie,  with  two  sled  loads 
of  goods,  chiefly  "Mackinaw  blankets,"  en  route  to  Prairie  Du  Chien,  Wis- 
consin. To  each  of  these  sleds  were  attached  three  yoke  of  oxen.  They 
had  encountered  the  deep  snow  of  that  remarkable  season  at  North  Hamp- 
ton, and  were  obliged  to  wait  a  few  days  for  it  to  pack.  While 
waiting  they  concluded  to  expedite  their  journey  by  making  another  sled 
and  dividing  the  two  loads  into  three,  putting  two  yoke  of  oxen  to  each 
conveyance  and  hiring  Mr.  Cooper,  a  resident  of  the  locality,  to  drive  one 
of  the  teams.  This  arrangement  perfected  they  renewed  their  journey, 
aiming  to  cross  the  prairie  and  reach  Boyd's  Grove,  twenty  miles  distant, 
the  first  day.  Hour  after  hour  they  plodded  their  weary  way  across  the 
trackless  snow-covered,  plain,  and  at  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
the  jaded  cattle  were  unable  longer  to  face  the  inclemency  of  the  storm, 
and  the  men,  benumbed  with  cold,  finding  their  lives  in  danger,  thought 
it  better  to  unhitch  the  oxen  and  leave  them  to  combat  the  elements 


50(J  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

untrameled  by  yoke  or  chain,  while  they  themselves  walked  on  as  best 
they  could. 

Franklin  appears  to  have  left  before  the  loads  were  abandoned  and 
gone  in  advance.  His  companions  saw  him  struggling  onward,  but  before 
they  came  up  he  had  fallen  in  the  snow  never  to  rise  again. 

After  a  half  mile  or  so  Cooper  gave  out,  being  unable  to  proceed 
further,  and  McMillan  made  a  hole  in  the  snow,  covered  him  up  with 
blankets  and  started  alone.  Looking  back  he  saw  Cooper  coming  forward, 
rising  and  falling  in  the  snow,  making  a  last^ struggle  for  his  life.  Not 
daring  to  risk  his  little  remaining  strength  by  going  back,  he  pushed  on, 
and  after  an  hour's  travel,  during  which  he  remembers  little,  he  staggered 
against  a  cabin  door  at  the  long  looked  for  Grove,  and  fell  down  com- 
pletely exhausted. 

The  house  was  full  of  weather  bound  travelers,  who  rubbed  him  with 
snow,  administered  stimulants  and  finally  succeeded  in  restoring  him. 

A  relief  party  was  organized,  who  for  hours  scoured  the  trackless 
expanse  of  snow.  At  length  Cooper's  body  was  found.  He  had  fallen 
on  his  hands  and  knees,  his  face  buried  in  a  drift,  and  completely  ex- 
hausted and  unable  longer  to  battle  with  the  blinding  snow  and  sleet, 
had  succumbed  to  the  fury  of  the  merciless  storm. 

It  was  afterward  learned  that  Cooper's  father  perished  in  a  similar 
manner,  in  1821,  among  the  mountains  of  an  Eastern  State. 

Mr.  Franklin's  body  was  not  found  until  the  following  spring,  the 
melting  of  the  snow  leaving  it  exposed  to  view,  perfect  in  every  feature, 
his  \vinding  sheet  of  snow  protecting  his  remains  from  the  ravages  of  the 
wolves,  the  dreaded  scavengers  of  the  plain. 

THE    MYSTERY    OF    MIKE    WYLEY. 

Iii  the  summer  of  1861  an  Irishman  named  Mike  Wyley,  residing  on 
the  Weaklam  place,  disappeared  under  circustances  strongly  indicative  of 
foul  play.  He  was  an  industrious,  hard  working  farmer,  who  had 
acquired  a  comfortable  property  and  was  generally  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

In  early  life  he  had  been  a  laborer  on  the  canals  of  Pennsylvania  and 
in  a  fight  was  nearly  killed,  his  jaw  being  broken  and  his  face  crushed  in. 
An  ordinary  man  would  never  have  survived,  but  an  iron  constitution 
brought  him  through  with  a  partial  loss  of  his  teeth  and  his  lower  jaw 


THE    MYSTERY    OB'    MIKE    WYLEY.  507 

slightly  misplaced,  there  having  been  some  defect  in  uniting  the  parts, 
which  was  concealed  by  the  heavy  beard  he  afterward  wore.  He  was  a 
man  of  convivial  disposition  and  disposed  when  among  friends  to  drink  to 
excess,  which  single  bad  habit  had  been  the  occasion  of  frequent  and  bitter 
quarrels  with  his  wife.  He  was  wedded  to  a  vindictive,  passionate 
woman,  capable  of  bitter  revenges  if  provoked,  who  had  been  known  to 
threaten  him  if  his  drunken  sprees  were  not  discontinued. 

'  Not  long  before  his  disappearance  he  came  to  Amasa  Garratt  and  ob- 
tained a  load  of  oats,  promising  to  pay  for  them  when  he  hauled  off  his 
corn,  saying  he  required  a  sum  of  money  in  a  few  days,  which  he 
should  then  like  to  borrow.  Mr.  Garratt  knowing  the  man  promptly  said 
he  could  have  it.  The  next  day  he  visited  Sparland,  where  falling  in 
with  some  convivial  companions  he  drank  to  exceess,  and  left  for  home  in 
the  evening  considerably  intoxicated.  That  was  the  last  seen  of  Mike 
Wiley.  It  was  several  days  before  his  absence  was  noted,  for  from  the 
unsociable  character  of  the  woman  few  visited  the  locality,  and  when 
inquiries  were  made  she  turned  them  aside  like  one  who  did  not  care,  and 
made  different  and  conflicting  .explanations  of  the  matter. 

About  two  weeks  afterward  Mr.  Griffin,  living  near  Wyley's  farm, 
received  what  purported  to  be  a  letter  from  him,  dated  Peoria,  instructing 
him  to  see  Mrs.  W.  and  assist  her  in  selling  the  corn  on  hand,  and  with 
the  proceeds  build  her  a  new  house.  He  (Wyley)  was  not  going  to  return 
immediately,  as  he  had  business  in  Omaha  that  would  require  his  absence 
till  fall.  When  this  was  shown  Mrs.  W.  she  manifested  no  surprise  and 
subsequent  events  proved  it  was  written  in  La  Prairie,  carried  to  Peoria 
and  there  mailed. 

Early  in  the  morning  succeeding  the  disappearance  of  Mr.  W.,  Mrs. 
W.  with  the  team  and  a  hired  man  were  seen  coming  from  the  direction  of 
the  river,  and  the  wagon  was  tracked  to  a  place  near  the  bank  where  it 
had  turned  round,  but  though  close  search  was  made  no  traces  of  the 
expected  body  was  found,  and  replying  to  inquiries  on  the  subject  she 
answered  that  they  had  been  to  the  bluffs  to  gather  sassafras.  We  do  not 
know  that  the  matter  was  even  legally  investigated,  but  she  Avas  strongly 
suspected  of  being  guilty  of  the  murder.  So  soon  as  may  be  she  settled 
up  the  business  and  administered  upon  the  property,  and  then  left,  with 
public  sentiment  very  much  against  her.  Not  long  after  the  house  was 
mysteriously  burned  down. 

These  events  occurred  in  1865,  and  for  thirteen  years  the  question  of 


508  RECORDS    OF    TILE   OLDEN    TIME. 

Wyley's  disappearance  was  not  solved.  In  the  spring  of  1878  a  person 
saw  :it  the  top  of  the  bluff,  where  an  old  road  running  past  Wyley's 
cabin  descended  to  the  river,  some  bones  protruding  from  the  side 
of  a  rut  worn  down  by  travel  and  washed  out  by  rains,  and  investi- 
gating the  matter,  found  an  entire  skeleton  that  seemingly  had  been 
doubled  up  and  hastily  buried.  At  first  they  were  believed  to  be  the 
missing  remains  of  Washington  Orr,  but  when  viewed  by  Mike  Wyley's 
friends  were  unmistakably  identified  as  his.  The  fracture  in  the  jaw, 
and  its  permanent  displacement  were  plainly  visible.  The  mystery  was 
at  last  cleared  up,  but  the  circumstances  of  his  death  it  is  probable  never 
will  be.  It  is  supposed  that  on  his  return  a  high  quarrel  ensued,  and  in  a 
drunken  sleep  he  was  murdered  by  the  woman,  who,  with  the  aid  of  con- 
federates removed  the  body  and  buried  it  where  found.  The  spot  was 
right  beside  a  public  road,  and  apparently  the  last  place  to  be  chosen,  but 
really  the  very  best  for  concealment,  for  the  alluvial  soil  being  washed 
away,  any  new  distuibance  of  the  earth  did  not  change  the  general  ap- 
pearance of  the  ground. 

Mrs.  Wylie  did  not  long  remain  about  the  neighborhood,  and  was  last 
heard  from  in  the  vicinity  of  Bradford. 

SAD  DEATH  OF  WIDOW  EVANS. 

Squire  Jones  relates  the  sad  death  of  a  lady,  who  with  her  family  was 
moving  to   Wisconsin,   in   the  fall  of   1846.     She  came  from  St.   Clair 
County,  Illinois.     She  had  a  covered  wagon,  in  which  was  her  family— 
herself  and  six  children,  the  eldest  a  boy  about  sixteen  years  old. 

She  arrived  at  Mr.  Jones'  house  on  a  Thursday,  quite  sick.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jones  did  all  in  their  power  for  her  relief,  and  on  the  following 
Sunday  morning  she  appeared  to  be  better,  and  despite  the  remonstrances 
of  her  new  friends  insisted  upon  continuing  her  journey. 

The  country  north  was  then  one  wide  expanse  of  prairie,  with  only 
two  or  three  houses  in  twenty-five  miles.  Midway  across  she  was  taken 
worse,  and  after  a  few  hours'  suffering,  in  that  solitary  wilderness  alone 
save  the  presence  of  her  sorrowing  little  ones,  she  died.  The  poor  child- 
ren, overwhelmed  with  grief,  did  nothing  for  a  while  but  cry  over  their 
sad  bereavement,  but  finally  the  boy  not  knowing  what  else  to  do  drove 
on  with  his  dead  mother  and  grief  stricken  brothers  and  sisters,  in 
hopes  of  finding  assistance.  At  last,  after  a  weary  drive,  a  house  was 


ANOTHER    MYSTERIOUS   DISAPPEARANCE.  500 

reached,  but  alas!  the  people  had  gone  to  church.      He  went  on  again  to 
miles  to  find  another  house,  and  that,  too,  was  without  an  occupant! 

In  his  sad  distress  he  thought  of  their  kind  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jones,  and  turning  his  course  drove  back  that  long  and  weary  way,  ar- 
riving at  Mr.  J's.  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Knocking  at  the 
door,  between  grief  and  utter  prostration  he  broke  into  heart-rending 
sobs,  exclaiming,  "Oh!  Mr.  Jones,  you  have  been  so  very  kind  to  us,  and 
we  know  you  will  not  refuse  us  help  now.  Poor  mother  is  dead  !  " 

The  good  people  arose,  and  admitted  the  sorrowing  and  exhausted 
family  of  little  ones,  and  learning  that  all  that  day  they  had  not  taken  a 
mouthful  of  food,  a  good  supper  was  soon  provided  for  the  orphaned 
wanderers. 

Mr.  Jones  notified  the  neighbors  and  the  dead  mother  was  decently 
buried.  After  a  week's  stay,  provided  with  a  little  money  and  plenty  of 
food,  the  brave  boy  took  his  little  family  under  his  care  and  resumed  his 
journey. 

MYSTERIOUS    DISAPPEARANCE    OF    WILLIS. 

In  1840,  a  man  supposed  to  be  named  Willis  came  along  and  stopped 
at  Bivwer's  cabin,  on  the  place  where  Esq.  Jones  now  lives.  Jones,  then 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Peoria  County,  had  been  to  Coleson's  on  horse- 
back and  returning,  was  hailed  by  Brewer,  in  front  of  the  latter's  house 
and  called  in.  He  was  taken  up  stairs  by  B.,  who  seemed  to  be  strangely 
excited,  and  without  much  preliminary  explanation,  the  Justice  was  shown 
some  things  which  Brewer  said  a  traveler  who  came  there  the  night  pre- 
vious had  left  and  had  gone  off  mysteriously.  These  things  consisted  of 
a  man's  pocket  book,  beautifully  inlaid  and  fastened  with  a  silver  clasp, 
which  on  being  opened  disclosed  bills,  notes  and  accounts  of  various 
kinds,  worth  $2,500  or  more.  Some  of  the  papers  seemed  to  be  claims 
against  the  city  of  New  York.  Willis,  for  that  appeared  to  be  the  name 
of  the  person  who  left  these  valuables,  had  come  on  foot,  Brewer  said, 
and  he  never  was  heard  of  afterwards,  nor  did  any  one  come  to  claim  the 
valuables,  and  B.  kept  them.  Some  time  afterward  Brewer  and  his 
boys  were  hunting  in  the  neighborhood,  and  he  sent  to  Jones  for  water, 
the  latter  then  living  in  the  same  house.  Jones  thought  it  strange  that 
any  one  should  prefer  sleeping  out  in  a  cold  night,  when  his  hospitable 
doors  were  ever  open,  and  freely  offered  Brewer's  boys  the  best  they  had 
if  they  chose  to  accept  it.  In  declining,  one  of  the  boys  remarked,  with 


510  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

a  shrug,  "You  couldn't  get  dad  to  sleep  in  this  house,"  pointing  to  the 
room  which  the  missing  man  had  occupied,  "for  $1,000." 

WOLF    HUNTING. 

On  Christmas  day,  1830,  Mr.  Lucas  P.  Root  and  twelve  or  fifteen 
neighbors,  among  whom  he  remembers  the  Clevelands,  Silliman,  Reddick, 
Cooper,  Holmes,  Miner  and  Reed,  well  known  early  settlers  of  that  re- 
gion, organized  a  wolf  hunt  on  horseback.  The  party  were  well  mounted 
upon  their  swiftest  young  horses,  but  having  no  dogs,  the  wolves  were  to 
be  run  down,  and  then  despatched  with  clubs.  They  started  at  an  early 
hour,  "to  make  a  full  day  of  it."  A  light  snow  of  an  inch  depth  had  fal- 
len the  night  previous,  enabling  them  to  track  their  game  very  easily. 
Soon  they  struck  a  trail,  and  directly  routed  a  wolf  which  after  a  short 
hot  chase  they  killed. 

Not  long  after  they  came  upon  another  which  gave  them  a  lively  run. 
Mr.  Root's  horse  lead  and  had  nearly  overtaken  the  brute,  when  stepping 
in  a  gopher  hole,  horse  and  rider  came  to  the  ground  withotit  serious  dam- 
age to  either.  The  wolf  was  caught  and  killed  with  the  stirrups  of  the 
saddle.  Wolves  when  so  caught  often  lie  down  like  whipped  curs,  and 
make  no  resistance. 

After  this  event  the  hunters  took  a  long  circuit  south,  thence  to 
Senachwine  timber,  and  back  homeward,  catching  two  more. 

Mr.  Root  once  set  a  steel  trap  near  the  carcass  of  a  cow  and  caught  a 
large,  heavy  timber  wolf,  breaking  one  fore  leg,  and  to  save  itself  the 
animal  gnawed  off  the  leg  above  the  jaws  of  the  trap. 

Mr.  R.  was  one  day  in  the  timber  when  a  couple  of  small  dogs  found 
the  wolf  and  drove  him  down  the  road  toward  where  their  master  was  at 
work,  when  the  brute  took  to  the  woods.  Mr.  R.  wore  a  pair  of  broad 
bottom  shoes,  and  with  care  could  keep  upon  the  crust,  while  the  wolf 
went  through  at  each  jump.  He  was  very  fleet  on  foot,  and  soon  coming 
up  with  it  caught  it  by  the  tail.  He  had  no  weapon,  and  when  the 
animal  turned  to  bite  struck  him  with  his  coon-skin  cap.  Thus  the 
struggle  went  on,  the  wolf  getting  away  and  again  being  caught  as  before, 
until  it  got  under  the  roots  of  a  fallen  tree.  The  dogs  soon  came  up,  and 
with  the  aid  of  a  club  it  was  soon  slain. 

During  the  winter  of  1845  the  settlers  organized  a  wolf  hunt  on  an 
extensive  scale.  Men  were  sent  to  all  the  country  round  to  notify  the 


BJ2A.CON    SMITH    PARTICIPATES    IN    A    WOLF    HUNT.  511 

settlers,  and  on  a  given  morning  all  were  to  start  on  foot  or  horseback, 
surrounding  many  miles  and  converging  towards  a  common  center  at 
a  place  called  "  tow  head,"  south  of  Lawn  Ridge.  The  people  gathered 
according  to  programme  and  the  hunt  began.  One  of  the  rules  was  that 
no  fire  arms  should  be  carried,  a  measure  of  .precaution  against  accidents, 
which  proved  to  be  a  safeguard  not  only  to  the  men  but  the  deer  and 
wolves  also.  The  only  weapons  were  clubs  and  spears,  which  in  the 
hands  of  novices,  mounted  on  frightened  horses,  were  of  no  use  what- 
ever. The  day  was  beautiful  and  everything  lovely  and  successful,  so  far 
as  the  starting  of  game  was  concerned.  Occasionally  a  herd  of  deer  was 
aroused,  and  with  their  white  flags  raised  they  would  charge  the  advan- 
cing lines  until  met  and  turned  back  by  others,  and  this  was  often  re- 
peated. 

Deacon  Smith,  an  active  participant  in  the  sport,  was  mounted  on  an 
ancient  and  trusty  animal  borrowed  for  the  occasion  from  Lucas  Root, 
warranted  for  sober  and  discreet  deportment.  In  early  days  he  had  led 
the  hounds  in  many  a  chase,  but  age  had  tamed  nis  youthful  fire,  and  left 
him  a  serious,  solemn  old  nag,  who  had  seen  too  much  of  the  world  to  be 
scared  at  trifles,  nor  be  urged  to  a  less  dignified  gate  than  a  sort  of  com- 
plicated movement  between  a  trot,  amble  and  walk,  in  which  the  latter 
predominated. 

However,  when  the  game  was  started  and  men  and  horses  began  to 
feel  the  excitement,  Old  Dobbin  caught  some  of  the  spirit  of  the  hour, 
and  made  his  old  joints  crack  in  hot  pursuit.  Soon  the  latent  fires  of 
youth  were  stirred  and  the  old  beast  pricked  up  his  ears,  elevated  his  tail, 
and  seizing  the  bits  in  his  teeth  dashed  on  with  surprising  vehemence,  un- 
mindful of  his  riders'  efforts  to  the  contrary ;  in  fact  he  ran  away,  clear 
beyond  the  line,  and  coming  upon  a  drove  of  sixteen  bucks  charged 
directly  upon  them,  to  the  great  consternation  of  the  unwilling  "Deacon," 
who  in  relating  the  circumstance,  says  he  was  thereby  reminded  of  the 
condition  of  the  Irishman,  who  in  a  similar  fix  was  asked  why  he  did  not 
get  off,  and  responded  :  "An'  how  could  I,  when  it  was  all  I  could  do 
to  sthick  on!"  The  Deacon  just  then  wished  for  his  gun  and  some  one 
to  hold  the  horse,  when  he  thinks  he  might  have  brought  down  some  of 
the  game. 

As  it  was,  the  gap  made  by  his  horse  made  an  opening  in  the  circle, 
through  which  the  deer  safely  escaped.  As  for  his  spear,  it  was  worse 
than  useless,  for  between  keeping  it  from  "jabbing"  his  unmanageable  steed 


512  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

or  his  own  legs  and  holding  on,  he  had  all  he  could  do.  Upward  of  a 
hundred  deer  and  wolves  were  at  one  time  within  the  lines,  but  the  re- 
sults were  wholly  disproportionate  to  the  display,  only  one  deer  having 
been  killed,  and  all  the  wolves  escaping. 

THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD. 

Lawn  Ridge  has  always  been  noted  for  its  advanced  ideas  iipon  the 
subject  of  human  freedom.  Indeed,  with  such  men  for  its  leading  citi- 
zens, and  in  such  a  community  of  intelligent  reading  and  thinking  men,  it 
could  not  be  otherwise.  Men  like  Nathaniel  Smith,  Charles  Stone,  the 
Wilmots  and  others,  could  not  fail  leaving  their  impress  on  the  com- 
munity and  tinge  its  life  to  a  less  or  greater  extent  with  their  opinions. 
It  was  a  season  of  revolution.  Ideas,  like  mighty  armies,  wrere  sweeping 
resistlessly  onward;  public  sentiment  was  undergoing  a  change,  and  these 
men  kept  abreast  the  car  of  progress,  moving  step  by  step,  and  never 
looking  backward.  They  were  the  pioneers,  the  evangelists  of  the 
advancing  army  of  freedom,  whose  mission  it  was  to  break  the  bonds  of 
four  million  human  chattels.  Silently  but  earnestly  they  worked,  and 
happily  they  lived  to  see  the  fruition  of  their  labors.  Verily  they  shall 
have  their  reward. 

The  first  fugitive  that  passed  through  here  was  brought  by  Dr.  Cut- 
ler, of  Princeville,  under  a  feather  bed.  The  next  was  a  colored  man  who 
had  been  pressed  so  closely  by  pursuers  that  to  escape  their  clutches  he 
had  to  dodge  under  a  bridge  at  Farmington,  where  he  remained  hidden  a 
day  and  a  night.  A  friend  of  the  cause  then  brought  him  to  Lawn  Ridge, 
one  of  the  few  places  where  a  fugitive  slave  was  safe. 

The  next  business  of  the  "station"  here  was  to  receive  two  escaping 
chattels,  one  a  Baptist  preacher  and  the  other  a  member  of  his  church. 
One  of  these  was  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  children,  who,  with  the 
other  man,  were  boxed  up.  Deacon  Smith  took  them  to  Providence, 
twenty-five  miles  away. 

Escaping  slaves  were  usually  brought  at  night,  but  went  forward  by 
daylight,  as  there  was  little  danger  beyond  this. 

The  "agents"  here  had  become  so  used  to  being  awakened  in  the 
night  that  when  aroused  by  a  knock  at  the  door  after  hours,  they  knew 
what  it  meant,  and  always  kept  ample  preparations  in  the  way  of  food 
and  lodgings  for  these  ever  welcome  guests. 


THE   UNDERGROUND   RAILROAD.  513 

Of  course  no  pecuniary  recompense  was  asked  or  received  by  Mr.  Smith 
and  his  co-workers  for  handling  this  human  freight,  but  they  considered 
themselves  richly  repaid  for  all  trouble  by  the  gratitude  of  the  poor  fugi- 
tives, and  their  fervent  "  God  bless  you."  On  one  occasion  two  middle- 
aged  men  came  along,  who  were  so  nearly  white  that  they  readily  passed 
for  white  men. 

On  another  occasion  seven  colored  people  were  delivered  in  one  load 
to  the  Deacon.  One,  the  wife  of  a  Methodist  minister  and  a  cripple  from 
rheumatism,  had  to  be  carried. 

Deacon  Smith  had  a  brother,  who  besides  being  a  Democrat  of  the  old 
school  was  an  inveterate  wag.  He  had  his  own  ideas  upon  the  subject, 
and  while  perhaps  condemning  the  system,  believed  in  obeying  the  laws 
of  his  country  as  interpreted  by  the  statutes.  Yet  above  all  political  bias 
he  had  a  heart  that  throbbed  with  the  instincts  of  true  philanthropy  and 
regulated  his  conduct  toward  the  fugitives. 

One  day  a  party  arrived  at  the  Deacon's,  and  William  E.,  who  could 
never  resist  an  opportunity  to  perpetrate  a  practical  joke,  arrayed  him- 
self in  the  traditional  slave  drivers'  costume,  and  entering  the  room 
where  the  chattels  were,  pulled  from  his  pocket  a  formidable  roll  of 
papers  and  began  to  read:  "In  the  name  of  the  people,"  but  before  the 
sentence  was  completed  each  one  had  emptied  himself  or  herself  out  of  the 
windows  and  back  doors  and  were  "streaking  "  it  for  the  corn  field  !  His 
brother  spent  much  of  the  forenoon  hunting  up  the  frightened  negroes. 

On  a  certain  occasion  the  Deacon's  carryall  had  broken  down,  and  as 
a  fresh  invoice  of  chattels  had  arrived  it  was  necessary  to  send  forward 
that  night,  he  hitched  on  to  a  rusty  vehicle  belonging  to  his  Democratic 
brother  without  asking  any  questions.  When  the  latter  found  it  out  his 
wrath  at  the  wagon  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  relieved  his  loyal  feelings  by 
then  and  there  smashing  it  into  kindling  wood,  saying  as  he  did  so,  it 
should  never  carry  niggers  again. 

A  SCOTCHWOMAN'S  VIEW  OF  IT. 

At  an  early  day  the  Presbyterians  held  meetings  at  Archie  Riddle's 
barn,  and  occasionally  at  the  old  log  school  house.  The  dominie  had 
grown  old  and  tedious  and  his  sermons  were  long  and  dull.  On  one  occa- 
sion one  of  his  flock  known  as  "Geordie,"  had  listened  to  this  style  of 
preaching  until  his  patience  was  exhausted  and  as  the  parson,  warming  to 


514  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

the  work,  had  reached  his  sixteenthly  and  cleared  his  throat  for  another 
long  pull,  the  dissatisfied  member  arose  and  remarked  with  characteristic 
Scottish  accent :  "It  is  better  to  be  gospel  hungry  than  gospel  weaiy,"  strode 
out  of  the  congregation.  Not  long  after  the  absent  brother  joined  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  was  duly  initiated  into  that  Society.  An  old  Scotch 
woman  hearing  of  the  event  drawled  out:  "An'  noo  there's  auld  Geordie, 
he's  jined  anither  kirk  and  been  took  doun  to  the  burn  an'  had  a'  his 
sins  swashed  awa'." 

TWO    PATRIOTIC    CITIZENS. 

When  our  liberties  were  in  danger  and  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union 
demanded  the  sacrifice  of  her  bravest  and  best,  La  Prairie  contributed  her 
full  quota.  Melchi  Grove  sent  three  stalwart  sons,  and  when  the  call 
came  for  six  hundred  thousand  more,  though  too  old  to  endure  the  hard- 
ships of  a  campaign,  he  felt  himself  young  enough  to  stop  a  bullet  and 
save  another's  life,  perchance  for  his  country,  so  leaving  his  plow  in  the 
furrow  and  the  farm  to  the  care  of  those  too  young  to  fight  he  shouldered 
a  musket  and  went  into  the  fray.  And  so  did  his  neighbor,  E.  S.  Jones, 
the  hero  of  two  wars.  Brave  and  patriotic  men!  To  such  as  them  we 
owe  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  their  deeds  shall  not  be  forgotten. 

A    FATAL    ACCIDENT. 

In  1835  a  man  named  John  Kirkpatrick  met  his  death  in  a  horrible 
manner  near  Drake's  Grove.  He  was  mounted  on  a  spirited  horse  and 
had  shot  a  deer,  and  dismounting  to  cut  its  throat,  he  fastened  the  reins 
around  his  wrist.  The  smell  of  the  blood  and  sight  of  the  dead  animal 
frightened  the  horse,  which  giving  a  sudden  jump  threw  down  its  master, 
and  started  to  run,  kicking  viciously  until  the  man  was  dead  and  all  sem- 
blance of  humanity  gone.  The  horse  ran  until  tired  out,  dragging  the 
dead  man  by  its  side,  and  was  discovered  the  next  day,  still  fastened  to  its 
unnatural  burden. 


INCIDENTS. 

Although  prairie  fires  were  numerous  and  destructive  it  was  seldom  or 
never  they  were  fatal  to  citizens  or  travelers.  They  raged  in  certain  local- 
ities with  incredible  fury,  but  on  high  lands  the  grass  was  shorter  and  it 


INCIDENTS    AND    MISCELLANEOUS   ITEMS.  515 

burned  slowly  and  feebly.  A  person  not  knowing  this  might  get  caught 
and  be  in  considerable  danger,  as  was  the  case  with  Adam  Crawford,  who 
came  to  the  County  in  1854,  and  had  occasion  to  go  to  Spoon  River  for  a 
load  of 'coal.  The  track  ran  across  the  prairie,  and  it  was  in  the  fall  when 
everything  was  dry  as  tinder.  Returning  with  his  load,  he  saw  ahead  an 
advancing  line  of  fire,  through  which  his  road  lay,  and  knowing  no  way 
of  avoiding  it  he  pushed  on,  meeting  it  in  a  low  valley,  where  the  grass 
had  grown  with  unusual  rankness.  A  fierce  wind  was  blowing,  and  an 
advancing  wave  of  flame  struck  his  horses,  which  dropped  to  the  ground 
as  though  they  had  been  shot.  A  woolen  blanket  partially  shielded  his 
face  and  prevented  his  inhaling  the  fierce  flames,  which  only  lasted  but  an 
instant  and  passed  on.  After  a  while  his  horses  were  persuaded  to  get 
up  and  he  reached  home,  but  the  driver  was  considerably  burned,  the  hair 
was  nearly  singed  off  from  his  horses  and  great  pieces  of  skin  came  off 
before  they  recovered.  Had  Mr.  C..  remained  on  the  high  ground  until  the 
fiery  cyclone  swept  by  no  harm  or  danger  would  have  resulted. 

During  the  absence  of  the  men  in  the  ill-starred  Stillman  expedition, 
the  women  went  to  Reed's  fort.  The  days  and  nights  were  passed  in 
gloomy  forebodings  by  the  inmates,  none  of  whom  but  had  some  near  and 
dear  relative  among  the  Rangers.  In  these  days  there  were  no  telegraphs, 
and  the  mails  only  came  semi-occasionally.  About  a  week  after  the  dis- 
aster to  Stillman's  command,  news  came  to  the  fort  that  nearly  every  man 
of  the  force  had  been  killed  or  captured  by  the  Indians.  This  was  agony 
and  suspense  almost  beyond  endurance  for  the  poor  women.  Who  had 
been  killed  ?  Who  had  been  made  prisoners  and  suffered  the  fiendish  tor- 
tures which  only  Indian  devils  incarnate  knew  how  to  inflict?  These 
were  the  soul-harrowing  questions  that  drove  the  women  almost  to  mad- 
ness. In  about  ten  days,  Mr.  Jones,  reported  killed,  walked  in  to  the 
camp  alive  and  well,  to  the  joy  of  every  one,  as  he  brought  good  news  for 
all  his  friends,  and  while  his  wife  cried  for  joy,  Jones  observed,  "  Its  all 
right,  my  dear ;  you  must  learn  not  to  believe  all  the  foolish  yarns  people 
may  start  about  me!"  "You  see  I'm  here,  alive  and  well;  and  the  man 
who  says  I've  been  killed  and  scalped,  I  wouldn't  believe  under  oath !" 

In  1837  a  stranger  named  Lawrence  came  from  Boston  to  view  the 
country  and  to  hunt  and  fish.  He  went  out  in  a  boat  on  Senachwine 
Creek,  when  that  stream  was  high,  accompanied  by  his  dog.  The  boat 


516  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

was  a  dugout,  a  most  treacherous  craft  and  wholly  unmanageable  save  by 
an  expert.  Getting  within  shooting  distance  of  some  ducks,he  was  taking 
aim.  when  the  dog  suddenly  jumped  up  throwing  his  weight  upon  one 
side  of  the  boat  and  upsetting  it.  The  man  was  drowned  although  the 
whole  occurrence  was  in  plain  sight  of  his  distressed  companions,  who, 
powerless  to  save,  gazed  helplessly  and  horror  stricken  upon  his  struggles. 

In  1852  a  party  of  gentlemen  from  Peoria  were  out  in  the  edge  of 
Marshall  and  Stark  counties  hunting  deer  and  prairie  chickens.  There 
had  fallen  a  considerable  snow  during  the  previous  night  which  had  drifted. 
It  was  late  in  the  season,  and  though  not  thawing  the  sun  shone  with  un- 
usual brilliancy  and  its  dazzling  effects  soon  told  upon  the  eyes  of  the 
hunters.  Of  the  thirteen  men  three  managed  to  get  to  a  house,  while  the 
others,  rendered  .totally  blind,  were  left  perfectly  helpless  in  the  snow,  and 
woiild  have  perished  had  not  relief  come  quickly.  Some  of  them  were 
blind  for  weeks  afterward  and  their  eyes  rendered  permanently  sensitive 
to  brilliant  light. 

In  1861  Nathaniel  Smith's  son,  aged  14  years,  while  out  hunting  prai- 
rie chickens,  in  drawing  a  loaded  gun  from  a  wagon,  discharged  it,  the  shot 
taking  effect  in  his  stomach.  He  was  instantly  killed. 

It  is  said  of  Nathaniel  Smith  that  he  made  the  first  corn  planter  built 
in  the  State.  It  was  invented  by  Job  Brown,  a  citizen  of  the  place.  He 
also  built  the  first  dwelling  in  the  village,  and  it  still  exists. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    SARATOGA    TOWNSHIP. 


517 


SARATOGA  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

ARATOGA  TOWNSHIP  lies  in  the  north-west  corner  of 
Marshall  County,  contains  thirty-six  sections,  and  takes  its 
name,  as  well  as  the  lake  within  its  borders  from  Saratoga, 
in  New  York,  said  to  have  been  suggested  by  Geo.  Scholes, 
an  early  settler  within  its  boundaries.  It  has  a  rich  soil  of 
dark  loam  upon  the  prairies,  with  alluvial  deposits  on  the 
bottoms,  and  brings  forth  heavy  crops  to  reward  "the  hus- 
bandman. Senachwine  Creek,  with  numerous  tributary  riv- 
ulets runs  through  its  borders,  irrigating  the  land  and  making  it  valuable 
for  stock  growing  and  agricultural  pursuits.  Although  comparatively 
new,  it  contains  a  great  deal  of  wealth,  and  is  settled  by  an  unusually 
intelligent  class  of  citizens.  Along  its  northern  border  lies  the  body  of 
water  before  referred  to,  occupying  the  highest  ground  in  the  Township 
and  fed  exclusively  by  springs.  It  was  long  a  noted  resort  for  migratory 
aquatic  birds,  and  a  paradise  for  hunters,  until  systematic  draining  reduced 
its  borders  and  decreased  its  depth. 

In  1879  owners  of  the  adjoining  lands  combined,  and  digging  a  canal 
for  some  distance,  led  off  its  surplus  waters,  and  it  now  promises  to 
become  the  most  productive  part  of  the  Township.  Saratoga  is  peopled  by 
an  energetic  community,  who  pride  themselves  on  their  good  buildings, 
well  fed  stock  and  nicely  trimmed  hedges.  Especially  is  it  productive  of 
"  hogs  and  corn,"  in  which  its  wealth  mainly  lies.  The  rapid  settlement 
of  the  Township  and  its  equally  rapid  development  are  one  of  the  many 
marvels  of  our  rich  and  fertile  State. 

FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  first  house  erected  in  the  Township  was  by  Malachi  Hill  in  about 
1836.  It  stood  on  Section  27,  by  the  side  of  the  old  Galena  road,  on 


518  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Senachwine  Creek,  near  where  a  bridge  spanned  that  stream.  The  stages 
ran  past  here  several  years.  The  farm  was  sold  to  George  Scholes  in 
1849. 

The  first  settler  on  the  north  side  of  the  Township  is  believed  to  have 
been  a  man  named  Ford,  who  made  some  improvement  on  Section  2,  on 
land  since  owned  by  the  widow  of  J.  Cooney,  in  about  1840. 

The  next  place  opened  was  near  by,  on  Section  3,  now  the  property  of 
J.  D.  Hatfield. 

Next  in  order  came  Jonathan  Day's  farm,  on  Section  3,  about  1845. 

J.  and  S.  Divilbliss  came  in  1849  or  '50,  settling  on  Section  24,  at  the 
east  line  of  the  Township. 

William  D.  Louder  improved  the  south-west  quartet  of  Section  22  in 
1850. 

Archibald  McVicker  and  his  son  David  improved  the  south  half  of 
Section  14  in  1851. 

The  school  section  (16)  was  improved  by  Mr.  Stout,  Stephen  Fiy  and 
Arch.  H.  Elson. 

John  C.  Townsend,  Isaac  Torrey  and  Peter  Smith  came  on  the  same 
Section  about  1856. 

S.  Cartmell  made  his  farm  on  Section  10,  and  Richard  Tyrrell  on  Sec- 
tion 3  between  1853  and  '55. 

Thomas  Jameson  bought  an  improved  place  from  J.  Clark  on  the  now 
Hatfield  farm,  about  1851. 

The  settlers  who  came  into  the  west  side  of  the  Township  were  John 
Boland,  who  located  about  1852,  near  his  brother,  G.  Boland,  who  sub- 
sequently sold  to  Lombard. 

All  the  west  side  of  the  Township  was  then  Congress  land  and  un- 
entered. 

Artemas  Whitman,  in  1852  or  '53,  improved  near  Andrew  Kline's,  on 
Section  18,  and  George  W.  Kline  on  Section  27. 

John  McNamara  commenced  his  labors  on  Section  15  in  1854,  and 
Patrick  about  the  same  date. 

O.  Martland,  afterward  of  Lacon,  lived  on  Section  15,  near  the  School 
Section,  in  1853,  and  Mason  Seelye  opened  a  farm  on  the  same  Section 
about  the  same  time. 

C.  Camery  stuck  his  stakes  on  the  north-west  quarter  of  Section  14, 
in  1854. 

James  Carse  on  Section  11,  in  1853, 


EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    SARATOGA    TOWNSHIP.  519 

Miner  T.  Jay  on  Section  28,  and  William  Letton  near  the  former, 
both  in  1852. 

Hugh  McVicker  arrived  here  in  1854. 

P.  Deyo  opened  a  farm  on  Section  6  about  1855. 

B.  L.  Lombard  and  F.  Bovinger's  places  were  improved  by  J.  and  G. 
Boland. 

A.  Seichter  bought  his  farm,  on  Section  2,  from  Mr.  Carse. 

J.  and  R.  Hallock  came  here  in  1859,  and  improved  part  of  Section  5. 
W.  Schofield  opened  his  place,  on  Section- 6,  in  1858-9. 

William    Owens    improved    Section    7  about    1860. 

B.  G.  Howes,                "               "         7  "      1855. 
J.  H.  Merrill,                "               "         8  "      1854. 
J.  E.  Noyes,                  "               "         8  "      1852. 
G.  T.  Coleman,             "               "       10  "      1857. 
H.  Hulce,                     "               "       10  "      1857. 
D.  D.  Bond,                  "               "       15  "      1854. 
F.  and  D.  Yaeger,         "                "       11  "      1860. 

C.  Huffman,                  "                "       12  "      1857. 
F.  J.  Higgins,              "              "       12  "      1860. 
M.  Hartley,                   "                "       12  "      1860. 
R.  and  D.  McDonough,                "         9  "      1855. 
William  Jones,             "                "       21  "      1853. 
R.  Harrison,                  "                "         8  "      1854. 
Josh.  Castle,                 "               "17  "    •  1855. 
J.  S.  Essex,                   "                "       16  "      1854-5. 
J.  Buchanan,                 "                "13  "      1857-8. 
J.  Greenlee,                   "                "       14  "      1858. 
W.  Lawless,                 "               "       20  "      1855. 

D.  Holmes,                    "               "       24  "      1855. 
Fred.  Reinback,            "                "       24  "      1855. 
M.  P.  Sims,                    "                "       20  "      1855. 
P.  Lawless,                    "                "       29  "      1855. 
A.  P.  Webber,              "                        28  "      1855. 
Thomas  Doyle,              "                        27  "      1856. 
Joseph  Ray,                   "                "       26  "      1855-6. 
H.  G.  Breese,                 "                "       25  "      1855-6. 
James  Beaks,                 "                "       25  "      1855. 

J.  H.  Bell,                    "               "       25  "      1860. 


520  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

The  farm  of  the  latter  was  improved  by  Thomas  Henderson,  in  1855. 
Julia  Jacobs  improved  Section   26   about  1855.     She  was  formerly 
Mrs.  Martin,  and  her  husband  run  the  ferry  at  Lacon  many  years  ago. 
J.    G.     Carson     improved   Section   34    about   1857-8. 
H.  R.  Trim,  "  «       34         "      1856-7. 

William  M.  Eickey      "  "       36         "      1855. 

William  Marshall,        "  "       35         "      1860. 

The  latter's  farm  was  previously  improved  by  James  Gordon,  in  1852. 

PATRIOTISM. 

Saratoga  has  a  war  record  few  townships  equal.  Her  brave  sons 
freely  volunteered,  and  their  blood  was  poured  out  on  many  a  Southern 
battle-field.  Among  those  deserving  of  mention  are  J.  C.  Town- 
send,  who,  enlisting  as  a  private,  returned  a  Captain.  His  son,  who 
likewise  began  a  private,  was  promoted  to  a  Captaincy.  Major  Town- 
send's  company  was  attached  to  the  Forty-Seventh  Regiment,  and  was 
mainly  recruited  in  the  Township.  Another  brave  soldier  was  Royal 
Olmstead,  who  won  the  rank  of  Major  by  good  conduct  in  the  field. 
Alanson  P.  Webber  was  chief  musician  of  the  Eighty-Sixth  Illinois  In- 
fantry, and  a  noted  sharp-shooter,  doing  valuable  service.  He  still  retains 
the  gun  which  he  carried, —  a  sixteen-shooter  repeating  rifle. 

A    MIRAGE. 

In  the  autumn  of  1844  a  traveler  crossing  the  Saratoga  prairie  ob- 
served a  sight  occasionally  seen  in  other  lands,  but  very  unusual  here. 
He  was  several  miles  from  the  river,  yet  before  him  laid  out  as  in  a  pan- 
orama was  extended  a  plain  view  of  the  river  seemingly  but  a  few  rods 
away.  The  indentations  of  the  bluffs;  the  windings  of  the  river;  the 
islands,  ponds,  and  familiar  points  of  land,  trees,  etc.,  were  reproduced 
with  the  most  faithful  accuracy.  On  the  hills,  cattle  were  grazing,  a 
steamboat  was  passing  up  the  stream,  and  half  a  dozen  fishermen  were 
landing  a  net.  Seemingly  lie  was  near  enough  to  converse,  yet  it  was  all 
a  trick  of  the  eye, — an  optical  illusion  or  mirage,  in  which  the  scenes  rep- 
resented were  reproduced  in  the  clouds. 


A  town  was  laid  out  on  Section  16,  and  named  Centreville.     Sixty- 


THE   PROJECTED    TOWN   OF   CENTREVILLE. 


521 


four  town  lots  were  laid  out,  and  streets  with  noble  names  ran  through 
the  place.  The  proprietors  were  Isaac  Torrey  and  Samuel  Divelbliss,  but 
the  place  never  "achieved  greatness  nor  had  greatness  thrust  upon  it," 
and  after  patiently  waiting  for  purchasers,  the  owners  pulled  up  stakes 
and  turned  it  into  a  farm. 


522  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


WHITEFIELD  TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

DESCRIPTION. 

>HIS  Township  was  named  complimentary  to  John  B.  White 
its  first  Supervisor  and  a  prominent  public  citizen.  It  is 
the  usual  Congressional  size,  made  up  of  timber  and  prairie, 
well  watered  and  fertile.  On  the  East  it  borders  on  the 
river,  and  the  surface  is  broken  and  hilly,  with  frequent 
ravines  extending  inland,  running  into  broad,  level  prairies 
covered  with  farms  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  The 
ravines  are  covered  with  dense  thickets,  which  in  early 
times  afforded  protection  to  freebooters,  but  now  they  resound  only  to 
the  woodman's  ax  or  the  hunters's  rifle. 

There  is  no  village  within  its  borders,  no  costly  churches  or  school 
houses.  Its  products  are  mainly  agricultural  and  its  citizens  tillers  of  the 
soil.  In  wealth  and  productiveness  it  compares  favorably  with  all  others, 
and  in  intelligence  and  industry  it  is  not  excelled. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  Township  are  supposed  to  have  been  two 
brothers  named  Reeves,  who  removed  here  from  Putnam  County  not  long 
after  the  Black  Hawk  war.  They  did  not  long  remain,  transferring  their 
claim  to  their  brother  George,  whose  after  exploits  made  his  name  noto- 
rious, and  whose  memory  is  preserved  in  the  creek  that  bears  his  name. 
His  history  is  given  elsewhere. 

The  patriarch  of  the  Township  was  Warford  Bonham,  Si1.,  known  far 
and  near  as  Father  Bonham,  who  came  in  1835.  He  brought  with  him  a 
large  family,  consisting  of  his  daughters  Mahala  and  Eliza,  wedded  to 
James  Tanquary  and  John  S.  Hoskins ;  'George,  who  afterward  moved 
to  Chicago;  Jeriah,  now  living  at  Peoria;  William,  at  Sparland;  Warford 
Jr.,  living  under  the  bluffs  near  the  old  homestead;  Mary  Ann,  married  to 
Hemy  Hoskins;  Clayton,  who  died  in  1870;  Hanson  D.,  who  occupies  the 
old  home  farm,  and  Emily,  deceased. 

Mr.   Bonham   was  originally  from  Ohio,   coming  to  Tazewell  about 


EAELY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    DOINGS.  523 

1833  or  1834,  remaining  there  until  his  removal  to  Mai-shall  County  in 
1835.  With  his  sons-in-law  Hoskins  and  Tanquary  he  visited  the  County 
the  winter  previous  to  their  coming,  each  selecting  a  claim  and  building 
cabins  of  the  orthodox  stick  and  mud  chimney  pattern. 

The  place  selected  by  Mr.  Bonham  was  a  fertile  plain  at  the  foot  of 
the  bluff,  three  miles  north  of  the  Lacon  ferry.  Between  it  and  the  liver 
is  a  fine  belt  «f  timber,  and  in  the  rear  are  the  picturesque  bluffs  of  the 
Illinois,  while  the  laud  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  raising  fruits,  vegetables 
and  grain  of  all  kinds.  Here  are  the  ruins  of  the  old  homestead,  and  near 
by  is  the  family  grave  yard,  where  the  "aged  fathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep." 
Father  Bonham  lived  to  see  his  sons  grow  to  manhood  and  his  daughters 
comfortably  settled  around  him,  and  died  July  22,  1869,  at  the  ripe  age 
of  eighty-eight.  His  wife  preceded  him  some  eleven  years.  His  family 
connections  were  very  large,  and  few  men  are  so  honored  through  their 
descendants  as  him. 

The  next  comer  was  a  man  named  Hatfiald,  who  made  a  claim  above 

•  7 

Bonham's,  which  he  soon  after  abandoned  and  left.  It  is  now  a  part  of 
H.  D.  Bonham's  farm. 

Jeriah  Bonham  made  a  claim  on  the  bluffs  in  an  early  day,  which  he 
sold  to  a  man  named  Gentz,  and  the  latter  transferred  it  to  Wai-ford  Bon- 
ham. This  was  in  1839. 

In  1837  or  38  George  Reeves  made  a  claim  on  the  Danley  farm,  selling 
it  to  Mr.  Danley,  who  became  a  probable  settler  here  in  1842. 

In  1836  or  '37  a  man  named  Thenius  built  a  cabin  in  the  hollow  north 
of  Sparland,  which  has  since  borne  his  name.  For  some  time  he  lived  in 
a  cabin  built  by  old  Reeves.  Two  of  Mr.  Thenius'  daughters  are  married 
and  live  in  Lacon. 

About  1840  a  man  named  Hale  made  a  claim  and  put  up  a  sod  house 
on  the  farm  since  owned  by  Elnathan  Platter. 

North  of  Hale's  a  German  named  Andrew  Shurtz  opened  and  im- 
proved a  large  farm,  and  a  German  named  Jacob  Amnaus  settled  near  by 
in  1842. 

About  1847  Charles  and  Lucas  Martin  bought  the  Hall  claim  and  put 
up  a  good  log  house  thereon. 

Rezen  Nighswonger  settled  in  1847,  on  the  west  side  of  Thenius  Creek. 
He  afterward  sold  to  John  Betts  and  three  years  ago  went  to  Iowa. 

Solomon  Nighswonger  came  in  1851  and  settled  on  the  north  side  of 
Thenius  Creek  and  made  a  good  farm. 


524  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

Albert,  George  and  Charles  Wineberger  settled  next,  south  of  W. 
Bonhani,  Jr.'s  in  1848.  They  afterward  sold  to  Pat  Monahan,  who  still 
lives  upon  the  place. 

Elnathan  Platter  made  his  farm  on  the  prairie  west  of  Bonham's  about 
1846. 

Harvey  B.  Allen  began  improvements  on  a  farm  south  of  the  Platter 
place  in  the  same  year. 

Dan  Deihl  came  West  with  the  Platters,  about  1848. 

The  Combs  family  came  about  the  same  time,  locating  south  of  Deihl, 
and  Stephen  Merritt  located  west  of  Combs. 

The  next  house  toward  Senachwine  Creek  was  built  and  occupied  by  a 
man  named  King. 

Near  the  Henry  line  a  man  named  Blossom  located  somewhere  about 
1840,  close  to  the  Culvers. 

George  Bonham  settled  on  the  bottom  north  of  the  old  homestead  in 
1840,  on  the  -place  now  owned  by  Theodore  Bickerman. 

Adam  Bickennan's  place  is  north  of  Danley's  place,  and  was  improved 
by  Mr.  B.  in  1847. 

Ephraim  Hoyt  settled  north  of  the  above  at  an  early  day,  about  1838 
or  '39. 

In  the  same  year  Henry  Snyder  improved  his  place  on  the  borders  of 
the  two  towns. 

A  man  named  Kellogg  came  here  in  1839  or  '40,  and  located  near  the 
Henry  line. 

Captain  Andrews  settled  west  of  the  above  at  a  later  date. 

Lewis  and  Edward  Burson  came  here  about  1849. 

Esquire  Holly  located  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  Township  and 
began  improvements  about  1854. 

Esquire  C.  W.  Barnes  came  from  Massachusetts  to  Illinois  in  183(1, 
and  stopped  for  a  while  at  Florid,  Putnam  County.  In  the  following 
spring  he  removed  to  Sandy  Creek,  in  Evans  Township,  and  remained 
there  until  July,  1872,  when  he  changed  his  location  to  Whitefield,  on 
the  north  side  of  what  is  called  Reeves'  Hun,  near  the  head  of  that  stream 
on  the  edge  of  the  beautiful  prairie  of  the  section,  about  equal  distance 
from  Sparland  and  Henry. 

His  neighbor  in  this  part  of  the  Township  was  Richard  Hunt,  who 
had  settled  a  few  months  previous  on  Section  15,  coming  hither  from  Ox 
Bow  Prairie,  Putnam  County. 


EARLY  SETTLERS — RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES.  525 

Elias  Thompson  lived  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Hunt's,  on  the 
bluff.  He  had  moved  out  from  Henry  a  couple  of  years  previous,  having 
been  a  hotel  keeper  in  that  village. 

William  Rowe  lived  under  the  bluff,  east  of  and  not  far  from  Thomp- 
son, having  settled  there  at  a  still  earlier  day. 

Lucian  B.  Hall  and  Samuel  B.  Fanning,  a  bachelor  and  brother-in-law 
of  Hall,  lived  together  in  a  sod  house  on  the  present  Kifer  farm,  in  1840 
or  '41. 

George  Burt,  Sr.,  and  Horace  Spencer  came  and  settled  near  Sugar 
Grove  in  1844  or  1845.  Sugar  Grove  is  on  Section  11,  at  the  head  of  a 
small  stream  connecting  with  Crow  Creek.  It  contains  from  320  to  400 
acres  and  is  three  and  a-half  miles  west  of  Henry. 

Hiram  Blossom  lived  on  Section  1,  coming  here  about  1842. 

David  Fanning  also  settled  near  the  Grove.  His  place  afterward 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Clarence  Burt. 

Among  the  latter  settlers  of  the  Township  were  Mr.  Smith,  oh  "The 
Ridge;"  Mr.  Gaston,  Mr.  Ray,  Adam  Faris,  Jacob  Platter,  E.  Stewart, 
John  Dunlap,  P.  Hale,  and  the  Gregorys. 

Samuel  F.  Coleman  is  supposed  to  have  come  about  1841. 

Richard  Hunt  and  wife,  formerly  a  Miss  Horram,  came  to  Whitefield 
in  1842.  They  were  married  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie,  January  1,  1833,  and 
lived  a  while  on  Sandy  Creek,  removing  thence  to  Hennepin  and  after- 
ward coming  to  their  new  home,  now  one  of  the  finest  in  this  Township. 

Abijah  Lyons  came  to  the  Prairie  some  years  before.  He  was  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  this  part  of  the  Township. 

Two  families  named  Carmichael  settled  at  Whitefield  Corners,  in  the 
north-western  limits  of  the  town,  coming  there  about  1841. 

A  Mr.  Underwood  lived  near  Hickory  Creek,  coming  there  nearly  the 
same  date. 

These  comprise  the  names  of  most  of  the  settlers  during  the  first  few 
years,  aside  from  the  disreputable  gang  connected  with  the  Reeves  family, 
but  the  time  of  arrivals  cannot  be  given  with  accuracy,  and,  of  course,  is 
only  approximately  correct. 


RELIGIOUS. 

Long  before  any  chxirches  had  been  built  in  this  Township  the  people 
occasionally  had  meetings  at  the  house  of  Warford  Bonham,  Sr.     His 


526  RECORDS   Of   THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

family  belonged  to  the  Christian  Church ;  but  some  of  his  neighbors  were 
Methodists,  and  neither  being  able  to  muster  a  respectable  congregation, 
they  united,  securing  the  services  of  such  preachers  as  could  be  induced  to 
venture  into  the  wilderness,  without  regard  to  denominational  belief. 

Henry  L.  Crane,  of  Lacon,  occasionally  visited  this  settlement,  and 
invariably  received  a  cordial  welcome. 

Daniel  McRobinson  and  "old  Father  Palmer,"  the  former  a  Methodist 
and  the  latter  a  Christian,  were  also  frequent  and  ever  welcome  visitors. 

THE    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

At  the  head  of  Thenius'  Creek  steps  were  early  taken  to  organize  a 
Baptist  Church.  October  12,  1854,  a  number  of  persons  holding  to  the 
tenets  of  that  denomination  gathered  at  the  school  house  to  consult  upon 
the  propriety  of  establishing  a  Society,  upon  which  occasion  it  was  agreed 
to  organize  a  church  based  upon  the  articles  of  faith  set  forth  in  the 
"Encyclopedia  of  Religious  Knowledge,"  and  an  ecclesiastical  council  was 
called  to  meet  November  9th,  Solomon  Nighswonger  being  appointed  to 
answer  the  questions  of  the  council.  At  the  appointed  time  the  council 
met,  and  organized  by  electing  Elder  B.  H.  Weston  moderator,  and  after 
due  deliberation  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  of  Whiten" eld  was  duly 
declared  established. 

A  sermon  was  delivered  at  this  meeting  by  Elder  H.  G.  Weston,  of 
Peoria. 

Elder  W.  G.  Gordon  was  chosen  as  their  first  pastor,  and  a  subscrip- 
tion was  started  to  raise  funds  for  the  support  of  the  preacher. 

July  14,  1855,  an  effort  was  made  to  unite  with  the  Baptist  Society 
in  the  neighboring  town  of  Steuben,  with  a  view  to  building  a  church 
edifice  for  the  accommodation  of  both,  but  after  several  ineffectual  efforts 
the  project  failed. 

Elder  Gordon  remained  pastor  of  the  Church  from  the  start,  holding 
meetings  at  the  school  house  at  the  head  of  Thenius  Creek  until  February, 
1862,  when  the  congregation,  having  outgrown  its  narrow  limits,  the 
question  of  constructing  an  edifice  of  their  own  was  broached.  Mr.  E. 
Burson  tendered  the  Society  a  nicely  located  piece  of  ground,  which  was 
accepted,  and  the  people  enthusiastically  voted  to  put  up  a  house  of  wor- 
ship, but  the  necessary  funds  were  not  so  enthusiastically  forthcoming, 
and  the  project  failed. 


CHURCHES    Of    WHlTEFIElD    TOWNSHIP.  527 

A  call  was  extended  to  Brother  Carnes  to  become  their  pastor,  but  he 
failing  to  respond,  Elder  orordon  remained  until  June  7th  of  that  year, 
when,  weary  of  his  long  service,  he  asked  to  be  relieved. 

March  26,  1864,  the  question  of  building  a  house  of  worship  was 
renewed,  and  on  this  occasion  with  more  success.  The  same  site  was 
agreed  upon  as  before,  and  the  work  pushed  forward  with  surprising 
vigor,  so  that  we  find  them  dedicating  their  new  meeting  house  October 
23,  1864.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  capable  of  seating  about  300  people, 
neatly  finished  and  comfortable,  but  not  especially  attractive  in  the  exter- 
ior. It  cost  about  $2,200. 

Brother  Hoyle  preached  in'  1865,  for  a  salary  of  $650  per  annum. 
Since  then  Brothers  Stoddard,  William  Parker  and  others  have  officiated 
at  the  sacred  desk.  The  membership  of  the  church  is  not  numerous,  but 
is  made  up  from  among  the  wealthiest,  oldest  and  most  respectable  people 
of  this  region. 

A  good  Sabbath  School  has  for  years  been  maintained  in  connection 
with  the  church. 

THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

May  16,  1854,  the  Rev.  John  Turbit,  Robert  Faris  and  William  P. 
Carson,  members  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Peoria 
to  organize  a  church  in  Whitefield  Township,  met  agreeably  in  a  school 
house  one  and  three-fourth  miles  noth-west  of  Hosic's  farm.  A  sermon 
was  preached,  after  which  the  organization  of  Mansfield  Church  was 
effected. 

June  1,  1855,  a  public  sessions  was  held,  at  which  a  number  joined  by 
card  and  certificate,  materially  strengthening  the  organization. 

The  organization  continued  to  hold  services  at  the  different  school 
houses  in  the  vicinity  as  circumstances  permitted,  running  along  smoothly 
enough  until  in  March,  1857,  when  a  business  meeting  was  held  to  devise 
measures  for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship.  At  this  meeting  con- 
siderable ill-feeling  was  developed,  chiefly  upon  the  question  of  location. 
A  prominent  member,  and  one  who  by  reason  of  his  wealth  and  position 
was  expected  to  contribute  liberally  to  the  enterprise,  was  consulted, 
but  his  preferences  as  to  location  were  ignored  by  the  majority,  where- 
upon he  became  exceeding  wroth,  expressing  himself  with  much  greater 
force  than  elegance.  In  fact,  to  fully  ventilate  his  feelings  and  express 
his  contempt,  he  found  it  necessary  to  employ  numerous  "cuss  words," 


528  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

consigning  the  unreasonable  majority  to  a  mythical  locality  more  noted  for 
warmth  than  piety. 

For  this  little  breach  of  decorum  he  was  promptly  suspended. 
Notwithstanding  his  defection,  however,  and  the  ill-feeling  engendered  in 
consequence,  the  church  edifice  was  finally  built,  the  site  being  upon  land 
donated  by  W.  H.  Brassfield.  It  is  of  brick,  about  40x70  feet,  is  a  neat 
and  comfortable  structure,  and  cost  about  $2,000.  It  was  dedicated 
November  21,  1858,  by  Rev.  R  P.  Faris,  of  Peoria. 

The  leading  ministers  since  have  been  Rev.  T.  T.  Smith,  first  stated 
preacher,  Rev.  William  B.  Faris,  James  Fleming  and  J.  S.  McClung. 

Near  the  Church  is  a  cemetery,  which  contains  the  remains  of  a  num- 
ber of  the  early  members  and  their  children,  but  as  the  location  is  not  a 
good  one  the  people  of  late  years  have  preferred  to  bury  their  dead  else- 
where. 

The  first  Sabbath  School  was  established  September  1,  1867.  It  is 
well  conducted  and  largely  attended  by  the  youth  of  the  neighborhood. 

CENTRAL    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

This  church  is  a  neat  and  tastefully  finished  frame  building,  32x40 
feet,  with  a  very  respectable  height  of  ceiling.  The  interior  is  very  nicely 
furnished  and  elegant  in  its  ornamentations  and  decorations.  It  stands  on 
a  high  piece  of  ground,  fronting  the  west,  and  can  be  seen  for  miles  from 
each  direction. 

THE    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

This  religious  organization  was  created  in  about  1853.  There  are  no 
consecutively  kept  records,  or  at  least  we  have  been  unable  to  find  any, 
and  consequently  our  information  is  wholly  derived  from  the  recollections 
of  the  older  members  of  the  Society. 

At  first  services  were  confined  to  occasional  meetings  at  the  school 
house  near  B  arsons  or  at  the  house  of  some  brother,  but  in  time  the  neces- 
sity of  a  house  for  worship  became  imperative,  and  in  1864  a  frame  meet- 
ing house,  30x40,  was  built.  It  is  not  an  imposing  structure,  but  is  com- 
fortably seated  and  sufficiently  large  for  the  needs  of  the  congregation. 

In  the  rear,  on,  the  same  lot  is  the  burying  ground  of  the  congrega- 
tion, in  which  a  number  of  pretty  slabs  and  neat  monuments  evidence  a 
loving  remembrance  of  those  who  lie  beneath. 


EARLY    SCHOOLS    OF    THE    TOWNSHIP.  531 

The  church  cost  about  $2,000,   and  occupies  a  delightful  location. 

Among  the  different  ministers  who  have  officiated  here  since  the 
formation  of  the  Society  may  be  named  Rev.  Mr.  Phelps,  who  came  here 
in  1861.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Green,  Rev.  Mr.  Reeves,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  the  present  pastor. 


SCHOOLS. 

The  first  building  in  the  Township  for  school  purposes  was  built  on 
the  edge  of  the  Prairie,  east  of  Richard  Hunt's  farm,  about  the  year  1844. 
It  was  made  of  logs  after  the  manner  of  those  days,  and  was  about  four- 
teen feet  square,  with  one  door  and  a  single  window,  while  the  chimney- 
place  was  so  large  that  the  school  marm  and  all  her  pupils  could  have 
hidden  therein.  Elizabeth  Simpson  was  probably  the  first  teacher,  hold- 
ing forth  there  in  1847  or  1848.  Her  pupils,  from  four  to  eight  in 
number,  were  quite  young.  She  was  afterward  followed  by  John  Peck, 
Mahlon  Peck,  and  a  Mr.  Miles,  who  taught  the  young  ideas  to  shoot. 
About  fifteen  years  ago  a  new  frame  building  was  put  up,  which  affords 
ample  accommodation  for  the  numerous  little  people  of  the  neighborhood. 

Another  school  was  built  near  the  farm  of  W.  Bonham,  Jr.,  on  the 
edge  of  the  Illinois  River  bluffs.  This  structure  was  put  up  in  1860,  is 
16x26  feet,  and  cost  about  $400.  The  first  teacher  here  was  Miss  Eliza 
Bonham,  a  daughter  of  Jeriah  Bonham,  in  the  summer  of  the  year  named. 

One  of  the  first  schools  on  the  prairie,  was  built  near  the  residence  of 
the  Btirson's,  toward  the  center  of  the  town,  near  the  southern  line  of  this 
and  Steuben  Township.  It  was  erected  about  1856,  and  furnished  room 
for  school,  churches  and  public  meetings  until  1870,  when  a  new  one  was 
built  in  its  place.  It  cost  about  $800  and  stands  near  the  Baptist  Church, 
in  one  of  the  pleasantest  locations  in  this  region. 


REEVES  THE  OUTLAW. 


The  frontier  settlements  of  a  new  country  are  usually  the^resoiis  of 
desperadoes.     The  law  has  fewer  restraints,  and  men  fleeing1  from  the 
consequences  of  crimes  go  Avhere  they  are  unknown  and  unsuspected— 
some  to  grow  up  respectable,  law-abiding  citizens,  oftener  to  ply  their 
nefarious  business  and  prey  upon  society  with  less  fear  of  detection. 


l),)'i  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Among  old  settlers  Geo.  Reeves  possesses  an  unenviable  notoriety  by 
reason  of  his  connection  with  the  well  known  Bandits  of  the  Prairie,  an 
association  of  desperate  men  extending  over  the  then  entire  West.  Pre- 
vious to  his  removal  here  in  1833-4,  he  lived  a  while  in  Senachwine 
Township,  where  his  brothers  had  made  claims,  and  where  so  far  as  known 
];•.'  conducted  himself  in  accordance  with  the  strict  principles  of  justice 
«iid  right.  He  was  a  kind  neighbor,  scrupulously  just  in  his  dealings, 
t.-ver  ready  to  accommodate,  and  kind  in  sickness.  At  this  time  he  was 
about  forty-five  or  fifty  years  of  age,  suave  and  gentlemanly  in  appear- 
ance, seldom  excited  or  thrown  off  his  guard,  and  prompt  to  repair  an  in- 
jury or  accommodate  a  neighbor.  Of  his  previous  history  little  was 
known,  except  that  he  came  of  a  respectable  family  in  North  Carolina, 
where  lie  had  led  a  wild  life  and  was  connected  with  dissolute  fellows  of 
whom  no  good  could  be  said.  A  murder  had  been  committed  by  the 
gang,  and  though  it  could  not  be  proven  that  Reeves  was  directly  impli- 
cated, he  was  detained  in  prison  a  long  time,  and  only  escaped  by  strenu- 
ous exertions  on  the  part  of  his  friends,  and  the  expenditure  of  much 
money.  After  his  liberation  he  started  for  Illinois,  and  is  believed  for 
some  time  to  have  conducted  himself  with  strict  propriety,  but  bad  habits 
are  stronger  than  good  intentions,  and  it  is  probable  his  old  associates 
sought  him  out  in  the  West  and  tempted  him  to  his  downfall. 

The  Reeves  family  consisted  of  himself,  wife,  four  sons  and  one 
daughter,  the  latter  a  young  lady  of  more  accomplishments  than  might  be 
expected  under  the  circumstances  of  her  education.  The  children,  if  we 
may  believe  a  neighbor,  were  systematically  trained  to  steal.  The  old 
lady  claimed  all  the  eggs  about  the  premises  as  her  personal  perquisite, 
and  the  old  man,  under  the  plea  of  wanting  them  for,  his  bitters,  used  to 
hire  his  son  George,  termed  the  "General,"  to  steal  them  from  his 
i:\other.  Sophronia  had  many  friends  in  Henry  and  was  much  thought  .of. 

Mrs.  Reeves  was  a  Dowton,  and  connected  with  the  Harts,  a  disrepu- 
table, thieving  set,  living  in  the  timber  across  from  Henry.  She  was  the 
ruling  spirit  of  the  family,  and  its  evil  genius.  She  encouraged  her  sons  in 
idleness  and  secreted  their  plunder.  It  is  probable  the  point  selected  for 
their  n  3W  home  was  chosen  as  a  safe  retreat  for  the  nefarious  end  in  view. 
It  wa?  far  away  from  the  settlements,  and  situated  in  the  mouth  of  a  deep 
ravin  into  whose  dim  recesses  the  sun  seldom  penetrated.  Its  precip- 
itous les  and  center  were  covered  with  brush,  there  were  lateral  branches 
exten  g  on  either  side,  affording  admirable  chances  for  concealment, 


REEVES    THE    OUTLAW    AND    HIS    GANG.  533 

while  the  main  hollow  opened  on  the  prairie  a  couple  of  miles  or  more 
westward.  Reeves  had  several  cabins  or  outhouses  on  the  premises  fitted 
up  for  lodging  rooms,  and  first  attracted  attention  by  the  frequent  appear- 
ance of  strange  faces  about  his  establishment. 

For  some  time  the  gang  with  which  he  was  connected  worked  secretly 
and  successfully.  Horses  stolen  on  Rock  River  were  brought  here  to  be 
disposed  of,  while  those  stolen  here  were  swiftly  taken  abroad.  By  this 
time  (1842)  the  country  was  rapidly  filling  up,  and  a  long  course  of  suc- 
cessful crime  had  made  the  perpetrators  reckless.  Numerous  burglaries 
and  much  petty  thieving  had  been  going  on,  directly  traceable  to  Reeves' 
son.  Among  others  who  frequented  the  place  were  Burch,  Fox  and 
Long,  the  afterward  murderers  of  Col.  Davenport.  Burch  was  a  desper- 
ado, and  the  hero  of  more  than  one  robbery,  and,  as  is  believed,  murder. 
He  was  the  intimate  friend  of  Cam.  Reeves,  the  eldest  son  of  the  old 
man,  now  blossoming  into  a  first  class  thief  and  desperado.  Himself  and 
associates  were  detected  in  stealing  and  passing  counterfeit  money,  and 
Mrs.  Reeves  had  passed  counterfeit  money  at  the  stores  in  Henry  and 
Lacon,  which  her  husband  redeemed  when  called  upon. 

The  gang  'operated  at  other  places.  Horses  were  stolen  at  Tiskilwa, 
at  Princeton,  Toulon,  and  in  Peoria  County,  and  when  the  perpetrators 
were  caught,  confederates  bailed  them  out  or  aided  their  escape.  A  store 
at  Henuepin  was  broken  into  about  this  time,  and  the  robbery  was  traced 
to  Reeves'  son,  Cameron,  and  a  young  man  named  Allison.  The  parties 
were  arrested  near  Pekin,  and  the  goods  found  in  their  possession,  but 
through  the  aid  of  a  sharp  attorney,  of  Peoria,  they  managed  to  escape. 

Frederick  Rheinbeck's  house  in  Whitefield  was  broken  into,  and  a 
party  stopping  there  robbed  of  cash  and  valuable  papers,  which  circum- 
stance so  wrought  upon  the  community  that  a  spontaneous  and  universal 
determination  was  reached  to  rid  themselves  of  the  presence  of  the  offend- 
ers without  waiting  the  forms  of  law.  At  this  date  it  cannot  be  told  who 
were  mainly  instrumental  in  bringing  the  parties  to  merited  punishment, 
through  Dr.  Swanzy  arid  J.  S.  Taliaferro,  of  Bureau  County,  were  active 
participants.  It  was  one  of  those  risings  when  the  whole  community  was 
ripe  for  action,  and  leaders  were  not  necessary. 

A  committee  was  sent  to. notify  Reeves  and  request  his  attendance  the 
next  day,  at  a  place  on  the  prairie  since  called  Council  Grove,  and  found 
him  conveying  provisions  to  his  son,  known  to  be  hiding  from  the  officers 
in  the  bottoms  above  Henry.  The  old  man  took  the  matter  quietly,  but 


534  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Mrs.  Reeves  raved  like  an  enraged  tigress.  The  next  day  some  300  men 
assembled.  They  came  riding  in  from  twenty  to  thirty  miles  distant 
from  Stark,  Bureau  and  Peoria  Counties,  with  twenty  men  from  the 
vicinity  of  Tiskilwa,  headed  by  Dr.  Swanzy,  determined  to  deal  out  Rock 
River  fare;  in  other  words,  extermination.  Prompt  to  the  time  came 
Reeves  on  horseback,  with  old-fashioned  saddle  bags  packed  as  for  a 
journey. 

The  meeting  was  organized  by  appointing  Hall  S.  Gregory  "to  preside. 
Dr.  Swanzy  led  off  with  a  speech,  in  which  he  recounted  the  crimes  of 
Reeves  and  his  gang,  and  urged  the  extermination  of  the  whole  tribe. 
He  was  seconded  by  his  followers,  with  approving  shouts,  etc. 

Dr.  Boal  replied,  advising  moderation,  and  giving  Reeves  time  to  settle 
up  his  business,  etc.  Several  here  interposed,  asking  if  he  was  prepared 
to  go  Reeves  security  for  good  behavior,  which  he  declined.  The  Doctor 
was  told  to  sit  down. 

Reeves  plead  his  own  case,  appealed  to  those  who  knew  him  best  and 
longest  to  attest  his  uniform  good  conduct,  and  hoped  they  would  not 
condemn  an  innocent  man.  While  the  majority  were  calm  and  deter- 
mined, a  few  made  noisy  demonstrations  of  executing  immediate  justice. 
One  person  whose  own  record  was  none  too  good,  was  quite  conspicuous 
and  anxious  to  hang  the  culprit,  but  Reeves  effectually  settled  him  by 
asking  the  privilege  of  fighting  him,  each  armed  with  rifles,  at  forty 
paces. 

Dr.  Temple,  of  Chillicothe,  replied  to  Dr.  Boal,  advising  a  middle 
course,  and  the  appintnient  of  twelve  persons  to  take  Reeves  in  charge  and 
send  him  and  his  family  out  of  the  country.  A  majority  of  the  company 
endorsed  this  action. 

When  Swanzy  spoke  a  rush  was  made  for  Reeves,  and  he  would 
have  been  shot  down  like  a  dog,  but  the  chairman  shielded  him.  Mrs. 
Reeves  and  children  cried  and  begged  for  mercy.  Reeves  assented  to 
the  decision,  and  when  he  found  his  life  was  to  be  spared,  seemed  the 
happiest  man  there. 

The  party,  led  by  the  committee,  went  to  Reeves'  house,  where  ar- 
rangements decided  on  were  carried  out.  Purchasers  were  found  for  the 
stock,  and  household  property  of  value  was  quickly  loaded  on  to  wagons. 
When  ready  for  a  start,  Mrs.  Reeves  went  to  the  rear  of  the  fire-place, 
and  removing  a  brick,  took  therefrom  a  purse  of  money,  and  secreting  it 
about  her  person,  mounted  the  wagon  with  her  family  and  were  driven 


EYPtTLSION   OF   THE   REEVES   FAMILY.  535 

off.  As  the  last  finale  of  the  tragedy,  a  coal  was  applied  to  the  house 
and  out-buildings,  and  the  burning  ruins  lighted  the  self-appointed  minis- 
ters of  justice  on  their  way. 

The  party  was  conducted  to  the  river  and  kept  under  guard  until  the 
arrival  of  a  steamer  from  above,  when  they  were  placed  on  board  and 
warned  never  to  return  as  they  valued  their  lives.  $ 

Cameron  Reeves  was  captured  that  night  and  placed  in  the  Hen- 
nepin  jail,  but  escaped  and  left  the  country.  The  party  proceeded  down 
the  river,  and  subsequently  went  up  the  Missouri  and  settled  a  mile  and 
a  half  from  Cameron,  where  they  remained  a  short  time  and  then  migrated 
to  Adair  County,  Iowa,  where  tiie  old  man  died  in  1852.  He  became 
nmch  dissipated  in  his  later  days  and  died  in  poverty.  George  Dent 
speaks  of  meeting  him  once  while  passing  through  the  state.  He  came  to 
a  camp  fire  around  which  the  party  was  gathered,  and  when  he  left  a 
particularly  fine  hunting  knife  disappeared  also. 

The  lesson  so  sternly  administered  had  good  results.  Of  the  family 
history  for  some  years  we  have  no  data,  but  the  younger  members  were 
among  the  eai'liest  settlers  of  Omaha,  and  Cameron  Reeves  was  the  first 
Sheriff  of  the  County.  It  is  on  record  that  he  made  a  very  good  officer. 
During  his  term  of  service  three  men  were  taken  by  the  vigilantes  from 
the  jail  and  hung.  He  married  a  very  good  woman,  who  has  raised  a 
respectable  family.  His  two  failings  were  a  love  of  drink  and  women, 
and  he  is  now  living  with  one  not  his  wife  and  principally  supported  by 
her  labor,  having  separated  from  his  lawful  spouse. 

Preston  Jleeves  lives  fifteen  miles  from  Omaha,  wealthy  and  respected 
and  has  raised  a  fine  family.  Jesse,  the  third  son,  died  six  years  ago. 
He  was  well-to-do  and  raised  a  respectable  family,  but-  was  given  to 
drinking.  George,  the  youngest,  died  of  dissipation.  He  was  a  man  of 
bad  repute  and  was  supported  by  a  woman  of  the  town. 

Sophronia  is  wedded  to  A.  D.  Jones,  the  founder  of  Omaha.  He  laid 
out  the  town  and  was  its  first  postmaster.  She  is  wealthy  and  respected, 
and  moves  in  the  first  society.  Mrs.  Reeves  still  lives  (November,  1879), 
and  resides  with  her  daughter.  Her  life  is  above  reproach,  and  she  is  a 
noted  mid-wife  and  doctress. 


THF.  MURDER  OF'  JAMES  SHINN. 
A  brutal  murder  took  place  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Township,  on  the 


536  &ECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

farm  of  Geo.  Bonham,  March  18,  1854.  A  public  sale  was  being  held, 
and  liquor  brought  by  the  parties  attending  freely  drank.  When  the 
supply  was  exhausted  a  purse  was  made  up  for  some  more.  It  was  soon 
imbibed,  and  its  effects  at  once  became  apparent.  John  Organ,  a  brother 
of  the  murdered  man,  became  specially  noisy,  and  his  brother  Williafn 
Organ,  who  was  perfectly  sober,  strove  to  quiet  him.  While  thus  en- 
gaged, James  Shinn  got  out  from  the  wagon  where  he  sat,  and  drawing  a 
long  sharp-bladed  knife,  rushed  into  the  crowd,. striking  the  first  man  he 
met,  which  proved  to  (be  William  Organ,  who  fell  to  the  ground  dead. 
The  murder  was  most  unprovoked  and  brutal,  Organ  being  engaged  in 
quieting  his  brother.  Shinn  escaped,  but  was  caught  and  lodged  in  jail, 
from  which  he  broke  out.  He  was  again  captured,  and  after  a  long  and 
tedious  trial  was  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for  three  years  and  six 
months.  This  may  have  been  the  first,  but  it  was  not  the  only  time  jus- 
tice has  been  cheated  of  her  dues  in  Marshall  County. 


INCIDENTS. 

The  first  birth  in  the  Township  was  that  of  John  Hoskins'  son 
Leonard,  in  1835. 

The  first  wedding  of  any  Whitefield  citizen  was  that  of  Jeriah  Bon 
ham  to  Miss  Sarah  Atwood  in  1839,  at  the  house  of  the  bride's  father," 
Mr.  Timothy  Atwood. 

The  land  of  the  Bonham  grave-yard  was  never  conveyed  or  dedicated 
to  the  public  and  no  lots  were  ever  sold,  but  a  burial  place  is  freely  given 
to  any  neighbor  of  the  family. 

While  the  Reeves  gang  infested  the  country,  more  or  less  counterfeit 
money  was  in  circulation.  A  few  years  ago  a  boy  while  hunting  cows  in 
the  vicinity  discovered  a  bottle  hidden  beside  a  tree  containing  $1,000  in 
new  bills  dated  1842  and  3.  They  were  on  the  Hudson  River  Bank,  and 
were  undoubtedly  "planted"  by  some  member  of  the  gang. 

When  Mr.  Bonham  and  his  sons-in-law  located  on  the  bottoms  they 
went  into  sheep  raising  pretty  extensively,  but  this  venture  did  not  prove 
fortunate.  The  wolves  were  numerous,  and  often  came  in  broad  daylight 


INCIDENTS  AND  MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS.  537 

carrying  off  young  lambs  and  pigs  from  the  very  cabin  doors.  They 
would  prowl  around  in  gangs,  and  making  an  apparently  concerted  plan  of 
attack,  would  carry  it  out  with  perfect  success.  One  would  amuse  the 
dogs,  another  would  threaten  to  break  into  the  back  door  of  the  stable  ov 
hen  house,  a  third  would  worry  the  old  sow,  while  the  fourth  aL 
would  get  a  pig  each  and  start  for  the  swamps  and  jungles  of  the  il  er 
bottom,  to  be  joined  by  their  comrades  in  a  few  moments.  The  ex- 
asperated woman  of  the  house  would  hear  the  pig  squealing,  loud  and 
direfully  at  first,  then  fainter  and  more  faint  until  the  captors  had  reached 
some  favorite  retreat,  beyond  the  reach  of  dogs  and  men.  They  would 
capture  sheep  by  a  different  stratagem.  This  was  to  stampede  the  flock, 
and  getting  them  scattered  in  the  woods  kill  them  to  eat  at  their  leisure. 
If  the  shepherd  was  not  on  the  constant  lookout  for  these  marauders 
they  were  sure  to  take  advantage  of  his  negligence  by  sweeping  down 
upon  his  helpless  flock. 

There  was  but  little  demand  for  more  wool  than  home  consumption 
required.  Some  of  the  farmers  who. did  not  raise  sheep  had  looms  and 
spinning  wheels,  and  managed  to  buy  wool  from  those  who  grew  the 
article. 

Snakes  were  plentiful  and  venomous.  A  visitor  at  Frank  Drake's, 
in  1847,  avers  that  he  saw  them  thrust  their  heads  through  cracks  in  the 
floor,  and  they  sometimes  entered  the  house.  In  1844  the  high  water 
drew  them  from  the  bottoms  and  they  swarmed  on  high  grounds.  A  little 
child  whose  parents  name  was  Long,  was  bitten  while  playing  in  the  yard, 
and  when  taken  up  by  its  mother  the  snake  clung  to  the  child  and  was 
lifted  up  with  it. 

The  father  of  Warner  Combs  was  building  a  house  for  John  King, 
and  hearing  the  prodigious  snake  stories  told  by  certain  men  engaged  in 
breaking,  was  induced  to  go  and  see  for  himself,  and  counted  seventy-five 
killed  in  a  comparatively  small  space,  most  of  them  of  the  most  venom- 
ous kind. 

Harmon  G.  Andrews  was  one  of  Whitefield's  best  citizens.  He  served 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  volunteered  in 
the  three  months'  service.  Coming  home  he  raised  a  company  for  the 
Forty-Seventh  Regiment,  and  was  chosen  Captain,  serving  in  the  Mis- 
souri campaign  under  General  Fremont;  also  at  Island  No.  10,  the  capture 


538 


RECORDS  os-  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


of  Forts  Henry  and  Donaldson,  luka  and  Corinth,  when  he  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner. 

After  this  he  resigned,  and  coming  home  raised  Company  A,  of  the 
Fifteenth  Illinois,  and  was  elected  Captain.  They  were  ordered  to 
Georgia,  where  they  received  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  General,  Walker, 
with  10,400  men.  The  war  was  virtually  over,  and  they  were  mustered 
out  January  24,  1846.  He  was  twice  elected  Treasurer,  and  was  uni- 
versally regretted. 


TOPOGRAPHY  of  STEUBEN  TOWNSHIP. 


539 


STEUBEN   TOWNSHIP. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

HOW    NAMED. 

OME  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  Township  came  from  Steu- 
ben  County,  New  York,  named  in  honor  of  Baron  Steuben, 
a  distinguished  Prussian  soldier  and  intimate  friend  of  Gen- 
eral Washington,  with  whom  he  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  The  name  commemorated  their  former  home 
and  a  gallant  soldier  likewise,  and  at  the  suggestion  of  Tim- 
othy Atwood  it  was  conferred  upon  their  chosen  future 
home.  The  Township  lies  along  the  Illinois  River,  extend- 
ing westward  to  La  Prairie,  and  is  broken  and  cut  up  by  ra vines,  but  there 
is  much  valuable  land  within  its  borders,  and  numerous  finely  cultivated 
farms. 

The  river  bottoms  are  low  and  subject  to  overflow  in  seasons  of  high 
water;  the  bluffs  rise  abruptly,  affording  excellent  pasturage,  but  seldom 
susceptible  of  cultivation. 

These  bluffs  are  filled  with  coal,  easily  and  extensively  mined;  like- 
wise fire  clay,  lime  and  sand  stone.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  bluffs  the  soil 
is  mostly  clay,  which  becomes  black  loam  as  you  travel  west,  producing 
heavy  crops  easily  cultivated.  The  bluffs  and  ravines  are  covered  with 
timber  and  and  an  undergrowth  of  oaks,  etc.,  indigenous  to  the  soil  and 
valuable  for  fire  wood  and  other  purposes.  The  principal  and  only  outlet 
for  the  products  is  the  village  of  Sparland,  lying  along  the  Bureau  Valley 
Branch  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific  Railroad.  It  enjoys  a 
healthy  trade  with  the  country  west,  and  is  one  of  the  best  shipping 
points  along  the  road.  Beside  its  extensive  yield  of  coal,  it  is  the  out- 
let for  a  large  portion  of  the  agricultural  products  of  La  Prairie  and  por- 
tions of  Whitefield  and  Saratoga. 

Two  and  a  half  miles  below  the  village  attempts  were  once  made  to 
open  up  extensive  coal  mining  operations,  and  a  company  from  Chicago 


540  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLbEK  TIME. 

expended  large  sums  in  buildings  and  improvements,  naming  the  station 
Grantville.  Subsequent  investigations  proved  that  either  the  coal  did  not 
exist  in  paying  quantities  or  it  was  of  too  poor  a  quality  to  market  suc- 
cessfully, so  the  enterprise  was  abandoned.  Of  the  houses  erected  several 
have  been  blown  down,  and  the  rest  are  going  to  swift  destruction. 

Two  miles  above  town  a  company  from  Kock  Island  began  extensive 
works,  and  after  the  expenditure  of  several  thoiisand  dollars,  suspended 
labor  and  abandoned  their  improvements. 

The  village  was  laid  out  by  the  Sparr  family,  June  13,  1855,  and 
embraced  a  few  lots  lying  along  the  tract,  but  since  then  numerous  addi- 
tions have  been  made  giving  it  all  the  territory  required.  It  contains  a  fine 
hotel,  elevator,  passenger  building,  etc.,  with  several  fine  stores,  shops  and 
dwellings,  two  churches  and  one  of  the  finest  public  school  buildings  in  the 
county. 

THE    EARLY    SETTLERS    OF    STEUBEN. 

Franklin  Ward  Graves  was  the  first  known  resident  of  Steuben,  com- 
ing to  Sparland  in  1831.  He  bought  of  the  Indians  the  land  on  which 
the  town  stands,  and  built  a  cabin  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  near  Dr.  Tes- 
mer's  residence. 

The  next  settler  was  John  Ridgeway,  married  to  Ann  McGee,  who 
came  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  settled  where  Grantville  stands.  They  were 
accompanied  by  Jeremiah  Cooper  and  family,  who  settled  beside  him. 
Mr.  Ridgeway  died  in  1852,  and  his  widow,  since  Mrs.  Pursell,  still  sur- 
vives, (1880.)  Mr.  Cooper  died  in  1843,  leaving  six  children.  James 
Hammett  also  came  to  the  locality  that  year,  and  died  long  ago.  He 
raised  John  and  William  Ray.  Beside  him  on  the  north  lived  William 
Eads,  who  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  His  wife  died  here,  and  he 
remained  in  the  vicinity  until  1862  or  3,  when  he  went  into  the  army  as 
a  teamster,  and  was  killed  by  accident. 

George  Reddick  came  in  1833,  and  built  a  cabin  not  far  from  the  Fos- 
bender  warehouse,  where  himself  and  wife  subsequently  died. 

Hiram  McLaughlin  is  an  old  settler  who  made  a  farm  in  the  Town- 
ship at  an  early  day,  and  raised  numerous  descendants. 

John  Cornell  came  to  Chicago,  and  fell  among  thieves  who  stole  his 
money  and  clothing.  He  worked  his  way  to  Putnam  County,  thence  to- 
ward Sparland,  and  finally  made  a  claim  on  the  bluff  back  of  the  village 
in  1839,  where  the  brick  school  house  now  stands,  and  also  started  his 


SET'fLEfcS    AN1)    fHElR   t)OtN&8.  541 

home  farm  on  the  south-east  quarter  of  Section  9,  where  he  still  lives.    He 
moved  upon  it  in  1850. 

Wm.  Armstrong  settled  on  Big  Senachwine  Creek  in  1839,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Drake's  Grove,  having  married  a  Miss  Welch,  who  lived  above 
Sparland  in  Whitefield,  on  the  river  bottoms  to  the  south  of  the  timber. 
He  died  during  the  late  war — a  soldier  in  the  Union  army,  and  his 
family  removed  to  Kansas. 

S.  E.  Thompson  and  George  B.  Drake  came  here  in  the  fall  of  1834, 
and  built  cabins  at  the  head  of  Gimlet  Hollow,  where  Sargent's  brick 
house  now  stands.  Drake  remained  there  till  the  next  spring — 1835,  when 
Francis  B.  Drake,  Sr.,  and  family  came,  and  moved  to  the  timber  since 
known  as  Drake's  Grove. 

Frank  Drake,  Sr.,  had  five  children,  of  whom  George  was  the  eldest. 
His  second  son  and  namesake  lived  here  until  1877,  when  he  removed  to 
Texas  and  is  still  living.  His  daughter  Sally  married  Samuel  Ellis 
Thompson,  and  still  survives.  His  daughter  Cynthia  died  September  13, 
1835;  and  his  daughter  Delia  married  Thomas  Doran,  and  lives  on  the  old 
homestead.  George  first  settled  in  the  bottoms  east  of  the  County  poor 
farm,  and  lived  there  until  1855,  when  he  emigrated  to  Texas.  He  was. 
a  brick  mason  by  trade,  and  erected  most  of  the  early  brick  houses  of  this 
section. 

Joseph  Thompson  came  in  1834,  accompanied  by  his  sons  Asa  and 
Samuel  Ellis  Thompson.  He  possessed  considerable  ready  money  and 
made  considerable  improvements.  The  first  religious  meetings  were  held 
at  his  house,  and  the  first  Society  was  organized  there. 

When  lands  came  into  market  he  journeyed  to  Quincy  to  make  his 
entries,  where  he  was  attacked  with  measles  and  died.  Mrs.  F.  returned 
and  resided  with  her  son  Ellis  until  her  death,  March  10,  1843,  aged 
seventy-two  years.  Their  eldest  daughter  was  wedded  to  George  B. 
Drake  before  their  arrival  here,  and  their  second  daughter  married  the 
Rev.  John  Brown.  She  taught  the  first  school  in  the  Township. 

Samuel  Ellis  Thompson  married  Sally  Drake  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1830,  going  to  the  wedding  on  horseback,  and  immediately  after  they 
began  housekeeping  in  a  new  cabin,  where  they  live  to-day. 

Mrs.  Drake  died  in  February,  1847,  and  Mr.  Drake  one  year  later,  of 
cancer,  aged  sixty-nine. 

Asa  Thompson  married  Miss  Nancy  Watkins,  before  coming  here. 
She  died  February  23,  1837,  and  together,  with  their  infant  daughter 


542  RECORDS  OS1  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Mary  J.,  who  died  October  3,  1836,  sleep  in  the  Sparland  cemetery,  the 
latter  being  the  first  interment. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade,  and  first  settled  at 
Chillicothe,  but  considerable  sickness  prevailing,  he  removed  here  and 
made  his  home  with  his  brother.  In  February,  1844,  he  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Smalley,  daughter  of  James  Orr,  of  Lacon,  and  moved  into  his 
cabin,  where  he  lived  happily  until  February  25,  1874,  when  he  died,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-four  years. 

Their  children  were  William  E.,  born  December  26,  1844,  present 
County  Treasurer  of  Marshall  County;  Margaret  Jane,  born  May  24, 
1346,  married  to  Charles  Boys,  living  in  Livingstone  County,  Illinois; 
Asa,  born  August  23,  1849,  dead;  Asa  Ellis  and  Elizabeth,  twins,  the 
former  dead  and  the  latter  still  living  at  home;  Milford,  now  at  Blandins- 
ville,  Illinois ;  Joseph,  a  farmer  in  Steuben. 

Mi-.  Thompson  was  a  man  of  more  than  average  ability  and  acquired 
a  large  property.  Mrs.  T.  resides  upon  the  old  homestead,  enjoying  the 
respect  of  all  who  know  her. 

Mrs.  Mary  Wathins  came  from  Ohio  and  settled  north-west  of  Spar- 
land  in  1835.  She  died  in  1865.  Her  son  Jehiel  settled  near  her  and 
David  lives  on  the  old  place.  Her  daughter  Mary  Jane  wedded  Isaac 
Tanquary ;  Lucinda  married  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blackwell,  and  after  his  death 
wedded  James  Tanquaiy,  Jr. 

James  Tanquary,  Sr.,  died  many  years  ago,  and  his  wife  became  Mrs. 
Abram  Tanquaiy.  After  his  death  a  Mnd  shark  from  the  vicinity  of 
Quincy  came  along  with  a  prior  claim  upon  her  land,  and  to  save 
herself  from  being  turned  out  of  doors  she  was  compelled  to  pay  him  five 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Mr.  Tanquary  was  long  a  class  leader  in  the 
church  and  a  useful  citizen. 

John  S.  Hoskins  came  on  to  the  prairie  at  an  early  day  and  made  a 
claim,  where  he  lived  until  his  death. 

Josiah  Hoskins  settled  on  Hard  Scrabble  at  an  early  day.  He  had 
three  sons,  John  S.,  Henry  and  Thomas.  John  S.  is  dead,  and  the  others 
still  live  in  the  Township. 

John  Power  settled  upon  what  was  long  known  as  the  Fenn  place,  at 
Drake's  Grove,  in  the  fall  of  1837.  He  came  from  Virginia,  and  had  ten 
children,  himself,  wife  and  son-in-law.  He  died  upon  the  place. 

One  of  his  sons  fell  from  a  wagon  and  broke  his  neck,  near  Allen 


EARLY    SETTLERS    AND    THEIR    DOINGS.  543 

Hunter's,  on  Yankee  street.  Subsequently  the  laud  passed  into  other 
hands,  and  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Fred.  Gage. 

David  W.  Bates,  with  his  wife  and  son  L.  M.  Bates,  settled  upon  the 
Bates  farm,  three  miles  north-west  of  Sparland,  in  the  spring  of  1837. 
The  old  man  died  upon  his  farm,  and  a  son  started  to  California  during 
the  time  of  the  gold  fever  and  died  upon  the  way. 

L.  P.  Bates,  a  younger  brother,  was  for  some  time  a  citizen  of  Spar- 
land  and  now  lives  in  Iowa.  A  half  sister  lives  in  Chillicothe. 

Benjamin  Allen  opened  the  well  known  place,  now  the  County  poor 
farm,  in  the  fall  of  1837. 

Timothy  Atwood  came  to  Steuben  in  1835,  from  the  town  of  that 
name  in  New  York.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  acquiring  several 
soldiers'  titles  to  land  came  West  to  locate  them.  He  had  eight  sons  and 
daughters,  four  of  whom  accompanied  him  and  the  rest  soon  followed. 
He  broke  fifty  acres  that  fall,  and  the  next  year  fenced  in  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  laud.  He  was  a  surveyor,  a  prominent  Mason,  and  a 
leading  member  of  the  church.  He  died  September  6,  1837,  aged  sixty- 
flve  years.  His  son  William  succeeded  him  on  the  old  place,  which  after- 
ward was  sold  to  Samuel  McCoy. 

Allen  Hunter  came  in  1837  and  occupied  a  cabin  built  by  Mr. 
Atwood.  He  succeeded  to  the  Atwood  homestead.  Yankee  street  was 
a  nickname  attached  to  it  by  the  rule  of  "contraries."  It  is  one  of  the 
garden  spots  of  the  County.  The  public  road  from  Peoria  to  Galena  was 
laid  out  through  there  in  1835.  One  locality  in  the  neighborhood  was 
called  Hickory  Point. 

Other  settlers  of  early  days  were  Thomas  Miner,  who  came  in  1837, 
John  Webster,  Russell  Frisbie  and  Joel  Fosdick. 

Charles  and  James  Doran  came  with  their  mother  to  the  vicinity  of 
Drake's  Grove  in  1837,  and  began  improvements  on  what  is  since  known 
as  the  Fisher  place. 

George  Mead  came  upon  the  Powers'  farm  in  1840. 

Levi  Fosdick  settled  one-half  mile  east  of  Drake's  Grove,  and  planted 
what  is  known  in  Steuben  as  the  "big  orchard,"  in  1844  and  '45. 

Cornelius  Tanquary  settled  north  of  Bethel  Church  in  1840,  and  still 
remains  there. 

Among  the  prominent  settlers  of  this  Township  is  Amasa  Garrett. 
He  came  to  Putnam  County  with  his  parents  in  1836,  and  subsequently 


544  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

moved  to  his  farm  at  Thompson's  "four  corners,"  west  of  Spailand,  before 
he  had  attained  his  majority. 

His  father  at  an  early  day  settled  at  Cole's  Grove,  in  Bureau  County, 
twenty-five  miles  from  Winnebago  swamp,  in  the  midst  of  the  Indian 
country.  For  many  years  he  was  the  only  white  inhabitant  of  that  re- 
gion, and  his  house  was  frequently  a  stopping  place  for  the  old  settlers  of 
the  country  south,  on  their  way  to  and  from  the  land  sales  at  Galena. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years  and  his  wife  at  eighty-one. 

In  1836,  when  Amasa  came  to  Steuben,  times  were  good  and  money 
plentiful,  but  from  1837  to  1840  they  were  hard  indeed. 

Mr.  Garratt,  Sr.,  wishing  to  stock  his  farm,  went  to  McLean  County 
and  purchased  three-year  old  steers  for  $4.50  and  $5.00 ;  heifers  $1.00  to 
$2.00  less;  two-year  olds,  $3.00  and  $4.00;  yearlings,  $2.50  and  $3.00, 
and  cows,  $7.00  and  $8.00.  At  Chicago,  during  these  years,  beef  brought 
when  dressed  only  2^  to  3  cents  per  pound  by  the  quarter.  Here  on  the 
prairies  the  best  cattle  brought  only  one  cent  per  pound  on  foot. 

The  first  laid  out  public  thoroughfare  in  this  Township  was  the  State 
road  from  Peoria  to  Galena,  used  by  the  settlers  in  their  travels  to  Galena 
to  enter  land  and  visit  the  lead  mines,  and  by  the  stage  line,  commencing 
in  about  1836. 

The  first  precinct  election  held  in  the  Township  was  at  the  dwelling 
house  of  Thomas  Miner,  who  settled  in  1838,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
William  Ford,  on  Yankee  Street.  The  place  was  known  as  Hickory 
Point,  from  a  grove  of  hickory  timber  extending  further  out  upon  the 
prairie.  The  election  precinct  then  embraced  what  is  now  Steuben  and 
La  Prairie.  At  this  election  it  was  agreed  that  the  region  should  be 
formed  into  a  town  and  named  Steuben. 

In  early  times  the  settlers  found  markets  at  Chicago  or  Galena.  Long 
journeys  were  made  to  these  places,  and  when  it  was  known  that  any  one 
was  meditating  a  trip,  he  was  besieged  to  do  errands  for  neighbors,  who 
came  far  and  near. 

Samuel  B.  McLaughlin  is  another  old  settler,  descended  from  good  old 
Sgptch-Irish  parentage,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1813,  and  when  19 
years  old  came  to  Illinois  and  located  on  Senachwine  Creek,  above  Peoria, 
in  1833,  wedding  Rachel  L.  Hammett,  who  bore  him  thirteen  children, 
four  of  whom  have  died.  He  lived  there  four  years,  and  then  moved  to 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  alwas  a  hard  worker  and  economical,  and 
made  money,  as  the  saying  goes,  "hand  over  fist."  When  markets  did 


EARLY    SETTLERS SCHOOLS.  545 

not  satisfy  him,  he  went  to  Chicago,  driving  an  ox  team.  He  has  sold 
wheat  in  that  market  as  low  as  37i  cents  per  bushel.  Our  limits  will  not 
permit  a  detailed  sketch  of  what  could  be  made  a  valuable  article.  He 
has  a  finely  improved  place,  a  well  finished  house,  and  owns  1,200  acres 
of  land.  Mrs.  McLaughlin's  parents  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Chil. 
licothe  Township. 

Among  the  settlers  not  previously  named  were : 

James  Douglas,  who  came  in*  1840  and  located  upon  the  prairie  in 
Watkins'  neighborhood.  His  farm  was  two  miles  west,  on  the  Samuel 
Blackwell  place. 

John  Black  settled  on  what  is  now  the  Fort  farm  about  the  same  date. 

George  Scott  came  in  1839,  settling  in  the  lower  end  of  the  Township. 
He  afterward  returned  to  Scotland,  and  died  in  the  West  Indies. 

James  Sumner  settled  on  "Hard  Scrabble,"  where  L.  B.  Thomas  lives, 
in  1837. 

Washington  Bailey  came  at  the  same  time,  and  settled  in  the  edge  of 
the  timber.  He  left  the  country  between  two  days  for  his  country's  good. 
.  Patrick  George  and  John  Smith  also  lived  in  the  vicinity. 

The  Sparr  family  came  at  an  early  date,  but  we  cannot  say  when. 

H.  R.  Cassell  tells  of  buying  lime  of  George  Sparr,  at  Sparland,  in 
1834. 


THE  OLD  SCHOOLS. 
v 

One  of  the  first  schools  in  the  Township  was  taught  by  Miss  Elizabeth 
Mead,  in  1835,  in  a  log  building  north  of  Asa  Thompson's  farm. 

Joseph  Thompson  furnished  the  land,  and,  together  with  his  son  Elias, 
helped  to  build  the  first  school  house  in  the  Township,  in  the  winter  of 
1837-8.  It  was  made  of  logs,  16x18,  with  two  windows,  each  having 
six  panes  of  8x10  glass,  and  a  stone  fire  place.  The  floor  was  made  of 
split  logs  or  puncheons.  The  first  teacher  was  Miss  Margaret  Thompson, 
afterward  wife  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  who  taught  in  the  summer  of  1839. 

The  present  brick  school  house,  north  of  the  four  corners,  near  Asa 
Thompson's  residence,  was  built  in  1853.  The  old  log  school  house  stood 
upon  a  knoll  on  a  cleared  space  in  the  timber,  near  the  present  tile 
factory.  Among  the  early  teachers  here,  besides  Miss  Thompson,  were 
Lyman  Drake,  Franklin  Bates,  Robert  Wills,  Jason  Truey  and  Young 


546  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

Dodge,  afterward  Major  General.     Succeeding  these  were  George  Drake 
and  Delia  Drake,  both  spoken  of  as  excellent  teachers. 


RELIGIOUS. 

The  house  of  Joseph  Thompson  was  freely  thrown  open  to  religious 
meetings,  and  therein  was  organized  the  first  meeting  to  form  a  society  in 
the  summer  or  fall  of  1837.  Zadoc  Hall  officiated,  and  he  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Moff att  being  on  the  Kickapoo  Circuit,  frequently  preached  there,  Elder 
John  Sinclair  being  the  first  Presiding  Elder  for  this  section. 

Rev.  Enos  Thompson,  a  brother  of  Joseph  Thompson,  came  here 
occasionally  and  held  forth  at  the  house  of  the  latter  and  in  the  school 
house,  in  1836. 

Old  Bethel  Church  was  built  near  Asa  Thomspon's,  on  his  Ian  d,  in 
1849,  by  Ellis  Thompson  and  others,  and  in  1875  moved  out  further  West 
upon  the  prairie,  its  former  location  being  not  sufficiently  central  for  the 
convenience  of  its  congregation,  which  now  embraces  over  a  hunded 
families. 

A  Sabbath  School  was  organized  at  Bethel  Church  many  years  ago, 
and  prayer  meetings  were  held  there  and  at  the  old  log  school  house. 

The  first  Sabbath  school  at  the  log  school  house  was  held  in  1838,  and 
was  comprised  of  children  of  every  Protestant  denomination,  their  parents 
acting  as  teachers,  using  such  text  books  as  they  could  procure.  In  the 
same  way  a  small  library  was  formed,  each  settler  furnishing  from  his 
own  collection  such  religious  books  as  he  happened  to  have,  making  a 
curious  collection.  Among  the  liberal  donors  to  this  library  were  the 
ladies  of  Lacon,  who  gave  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  Baptist,  Metho- 
dist, Presbyterian,  Campbellite,  Episcopalian  and  other  denominational 
books. 

The  preachers  here  after  Zadoc  Hall  were  Elder  Moff  att,  Rev.  George 
Briggs,  Rev.  Mr.  Jordan,  and  afterward  again  Mr.  Hall. 

The  first  Methodist  class  was  formed  iu  the  spring  of  1837,  by  Rev. 
Zadoc  Hall.  Thej  members  were  Mrs.  F.  B.  Drake,  Sr.,  Sallie  Thomp- 
son, Mrs.  Tanquary,  Mr.  Henderson  and  wife. 

Old  Mrs.  Watkins  and  Mrs.  David  Watkins  were  afterward  added  to 
the  membership.  The  first  regular  preacher  was  Rev.  Mr.  Fitzpatrick, 


A   MODEL   FIELD   OF   CORN.  549 

who  inaugurated  the  movement  which  resulted  in  the  erectiou  of  Bethel 
Church  in  1849. 


INDIANS    OF    SPARLAND    AND    VICINITY. 

Among  the  white  settlers  none  had  better  facilities  for  observing  the 
manners  and  customs  of  the  Indians  than  Mr.  John  Hammett,  who  settled 
on  Senachwine  Creek,  above  Chillicothe,  in  1830,  and  had  frequent  inter- 
course with  the  red-skins. 

His  first  experience  here  was  during  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow, 
and  having  secured  but  little  hay,  Mr.  Hammett  had  to  resort  to 
various  expedients  to  keep  his  stock  from  starving.  He  cut  down 
maple  sugar  tsees,  the  tender  shoots  of  which  afforded  sustenance  for  his 
cattle.  His  corn,  which  he  planted  about  the  10th  of  June,  was  killed  by 
frost.  The  Indians,  having  about  that  time  left  their  Chillicothe  village 
and  located  at  Sparland,  Mr.  H.  turned  the  abandoned  site  into  a  farm. 

One  day  he  rode  up  to  the  village  at  Sparland,  which  contained  a  hun- 
dred or  more  wigwams,  built  in  the  bottom  below  the  present  site  of 
the  village.  They  had  about  thirty  acres  of  corn  and  pumpkins,  the 
finest  he  ever  saw.  The  corn  was  planted  in  hills,  like  sweet  potatoes, 
the  hills  being  arranged  in  perfectly  straight  rows  and  squares,  while 
the  several  grains  in  each  hill  were  placed  with  like  geometrical  pre- 
cision. These  hills  were  circular,  two  feet  in  diameter,  and  one  foot 
high,  the  top  being  flat,  and  they  stood  about  six  feet  apart.  There  were 
thirty  to  forty  stalks  in  each  hill,  planted  in  circles,  the  stalks  being  about 
six  inches  apart.  It  was  the  small  eight-rowed  variety,  was  carefully  cul- 
tivated by  hand,  and  thus  tended  grew  to  monstrous  proportions  and 
matured  early,  escaping  the  fall  frosts  which  nipped  later  varieties.  They 
also  raised  squashes,  beans  and  pumpkins.  All  the  field  work  was  done 
by  squaws,  the  lordly  warrior  scorning  to  turn  his  noble  mind  to  servile 
labor.  Sufficient  corn  for  winter  use  was  gathered,  exposed  for  a  time  to 
the  sun  or  smoke  and  heat  of  the  wigwams,  and  then  buried  in  caches  or 
holes  in  the  ground  in  dry,  elevated  localities. 

The  Indians  had  no  fences  around  their  corn  field.  Along  one  side  of 
the  field  was  the  pasture  for  their  ponies,  being  the  ground  now  known  as 
O'Leary's  corn  field.  A  stream  of  water  running  from  the  bluffs  to  the 
river  divided  the  pasture  from  the  corn  and  kept  the  ponies  out  of  mischief. 


550  feECOfeDS   OF   TftE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Mr.  Samuel  Thompson,  an  old  settler  near  Sparland,  narrates  anecdotes 
of  his  early  experience. 

The  Indians  were  very  friendly  in  early  days;  in  fact,  entirely  too 
familiar.  They  would  enter  his  house  and  make  themselves  thoroughly 
comfortable.  They  would  look  into  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  prem- 
ises, open  and  smell  of  the  bottles  of  medicine,  and  were  peculiarly  fond 
of  whisky,  an  article  which  they  seemed  to  take  to  as  readily  as  ducks  to 
water.  In  those  days  wild  game  was  plentiful,  and  the  Indians  could 
easily  kill  all  (deer  especially)  that  they  could  consume.  They  would  eat 
the  meat  of  any  sort  of  wild  animal,  even  that  of  the  obnoxious  pole  cat, 
and  often  preferred  it  raw. 

Mr.  Thompson  once  visited  Shaubena's  camp  and  showed  the  Indians 
a  Bible.  After  looking  at  it,  with  strange  gestures  an<jl  noises,  they 
pointed  toward  the  sky,  indicating  that  they  comprehended  its  object. 

The  Indians  preserved  meat  for  food  by  drying,  suspending  it  in  slices 
around  a  hole  in  the  ground,  in  the  bottom  of  which  was  a  fire,  and 
allowing  it  to  remain  until  sufficiently  dried.  They  had  well  fashioned 
copper  kettles  in  which  they  prepared  their  soup.  Corn  was  reduced  to 
a  coarse  meal  by  pounding  in  a  rude  stone  mortar. 

Religioxis  meetings  were  frequently  held  at  Drake's  Grove,  usually 
conducted  by  missionaries,  which  the  Indians  invariably  attended  in  great 
numbers. 


SCALPED    BY    INDIANS. 


About  1864  a  young  man  named  Magee,  whose  home  was  below  Spar- 
land,  went  West  and  engaged  to  cross  the  plains  as  a  Government 
teamster.  There  were  a  dozen  or  so  of  wagons  in  the  train,  and  while 
camped  at  what  was  known  as  Big  Spring,  in  Western  Kansas,  they  were 
attacked  by  a  roving  band  of  Indians,  and  all  of  the  party  murdered  but 
young  Magee.  There  was  a  Government  stockade  within  a  mile  of  them 
and  the  attack  was  seen,  but  before  aid  could  come  the  red  devils  had 
accomplished  their  work  and  were  safe  from  pursuit.  As  is  usual,  the 
attack  was  made  at  daylight,  when  all  but  the  drowsy  sentinel  were  sound 
asleep.  The  enemy  came  unseen  until  within  a  few  rods,  and  then  sud- 
denly swooping  down  upon  their  ponies,  slaughtered  their  victims  before 
any  defense  could  be  attempted. 

Young  Magee  was  sleeping  beneath  a  wagon  when  alarmed  by  the 
Indians,  and  started  to  run,  but  was  shot  in  half  a  dozen  places  with 


AN   ECCENTRIC    CHARACTER.  551 

arrows,  and  fell  to  the  ground,  feigning  death.  An  Indian  came  up,  and 
catching  him  by  the  hair  ran  his  sharp  knife  from  the  forehead  ro\md  to 
the  base,  making  a  clean  cut  to  the  bone;  then  stooping  down  he  placed 
one  knee  upon  the  boy's  breast,  and  giving  a  sharp  jerk,  tore  the  scalp 
clean  off,  leaving  the  top  of  the  head  bare  and  bloody.  It  w:ts  suf- 
ficiently cruel,  but  the  fiend,  to  make  sure  of  his  work,  then  reversed  the 
knife  and  holding  the  blade  in  his  hands,  struck  the  bare  skull  with  the 
handle  as  heavy  a  blow  as  he  was  able.  This  to  the  still  conscious  boy 
was  worse  than  the  scalping,  and  he  relapsed  into  insensibility. 

As  soon  as  possible  the  alarm  was  sounded  at  the  fort  and  a  party  of 
soldiers  turned  out,  who  found  yonng  Magee  rolling  about  on  the  grass. 
From  his  numerous  wounds  and  condition  it  was  believed  he  could  live 
but  a  few  moments,  and  no  attention  was  paid  him,  the  sun,  which  by 
this  time  had  risen,  beating  directly  upon  his  bare  skull.  The  dead  men 
were  gathered  up  and  buried,  and  finding  the  boy  still  alive,  though  delir- 
ious, they  covered  the  wound  with  molasses  to  shield  it  from  the  air, 
and  conveyed  him  to  the  fort. 

There  was  no  surgeon  here,  but  the  next  day  a  train  was  made  up,  he 
was  placed  in  a  Government  wagon  and  taken  to  where  medical  aid  could 
be  had,  some  two  days'  travel  distant.  Here  he  laid  for  many  weeks,  his 
strong  constitution  carrying  him  through.  When  able  to  travel,  transport- 
ation was  furnished  and  he  came  home.  The  wound  upon  his  head  never 
healed  but  continued  a  running  sore.  He  wore  a  cap  or  turban,  which 
was  never  removed  on  entering  a  house.  After  remaining  about  here  for 
a  year  or  so  he  returned  West  again,  and  at  last  accounts  was  still  living. 

DOC.    ALLEN. 

This  was  a  most  eccentric  gentleman,  who  lived  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Illinois  Kiver,  in  Steuben  Township,  many  years  ago.  Being  a  back- 
woodsman of  varied  attainments  and  considerable  originality,  he  was 
known  far  and  near.  Among  other  acquirements  he  had  read  works  on 
the  Thompsonian  system  of  medicine  and  treatment  of  diseases,  and  with- 
out a  diploma  or  any  other  authority  than  a  copy  of  one  of  these  books 
under  his  arm  and  a  pint  bottle  of  "No.  6"  in  one  coat  pocket,  balanced 
by  a  bottle  of  whisky  in  the  other,  he  frequently  rode  forth,  or  walked, 
conquering  and  to  conquer.  The  equilibrium  between  these  two  bottles, 
BS  well  as  his  own,  was  not  always  carefully  preserved,  and  the  contents 


552  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

of  the  whisky  bottle  transferred  to  his  mouth,  resulted  in  causing  him  to 
proceed  in  a  lopsided,  irregular  gait,  and  frequently  upset  him. 

One  night  the  "  Squire  "  had  been  on  a  visit  to  Chillicothe,  and  started 
for  home  in  the  evening  in  a  very  "salubrious"  condition.  Going  down 
a  steep  bank,  his  feet  caught  in  the  roots  of  a  tree,  the  earth  from 
which  had  been  washed  away  by  recent  rains,  and  he  fell  headlong 
down  hill,  his  foot  held  firmly  in  the  tangled  roots.  There,  helpless,  upon 
his  back,  head  down,  unable  to  extricate  himself,  he  cussed  and  shouted 
for  help  in  vain.  To  add  to  his  miseiy,  his  bottle  of  whisky  was  in  his 
coat  tail  pocket,  and  that  was  out  of  reach  down  hill.  After  vainly 
struggling  to  free  himself,  he  took  out  his  knife  to  "  unjoint  his  leg,"  as 
he  expressed  it,  when  Asa  Thompson  came  along  and  set  him  free.  A  mu- 
tual drink  was  indulged  in,  the  Squire  remarking,  as  he  lingeringly  with- 
drew the  flask  from  his  mouth  after  a  long  pull,  and  gave  vent  to  a  sigh 
of  satisfaction,  "  Good  thing  you  came  up,  stranger,  just  in  time  —  I'd  cut 
off  that  are  fool  of  a  leg,  sure!" 

,  Mr.  Allen  managed  to  secure  his  election  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  hence  his  title  of  "Squire."  His  court  was  a  model  of  judicial  im- 
portance, but  somewhat  hampered  as  to  room  and  what  would  be  consid- 
ered appropriate  surroundings.  His  cabin,  situated  near  the  present 
county  poor-house,  consisted  of  a  single  room  with  the  usual  large  chim- 
ney, low  door,  and  in  lieu  of  a  window,  a  log  chopped  out  on  one  side, 
the  aperture  being  stuffed  with  old  clothes  or  hay  in  cold  weather. 
Three  or  four  poles  overhead  answered  for  joists.  The  chickens  occupied 
the  loft,  while  the  pigs  roamed  about  below,  running  between  the  Squire's 
legs  when  too  closely  pursued  by  the  dogs.  He  held  court  serui- 
occasionally,  as  legal  business  in  these  days  was  not  brisk.  When  a  suit 
was  to  be  tried,  he  mounted  a  slab  stool  and  presided  with  pompous  dig- 
nity. When  the  chickens  came  in  to  roost  in  the  evening,  and  the  pigs 
began  to  seek  their  accustomed  quarters,  the  Squire  would  adjourn  court 
for  the  day,  lay  aside  the  stupendous  importance  which  had  enveloped 
him  during  the  sittings  of  the  court  and  come  down  to  the  humble  foot- 
ing of  common  mortals. 


THE    CAT    AT   THE   BUTTER. 


Mrs.  Thompson  had  a  jar  of  butter  in  a  small  hall  adjoining  her  bed 
room.     One  morning  she  observed  that  the  cloth  covering  had  been  dis- 


AMUSING    ANECDOTES    AND    INCIDENTS.  553 

turbed,  and  for  several  succeeding  days  was  annoyed  by  repetitions  of  the 
offense,  at  which  she  was  considerably  "riled,"  as  she  expressed  it,  and 
vainly  endeavored  to  detect  the  culprit.  One  night  on  retiring  she  heard 
a  noise  in  the  hall,  and  stealing  out  softly,  with  one  dexterous  jump  she 
sprang  upon  a  white  object  which  she  mistook  for  the  family  cat.  She 
seized  the  offender  and  gave  it  one  vigorous  shake,  and  then  retreated 
in  disgust.  It  was  n't  a  cat,  but  the  pretty  little  white-faced,  bushy-tailed 
animal  that  lives  in  retirement  and  supplies  perfumery  on  an  extensive 
scale. 

AN    ACTIVE    DIME. 

Mrs.  Thompson  relates  the  following  as  illustrative  of  the  scarcity  of 
money  in  pioneer  times:  * 

One  day  she  had  occasion  to  go  to  Lacon,  but  had  no  change.  All 
she  wanted  was  a  dime,  an  insignificant  amount,  but  in  those  days  a  sum 
of  great  consequence.  At  length  she  obtained  the  required  wealth,  a 
peculiarly  marked  but  good  and  lawful  dime.  This  she  needed  to  pay 
her  ferriage,  taking  with  her  butter  and  eggs  to  trade  for  such  goods  as 
she  wanted.  She  went  over,  paid  the  ferryman  her  dime,  did  her  shop- 
ping, and  when  ready  to  return  home  asked  the  merchant  for  a  dime  to 
give  the  man  at  the  boat.  The  storekeeper  looked  perplexed;  she  had 
been  a  good  customer,  and  he  felt  in  duty  bound  to  "scare  up"  the 
money ;  but,  where  ?  He  searched  every  drawer,  his  pockets,  accosted  men 
passing  by;  but  all  in  vain.  Finally  he  went  out,  and  in  ten  minutes 
returned  with  the  money,  remarking  as  he  handed  it  to  her,  "Got  one  at 
last,  bet  there  's  not  another  in  town!"  Sure  enough,  for  it  was  the 
identical  dime  she  had  given  to  the  ferryman  when  she  came  over  that 
morning! 


INCIDENTS. 

Old  Sol.  Brewer  was  once  "taken  desperate,"  and  sent  to  invoke  the 
medical  skill  of  Doctor  Allen.  He  promptly  responded,  made  a  diagnosis 
of  the  case,  and  prescribed  a  drink  of  whisky  every  hour,  an  external  ap- 
plication of  No.  6,  and  an  injection  of  rhubarb  and  water,  leaving  it  to  be 
administered  by  the  patient's  hired  man.  The  nurse  somehow  got  the 
bottles  mixed,  and  applied  the  remedies  differently  from  directions.  He 
met  the  Doctor  a  few  days  afterward,  and  thus  reported:  "I  gave  that 


554  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

'ere  whisky  all  right,  rubbed  his  leg  with  the  yaller  stuff,  and  give  him  a 
dejection  of  number  six,  and  you  could  have  hearn  old  Sol  beller 
more'n  two  miles.  He  says  he  'd  not  have  you  again  to  doctor  a  sick 
dog!" 

In  1835  John  Cornell  and  Wm.  Armstrong  dug  into  and  examined  an 
Indian  mound  a  short  distance  below  Sparland,  on  the  river  bank,  and 
found  therein  the  remains  of  an  Indian  of  very  large  stature.  The 
skeleton  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  broad  and  deep  of  chest  in  pro- 
portion. Around  the  body  was  wrapped  twenty  yards  or  more  of  the 
finest  broadcloth.  A  large  knife  was  clutched  in  the  bones  of  the  right 
hand,  and  the  fingers  of  the  left  seemed  once  to  have  grasped  a  tin  cup. 
The  cloth  and  cup  a  few  moments  after  exposure  to  the  air  on  the  slight- 
est touch  crumbled  into  dust.  Around  the  neck  of  the  dead  man  were 
several  ornaments,  such  as  beads  and  similar  trinkets  peculiar  to  his  race. 

During  the  winter  of  1835  Shaubena  and  his  tribe  camped  at  Drake's 
Grove,  in  the  Township,  and  were  visited  by  the  white  people  occasion- 
ally. Mr.  Ellis  Thompson  once  dropped  in  among  them.  They  had 
killed  three  deer,  a  polecat  and  a  wolf.  They  had  dressed  the  meat  of  all 
but  the  wolf,  which  for  some  superstitious  reason  they  discarded  as  food, 
and  offered  Mr.  Thompson  some  of  the  odoriferous  cat,  which  he  declined 
with  his  fingers  upon  his  nose,  but  as  politely  as  his  sensations  of  disgust 
would  permit!  They  were  cooking  this  food  with  unwashed,  filthy 
hands,  just  as  the  handling  of  the  carcasses  had  left  thfm.  They  eagerly 
enquired  for  whisky,  and  were  much  disappointed  when  assured  by  Mr. 
Thompson  that  he  had  none  of  that  article. 


AGITATION    OF   THE   SLAVERY    QUESTION.  555 


THE  UNDERGROUND  RAILROAD. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

SLAVERY    IN   THE    COLONIES. 

(T  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this  work  to  enter  upon  a  dis- 
cussion of  the  question  which  for  many  -  years  threatened  to 
overturn  and  demolish  the  American  Union.  It  is,  there- 
fore, not  the  purpose  of  the  author  to  present  here  any  ex- 
tended history  of  the  events  which  gave  birth  to  slavery; 
nourished  and  maintained  it  until  it  became  of  such  mon- 
strous proportions  as  to  control  and  shape  our  national  legis- 
lation ;  nor  the  eff orts  put  forth  for  its  final  overthrow.  A 
brief  review  of  the  birth  and  growth  of  a  party  which  persistently, 
courageously  and  successfully  combatted  this  gigantic  wrong  in  our 
country  is  deemed  a  fitting  introduction  to  the  incidents  in  the  counties 
whose  history  is  recorded  in  these  pages. 

It  is  enough  for  us  to  know,  and  to  the  credit  of  the  Ameri- 
can people  be  it  said,  that  slaveiy  was  introduced  here  not  by  them- 
selves, but  by  a  foreign  people,  who  knew  nothing  of  human  liberty  in 
theory  or  in  fact,  and  whose  sole  end  was  their  own  personal  aggrandize- 
ment. 

The  first  slaves  in  this  country  were  twenty  Africans,  landed  upon  our 
shores  in  chains  by  a  Dutch  ship,  in  A.  D.  1700.  They  were  sold  to  a 
few  adventurers,  who  had  come  -hither  to  amass  fortunes- — -not  to  remain, 
but  to  return  at  some  future,  time  with  their  ill-gotten  wealth.  This  was 
the  beginning  of  the  slave  trade  and  the  birth  of  slavery  in  the  colonies. 
The  first  anti-slavery  publication  ever  issued  in  this  country  was  a  tract 
written  by  Ralph  Sandiford  in  1729.  The  next  was  by  Benjamin  Lay, 
and  published  by  Dr.  Franklin,  who  helped  to  organize  the  Pennsylvania 
Abolition  Tract  Society,  of  which  he  was  president,  the  first  organization 
of  the  enemies  of  African  bondage  in  America.  It  was  incorporated  sub- 


556  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

sequently  by  the  State  Legislature,  and  continued  to  exist  and  labor  in  its 
work  until  the  final  extirpation  of  the  evil  which  gave  it  birth. 

In  1774  a  declaration  was  issued,  signed  by  all  the  members  of  the 
North  American  Congress,  pledging  its  members  not  to  engage  in  the  slave 
trade  themselves  nor  lease  their  vessels  to  others  for  that  purpose.  This 
was  the  first  step  toward  preventing  foreign  or  domestic  traffic  by  ships 
in  "  human  chattels. 

Slavery  was  extinguished  by  the  provisions  of  the  State  Constitution, 
adopted  in  Massachusetts  in  1776;  in  New  Hampshire  in  1792,  and  in 
Vermont  in  1793.  Laws  for  the  gradual  abolition  of  slavery  were  passed 
by  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  in  1780,  of  Rhode  Island  and  Con- 
necticut in  1784,  of  New  York  in  1799,  and  of  New  Jersey  in  1804. 
Enactments  favoring  voluntary  emancipation  by  the  owners  of  slaves 
were  adopted  in  Delaware  in  1787,  in  Maryland  in  1796,  in  Kentucky  in 
1798,  and  in  Tennessee  in  1801.  The  National  Congress  in  1787,  con- 
formably to  the  request  of  Virginia  in  relinquishing  her  clainis  to  the 
magnificent  North-west  Territory,  of  which  our  own  State  was  a  part, 
passed  an  ordinance  prohibiting  the  introduction  of  slaves  into  that  re- 
gion ;  thus  the  subsequently  great  states  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michi- 
gan and  Wisconsin  became  permanently  free. 

When  the  convention  of  1788  assembled  to  revise  the  articles  of  con- 
federation existing  between  the  States,  it  was  found  that  every  State,  ex- 
cept North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  was  opposed  to  the 
toleration  of  the  African  slave  trade. 

The  so-called  navigation  laws  were  then  the  bone  of  contention  be- 
tween some  of  the  extreme  Northern  and  some  of  the  Southern  States. 
The  Northern  ship  owners  wanted  protection  for  their  vessels  and  ship- 
building fostered  by  Congress.  To  this  the  Carolinas  objected,  as  favor- 
ing one  class  or  locality  to  the  detriment  of  others.  It  was  class  legisla- 
tion, which  they  declared  should  not  be  permitted. 

As  a  compromise,  certain  Northern  men  united  with  the  pro-slavery 
delegates,  the  Yankees  getting  their  shipping  laws  to  suit  them,  and  in 
return  the  South  obtained  a  clause  in  the  constitution  by  which  the  slave 
trade  was  continued,  in  such  States  as  should  permit  it,  for  twenty  years 
longer  —  until  1808.  This  scheme  was  adopted  in  direct  opposition  to 
the  vote  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  Delaware  and  Virginia. 

In  this  manner  slavery  was  fastened  upon  the  country  as  one  of  its 
institutions,  recognized  by  the  constitution,  the  fundamental  law  of  the 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  557 

land,  sustained  by  the  Supreme  Court  in  repeated  instances,  and  protected 
by  Congress  and  the  legislatures  of  the  States  where  the  institution  was 
upheld.  On  its  side  were  the  might  and  power  of  the  constitution, 
the  law  makers  and  the  interpre  ers  thereof;  the  strong  arm  of  the  Gov- 
ernment itself  was  employed  to  protect  slavery.  Thus  shielded,  it  grew  and 
increased  in  power  in  one  section  of  the  Union,  and  in  time  became 
haughty  and  aggressive  and  threatened  to  break  down  the  barriers  which 
the  founders  of  the  Government  had  placed  between  it  and  the  free  North. 

The  memorable  agitation  in  Congress  from  1850  to  1852  of  the  slavery 
question,  produced  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  a  time  serving  measure  w  ich 
exasperated  the* radical  abolitionists  in  the  North  and  wo'rked  nothing  to 
allay  the  bitter  sectionalism  of  the  South,  and  was  only  a  means  of  hasten- 
ing the  impending  conflict,  which  was  doomed  to  come  sooner  or  later. 

In  the  meantime  the  Free  Soil  party  was  rapidly  increasing  in  num- 
bers, and  public  sentiment  at  the  north  rapidly  undergoing  a  change. 
The  Kansas-Nebraska  discussion  intensified  the  feeling  and  welded  public 
opinion  at  the  North  into  determined  hostility  to  the  sum  of  all  villainies, 
as  it  was  called. 

The  dispised  abolitionists  "  went  into  politics,"  and  demonstrated  they 
were  a  power  no  longer  to  be  ignored.  Next  came  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party,  a  partial  disintegration  of  the  heretofore  invincible 
Democratic  party,  the  election  of  President  Lincoln,  and  finally  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion.  The  following  up  of  the  local  causes  that  led  to  these 
events  would  be  interesting,  but  space  will  not  permit. 

Public  sentiment  here  was  influenced  by  such  men  as  Lovejoy,  Cod- 
dington,  Dickey  and  other  workers,  who  labored  in  season  and  out  of 
season  for  the  cause  of  human  freedom.  They  were  earnest,  unselfish  God- 
fearing men,  who  felt  it  their  duty  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  promote  the 
cause.  They  held  public  meetings  whenever  audiences  could  be  gathered, 
submitted  to  indignities  and  persecutions  without  number,  but  never 
swerved  from  the  line  they  had  marked  out,  and  most  of  them  lived  to 
see  the  fullest  fruition  of  their  hopes. 

The  Underground  Railroad  grew  out  of  the  efforts  of  the  Anti-Slavery 
party  to  cripple  the  slave  power.  Its  memb  rs  held  that  statutory  enact- 
ments conflicting  with  the  "higher  law"  were  not  binding  and  of  no  effect, 
and  that  they  committed  no  sin  in  helping  a  human  chattel  to  achieve  free- 
dom. 

It  is  due  the  friends  of  slavery  to  say  that  their  action  in  upholding 


558  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

the  "institution,"  etc.,  was  strictly  within  the  letter  of  the  law.  They 
were  commanded  to  detain  eveiy  slave  found  abroad,  to  prevent  his 
escape,  and  return  him  to  bondage  under  penalty  df  fine  and  imprisonment. 
They  were  mainly  natives  of  the  south,  educated  to  regard  the  slave  as  a 
menial  and  inferior  human  being.  Slavery  was  sanctioned  by  divine 
institution  and  the  laws  of  the  land;  they  foresaw  the  inevitable  result  of 
agitation  and  deprecated  the  catastrophe  sure  to  follow. 

It  is  not  probable  there  was  any  formal  organization  for  effecting 
the  escape  of  slaves  in  this  vicinity.  The  friends  of  the  movement  had 
often  met  in  convention  and  knew  on  whom  each  could  rely,  so  that  when 
the  first  fugitive  appeared  the  "friend"  to  whom  he  applfed  knew  of  some 
one  living  northward  on  whom  he  could  depend,  and  to  whom  the  escap- 
ing stranger  was  taken. 

In  this  way  the  traffic  began  and  was  kept  up.  Two  routes  led 
through  the  County.  On  the  east  the  Work  brothers,  living  on  Crow 
Creek,  were  the  active  agents;  their  consignees  below  being  the  Morse 
brothers,  living  in  Woodford  County,  and  all  "packages"  coming  into  their 
hands  were  safely  delivered  to  William  Lewis  and  other  friends  in  the 
vicinity  of  Magnolia,  from  whence  the  fugitive  was  forwarded  past  Lowell 
to  Chicago.  West  of  the  river  Nathaniel  Smith,  at  Lawn  Ridge,  was  the 
active  agent,  who  rece  ved  his  "goods"  from  Moses  Pettengill,  of  Peoria, 
and  others  at  Farmington,  and  delivered  them  with  the  utmost  care  and 
entire  safety  at  Providence  and  Princeton. 

The  experience  of  James  Work,  a  leader  in  the  crusade  of  freedom  and 
an  active  agent  of  the  Underground  Railroad,  will  be  read  with  interest. 
He  well  remembers  the  early  efforts  of  such  successful  agitators  as 
Ichabo  Codding,  Owen  Lovejoy,  Rev.  James  H.  Dickey  and  that  class  of 
earnest,  able  men  and  finished  orators,  who  came  among  the  people  and 
organized  the  route  to  freedom.  The  next  station  south  of  Mr.  Work's 
dwelling  was  that  of  the  well  known  Parker  Morse,  and  the  next  north 
Mr.  Wm.  Lewis,  of  Magnolia. 

The  first  appearance  of  slaves  here  who  seemed  to  come  upon  the 
regular  line  or  railway,  was  not  much  prior  to  1840.  Up  to  the  time  of 
the  death  of  the  father  of  James  and  Samuel  Work,  in  1842,  but  very  .ew 
colored  people  had  been  seen  on  this  route,  which  may  not  be  said  to  have 
got  into  regular  operation  until  about  this  date.  "We  knew  little  or 
nothing  of  those  who  were  agents  along  the  entire  line,"  says  Mr.  W., 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  559 

"  and  were  only  posted  as  to  the  stations  immediately  next  us  on  either 
side." 

Usually  the  negroes  were  transported  in  the  night  and  would  reach 
their  stopping  place  at  Work's  from  some  place  south,  about  bed  time, 
and  after  a  comfortable  lunch  lie  would  drive  them  to  Lewis's,  fourteen 
milss  away.  Mr.  W.  states  that  it  was  nothing  unusual  for  him  to  get  up 
in  the  night  and  drive  his  dusky  friends  to  the  next  place. 

Those  that  reached  a  stopping  place  at  or  near  morning,  the  careful 
"agents"  had  to  secrete  all  day  from  the  watchful  eyes  of  some  inquisi- 
tive Leighbor,  or  a  chance  traveler  or  detective  slave  hunter.  Mr.  W. 
frequently  hid  his  colored  guests  in  the  corn-field  or  the  deep  recesses  of 
the  ravines,  and  was  compelled  to  exercise  much  caution  to  keep  the  ex- 
uberance of  the  darkies'  spirits  down,  and  especially  was  he  vexed  with 
the  effervescence  of  juvenile  joyousness,  and  continually  feared  that  some 
"picaninny"  would  get  them  into  serious  trouble,  and  many  a  kinky- 
headed  youngster  came  along  in  those  days,  brim  full  of  music  and  mirth- 
fulness,  and  not  appreciating  the  risk  its  friends  were  taking  in  its  behalf, 
was  liable  at  any  moment  to  give  utterance  to  a  frantic  yell  of  African 
delight  at  its  novel  surroundings,  and  invite  pursuit  and  capture  and  the 
visitation  of  the  law  upon  its  self -sacrificing  white  friends.  Some  of  Mr. 
Work's  neighbors  and  near  relatives  were  strongly  opposed  to  his  course, 
and  threatened  to  inform  upon  him,  and  one  of  them  was  so  highly 
shocked  at  the  immorality  of  Mr.  W.'s  conduct  —  the  stealing  of  slaves 
—that  he  threatened  to  shoot  the  philanthropist. 

The  negroes  told  Mr.  W.  the  most  pitiful  stories  of  their  sufferings 
at  the  hands  of  their  late  masters,  and  exhibited  to  him  visible  and  un- 
healed  marks  of  the  "black-snake"  or  "raw-hide"  whip. 

During  his  residence  here  and  active  duties  in  the  cause  of  emancipa- 
tion, no  slave  was  recaptured,  and  he  knows  of  but  few  instances  where 
the  escaping  fugitive  had  been  followed  by  his  master  or  representative. 

The  slaves  who  were  indebted  to  this  particular  line  for  aid  and  com- 
fort came  chiefly  from  Missouri  and  Kentucky;  occasionally  one  from 
further  south  and  one  from  South  Carolina,  who,  bewildered  and  without 
the  aid  of  guides,  had  wandered  through  to  opposite  Cairo  before  being 
made  aware  that  he  had  lost  much  time  and  traveled  a  long  distance  out 
of  his  way. 

The  cause  of  their  self  emancipation  was  generally  cruelty  by  their 
owner  or  overseer,  though  they  all  seemed  to  have  a  holy  horror  of  being 


560  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

sold  to  the  planters  of  the  far  south.  Rumors  had  reached  them  from 
that  then  remote  region,  and  to  them  a  region  out  of  the  world,  where 
negroes  were  starved,  flogged,  beaten,  flayed  alive,  and  of  disease  and 
death  in  the  most  horrid  form.  Field  hands,  too,  were  in  demand,  and 
the  necessities  or  avarice  of  their  masters  knew  no  bonds  of  blood  or 
ties  of  kindred  among  their  poor  human  chattels;  to  be  sold  there  was  to 
forever  sever  husband  from  wife,  father  from  children,  lover  from  his 
affianced  —  in  short,  to  break  up  every  relation  that  mortal  holds  dear! 
To  avoid  this  sad  fate  many  of  them  took  every  chance  of  being  hunted 
down  like  flying  deer  from  the  hounds  and  the  hunters. 

Occasionally  large  numbers  would  arrive  at  once  seeking  Mr.  Work's 
attentions.  Once  he  had  ten  men  and  women  in  charge,  and  in  driving 
across  the  prairie  toward  Magnolia  in  the  night,  lost  his  way,  and  was  so 
belated  thereby  that  he  had  to  take  his  dark  cargo  through  that  village  in 
broad  day-light!  But  no  one  molested  him  or  gave  him  any  annoyance, 
though  there  were  several  prominent  citizens  there  who  were  strongly 
opposed  to  this  plan  of  freeing  the  negroes,  and  could  have  delivered  him 
up  to  the  cruel  punishment  of  the  law  had  they  been  so  disposed. 

During  the  ten  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  "driver"  on  this  road,  he 
thinks  he  has  taken  on  their  way  to  Canada  and  freedom,  on  an  average 
thirty  or  more  a  year.  For  some  of  the  slaves  he  so  helped  away  from 
their  owners  liberal  rewards  were  offered,  and  the  people  themselves  were 
worth  from  $250  to  $600  or  $700  each,  or  even  more.  The  many  hund- 
reds of  thousand  of  dollars  worth  of  these  human  goods  which  he  handled 
he  never  has  taken  the  trouble  to  figure  upon. 

Some  of  the  fugitives  were  very  ragged  and  none  of  them  had  money. 
They  were  of  all  shades  of  color,  from  the  jet  black  African  through  all 
the  gradations  to  nearly  thai  of  the  pure  Caucasian !  Among  them  were 
husbands  who  had  left  their  wives,  wives  who  had  departed  from  their 
husbands,  mothers  who  had  their  children  to  mourn  for  ,-till  in  bondage, 
and  every  phase  of  the  sad  picture  that  could  be  imagined  was  to  them  a 
full  hideous  reality. 

He  never  asked  them  to  work,  for  it  would  have  been  an  unsafe  exper- 
iment even  had  he  so  desired.  The  only  thought  he  had  was  to  hurry 
them  away  beyond  all  possibility  of  capture.  The  "Liberty  Party,"  as 
the  small  political  faction  to  which  he  belonged  was  called,  was  very 
weak  in  those  days. 

In  1844  James  G.  Birney,  for  President,  received  but  three  votes  in 


THE    ttNDERGROUND    RAILROAb.  561 

many  miles  of  territory,  and  they  were  Hoyt,  and  James  and  Samuel 
Work,  and  these  brave  men  who  had  done  so  well  and  risked  so  much  for 
the  cause  of  freedom,  were  sneered  at  and  pointed  out  with  derision .  and 
scorned  and  despised  by  the  community,  but  they  were  sincere  abolition- 
ists and  voted  as  they  practiced. 

Now  and  then  they  held  meetings  of  the  brethren,  sometime  at  Mr. 
Work's  and  at  other  times  at  Morse's  cabin,  where  these  fearless  men  and 
women  gathered  and  received  such  aid  and  encouragement  in  their  labors 
as  they  could  give  one  another,  when  not  cheered  by  the  presence  of  the 
great  leaders,  whose  names  have  been  previously  mentioned.  At  these 
gatherings  they  were  threatened  with  violence  and  saluted  with  rotten 
eggs  and  other  equally  objectionable  marks  of  displeasure  by  their  bitter 
neighbors,  but  they  lived  through  it  all,  and  most  of  them  to  see  the  per- 
fect triumph  and  reward  of  their  labors. 

SLAVE    HUNTERS    FOILED. 

In  1837  Alexander  Ross,  living  near  Hennepin,  while  on  his  way  to 
Galena,  when  a  few  miles  beyond  Princeton  encountered  a  couple  of  slave 
hunters  returning  with  two  young  and  attractive  mulatto  girls  who  had 
escaped  from  slavery.  The  sight  of  the  weeping  girls  aroused  all  his 
manly  sympathies  at  once.  Ross  was  a  Democrat,  but  not  of  the  pro- 
slavery  type,  and  he  formed  a  resolution  to  rescue  and  save  the  victims  if 
possible.  So  he  proclaimed  himself  a  bitter  anti-abolitionist,  and  de- 
nounced the  "slave  stealers,"  as  he  called  them,  in  fearful  terms.  The 
men  were  glad  to  meet  one  so  much  after  their  own  heart,  and  asked  his 
opinion  as  to  how  they  could  best  get  away  with  their  chattels  and  escape 
the  fury  of  the  Abolitionists.  He  promptly  told  them  of  a  friend  of  his 
at  Princeton  who  was  "all  right,"  and  offered  to  pilot  them  to  his  house. 
His  proffered  services  being  gladly  accepted,  they  arrived  and  were  duly 
quartered  for  the  night,  when  Ross  volunteered  to  sit  up  and  guard  the 
slaves  from  any  attempt  at  rescue.  As  soon  as  all  was  quiet  the  cunning 
conspirator  and  the  lady  of  the  house  roused  the  girls  and  took  them  in  a 
cutter  to  James  W.  Willis,  at  Florid,  where  they  safely  arrived,  and  he 
returned  to  Princeton  by  daylight  next  morning.  The  men  awoke,  en- 
quired after  their  property,  and  lo !  the  birds  had  flown.  Ross  was  found 
at  his  post,  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  just,  where  he  appeared  to  have  been 
all  night,  and,  as  he  claimed,  from  the  fatigue  of  watching  had  "fallen 


562  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

asleep  in  spite  of  himself."  He  was  really  asleep,  and  with  some  difficulty 
was  aroused,  and  it  took  some  time  to  make  him  aware  of  what  had  hap- 
pened—  his  head  being  unusually  "thick"  011  this  occasion.  When  he 
realized  what  had  occurred  he  seemed  very  much  chagrined,  and  blamed 
himself  severely  for  his  inability  to  keep  awake.. 

He  promptly  volunteered  to  help  the  fellows  find  their  property,  and 
led  them  many  a  wild  goose  chase  about  the  town  and  country,  but  all  to 
no  purpose,  and  finally  left  them  and  pursued  his  journey  to  the  land 
office.  In  the  mean  time  Mr.  Willis  and  other  friends  of  the  cause  started 
the  girls  on  their  way  to  a  safer  retreat. 

THF.    MAGNOLIA    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD    DEPOT. 

4 

The  managers  of  the  Underground  Railroad  line  for  this  section  of 
country  were  the  Lewis  brothers,  William  and  Jehu,  the  former,  however, 
the  chief  and  ever  active  superintendent.  There  were  two  branches  of  the 
road  from  the  South,  which  united  at  William  Lewis'  house,  one  from 
Parker  Morse's,  in  Woodf ord,  and  the  other  from  Nathaniel  Smith's,  at  the 
south-western  corner  of  Marshall  County. 

From  William  Lewis'  house  the  escaping  negroes  were  usually  taken 
to  Chester  Duryee's,  at  Lowell,  in  La  Salle  County ;  but  occasionally  some 
were  sent  to  Union  Grove,  a  few  miles  north  of  Clear  Creek,  where  there 
lived  several  sympathizers  in  the  cause  of  the  slave.  The  Lewises,  though 
Virginians  by  birth,  were  thorough  Abolitionists,  and  earnest  and  active 
workers  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

Once  an  old  grey-headed  negro  Came  along,  who  wore  a  pair  of  specta- 
cles one  glass  of  which  was  gone  and  the  other  badly  cracked.  He  "was 
wrinkled,  and  had  but  little  hair  upon  his  cranium.  He  could  give  but 
little  account  of  himself  save  that  he  had  "runned  away  from  marsser,  on 
de  Knaw  way,  in  ole  Virginny,"  and  that  he  had  "heerd  that  de  Norf  star 
would  lead  him  to  a  Ian'  ob  liberty;"  and  he  had  "follered  it  ebber  sence 
he  left  Knaw  way."  He  had  picked  out  the  brightest  star  he  could  dis- 
cover in  the  north-west,  probably  Sirius,  and  thus  he  traveled  mostly  by 
night,  heading  his  course  toward  that  far  off  luminary.  Mr.  Lewis  gave 
him  better  advice  and  stalled  him  on  a  nearer  route. 

Once  there  came  an  intelligent  black  woman,  whose  back  and  should- 
ers yet  showed  the  marks  of  a  recent  terrible  flaggelation  at  the  hands  of 
her  master.  It  was  her  fourth  attempt  at  escape,  and  this  time  'she  was 


THE    tJNbEKGROtIND    RAILROAD.  563 

successful.  She  reached  Canada  in  safety,  and  wrote  a  touching  letter  of 
thanks  to  her  friends. 

Another  slave  came  to  Mr.  Lewis'  care,  who  was  so  near  white  as  to 
escape  suspicion.  He  was  a  blacksmith  who  worked  some  time  at  his 
trade  and  received  liberal  wages.  His  master  in  Kentucky  was  his  own 
half  brother  !  He  at  length  left  here  and  went  to  Chicago,  when  his  mas- 
ter wrote  him  a  touching  letter,  promising  all  things  that  the  young  man 
could  desire  if  he  would  return  to  the  family.  The  relationship  was 
acknowledged,  and  the  family  joined  in  imploring  their  own  dear  "  Ed- 
ward "  to  come  home ;  but  he  had  tasted  of  freedom,  and  breathed  the  air 
of  liberty  and  equality.  While  not  doubting  the  sincerity  'of  his  relatives, 
yet  he  dreaded  the  possible  consequences  which  the  laws  then  entailed 
upon  a  runaway  slave  and  refused  to  return.  Thisfcletter  he  sent  to  Mr. 
Lewis,  whose  family  still  have  it  in  their  possession. 

Among  the  fugitives  at  different  times  were  several  young  girls, 
nearly  white.  They  did  not  escape  because  of  harsh  treatment  or  any 
indignity,  but  simply  to  avoid  the  consequences  that  slavery  was  sure  to 
bring  upon  them  sooner  or  later  by  being  sold  to  go  South,  or  become  the 
victims  of  brutal  men,  restrained  by  no  law,  moral,  social  or  Divine,  in 
their  treatment  of  the  unfortunate  females  who  added  youth,  beauty  and 
gracefulness  to  other  charms  of  their  sex. 

PARKER    MORSE. 

The  apostle  of  anti-slavery  in  Woodford  County  was  Parker  Morse, 
who  died  in  1878,  and  the  story  of  the  organization  of  the  Underground 
Railroad  we  are  prompted  to  give  from  his  own  lips.  It  was  as  follows : 

About  1839  a  poor  negro  slave,  who  had  been  captured  by  his  master, 
chained  by  the  wrists  and  legs  was  driven  past  his  place,  on  his  way  back 
to  bondage.  The  sight  made  his  blood  boil,  and  Mr.  Morse  resolved 
from  that  time  onward  to  be  an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

Not  long  afterward  Deacon  John  Morse,  of  Mt.  Hope,  McLean  County, 
Illinois,  a  man  of  the  same  name  but  not  a  relative,  called  and  laid  before 
him  the  outlines  of  a  prospective  method  of  helping  escaping  negro 
slaves  on  their  way  to  Canada.  The  plan  seemed  at  once  so  entirely 
feasible,  and  withal  so  philanthropic,  that  he  had  no  hesitancy  in  en- 
listing in  the  scheme.  After  dinner  the  two  proceeded  to  the  residence 
of  Mr.  John  Lewis,  near  Magnolia,  and  on  the  road  "  stuck  the  stakes  for 


564  bEcofcos  OF  THE  OLDEK  TIME. 

a  track."  Lewis  went  forward  to  Lowell,  LaSalle  County,  where  he  es- 
tablished a  station,  and  soon  stopping  places  were  fixed  at  regular  inter- 
vals to  Chicago,  and  thence  to  Canada.  To  the  south  of  Morse's,  depots 
were  arranged  on  two  or  three  lines:  one  through  Springfield,  Bloomington, 
etc.,  and  another  from  Delavan  and  Washington,  Tazewell  County.  A 
branch  line  raiTfrom  the  latter  point  up  west  of  the  Illinois  River.  By 
this  arrangement  slaves  from  Kentucky  or  Missouri,  on  crossing  into  Illi- 
nois, were  taken  charge  of  by  the  first  station-keeper  and  by  him  carried, 
almost  invariably  in  the  night,  to  the  next  depot,  where  they  were  fed 
and  secreted  till  the  following  evening,  and  by  the  agent  there  carried  to 
the  next  place,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  their  journey. 

One  of  the  most  aftive  workers  in  the  anti-slavery  cause  was  Deacon 
Nathaniel  Smith,  of  Lawn  Ridge,  a  God-fearing  blacksmith  and  member 
of  the  church  militant,  who  could  strike  hard  blows  in  debate  and  back 
them  up  if  need  be  with  sledge  hammer  accompaniments  in  defense  of 
right.  He  assisted  many  slaves  on  the  road  to  freedom,  and  was  always 
ready  to  turn  out  by  day  or  night  with  his  team.  The  first  human  chattel 
that  passed  through  his  hands  was  a  closely  pressed  negro,  who  was 
brought  from  Princeville  hid  beneath  a  feather  bed.  He  safely  delivered 
him  at  the  next  station.  The  next  was  a  poor  fugitive,  who  lay 
hid  under  a  bridge  at  Farmington  all  day,  while  the  pursuers  raged  all 
around  him.  A  third  was  concealed  some  time  beneath  a  brush  heap. 
One  was  a  Baptist  minister  of  the  gospel.  Once  there  came  a  load  of 
seven  in  a  covered  wagon.  One  of  the  party  lay  beneath  a  log  when  his 
master  on  horseback  jumped  over  it  without  finding  him.  A  lady  nearly 
white  came  along,  who  had  been  a  slave  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ely,  of  Balti- 
more. She  was  stewardess  on  a  boat,  and  finding  her  saintly  owner 
designed  selling  her  planned  an  escape  and  got  safely  through,  but  her 
husband,  who  was  a  free  man,  was  arrested  for  assisting  her  and  served  a 
long  term  in  a  Southern  penitentiary. 

A  young  man  came  through  from  Farmiugton  who  was  hidden  beneath 
a  wagon  box  upon  which  his  master,  who  was  searching  for  him,  sat  down 
with  an  assistant  and  talked  over  their  plans.  They  asked  the  "agent"  if 
the  fugitive  was  about,  and  were  told  they  could  search  the  premises. 

Mr.  Smith's  house  became  noted,  and  he  was  once  honored  with  a 
column  notice  in  the  St.  Louis  Republican,  to  which  he  replied. 

Once  he  traveled  in  the  stage  with  an  irate  slave-holder  searching  for 


THE    UNDERGROUND   RAILROAD.  565 

fugitives,  and  after  learning  all  the  latter's  plans,  disclosed  himself.  The 
man  evinced  a  strong  desire  to  make  mince-meat  of  the  Abolitionist,  but 
the  latter's  brawny  fists  and  resolute  demeanor  convinced  him  that  discre- 
tion was  the  better  part  of  valor. 

A    NEGRO   IN   THE   FAMILY    BED. 

[NOTE  BY  THE  EDITOR  : — The  incident  related  below  is  a  fact,  duly  attested  by  a  son  of 
the  party  referred  to,  who  gives  it  for  publication  under  a  promise  that  names  be  sup- 
pressed. The  act  is  so  creditable  to  all  concerned  that  we  regret  we  cannot  give  them.] 

About  1 840  there  resided  in  Marshall  County,  off  from  the  line  of  the 
Underground  Railroad,  a  "dyed  in  the  wool  Democrat"  and  inveterate 
hater  of  Abolitionists,  whom  he  regarded  as  the  paid  servants  of  evil.  At 
heart  he  was  the  kindest  of  men,  deeply  sympathetic,  and  when  strongly 
moved  capable  of  doing  anything  his  conscience  approved.  He  believed 
in  the  sanctity  of  legal  enactments,  and  while,  perhaps,  disapproving  the 
universally  condemned  "Fugitive  Slave  bill,"  gave  the  laws  enacted  for 
its  enforcement  his  hearty  support.  He  considered  Abolitionists  and  those 
aiding  the  escape  of  Negroes  as  disorganizes  of  the  worst  class,  and 
declaimed  against  them  in  public  and  private;  nevertheless,  in  his  heart 
of  hearts  he  nouiished  a  love  of  justice  so  strong  as  to  lead  him  to  do  that 
for  the  Negro  not  the  most  enthusiastic  lover  of  the  black  man  would. 
This  sentiment  was  probably  unknown  to  himself — certainly  not  sus- 
pected by  the  "conductors"  of  the  line,  who  gave  his  premises  a  wide 
berth  when  taking  fugitives  through. 

One  winter  morning  he  had  risen  earlier  than  usual,  and  going  to  the 
door  beheld  the  crouching  form  of  a  strange  Negro.  His  first  impulse 
was  to  roughly  order  him  to  begone,  but  there  was  something  in  the  man's 
countenance  and  manner  that  led  him  to  listen  to  his  story. 

Falling  on  his  knees,  with  hands  uplifted  and  tears  streaming  down 
his  bronzed  cheeks,  he  told  his  story  of  wrong  and  misery,  and  besought 
him,  by  the  love  of  his  wife,  his  children,  and  all  he  held  dear,  to  protect 
him.  Briefly  told,  he  was  raised  by  an  indulgent  master  in  Ken- 
tucky and  had  happily  married  an  estimable  woman  —  an  upper  servant 
in  the  household.  Two  children  were  born  to  them,  and  though  a  slave 
his  fetters  were  light  and  he  had  no  longings  for  greater  freedom.  In 
time  his  master  died  and  the  estate  and  servants  were  sold,  himself  and 


566  SECONDS    OF    THE    Ot,DEtt   TIME. 

family  separated;  he  to  go  on  a  plantation  up  the  Red  River,  and  his 
wife  became  the  property  of  a  lecherous,  brutal  villain  of  the  vicinity. 

Together  they  formed  a  plan  of  esca'pe,  and  leaving  their  little  ones 
behind  fled  northward,  crossing  the  Ohio  River  in  a  skiff  loaned  by  a 
friendly  black  man.  They  were  entirely  unaided,  and  knew  nothing  of 
the  country  or  the  inhabitants,  but  lay  hid  in  the  woods  by  day  and  trav- 
eled only  at  night. 

They  had  reached  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield,  and  deem- 
ing themselves  safe,  ventured  to  travel  by  day.  In  the  meantime  their 
owners  had  traversed  the  country  far  and  wide,  scattering  hand-bills  and 
offering  liberal  rewards  for  their  apprehension.  Through  these  they  were 
recognized,  apprehended  and  remanded  to  slavery.  From  the  first  they 
were  separated,  and  no  communication  allowed.  He  found  a  way  of 
ridding  himself  of  his  handcuffs  while  en  route  with  his  captor 
knocked  him  down,  and  jumping  from  the  wagon  dashed  into 
an  impenetrable  swamp,  where  he  laid  until  night,  and  then,  with  the 
north  star  for  his  guide,  struck  out  for  freedom  again.  By  some  means 
his  pursiiers  had  got  on  his  track  once  more,  and  might  be  expected  at  any 
moment. 

His  story,  told  with  all  the  eloquence  that  a  man  in  his  situation  must 
feel,  his  piteous  appeals  for  mercy  and  succor,  wakened  the  deepest  feel- 
ings of  the  farmer's  heart,  and  he  determined  that  at  least  he  would  not 
inform  on  him.  At  this  moment  two  horsemen  were  discovered  far  off 
on  the  prairie,  riding  hard  in  the  direction  of  his  house.  Telling  the 
negro  to  step  inside  (he  had  not  been  discovered),  he  walked  down  to  the 
gate  to  meet  them  and  learned  as  he  expected  they  were  in  pursuit  of  the 
runaway,  whom  they  had  every  reason  to  believe  was  concealed  some- 
where about  the  premises.  One  of  the  party  he  recognized  as  a  small 
pettifogger  from  a  neighboring  town  (for  whom,  by  the  way,  he  enter- 
tained the  reverse  of  friendly  feelings),  and  the  other  was  a  low  browed 
bully,  armed  with  a  long  whip,  while  a  pair  of  handcuffs  were  suspended 
from  his  saddle.  Briefly  they  explained  that  their  "nigger"  had  given 
them  the  slip — that  they  had  the  necessary  authority  and  were  going  to 
take  him  back  if  found,  dead  or  alive. 

They  did  not  know  it,  but  about  this  time  the  farmer  made  up  his 
mind  that  the  negro  should  be  saved,  and  the  fellows  before  him  sent 
away  empty  handed.  Telling  them  to  hitch  their  beasts  while  he  finished 
his  toilet,  he  stepped  inside  with  a  strong  belief  in  his  mind  that  some- 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  567 

body  then  and  there  was  about  to  break  the  law,  for  come  what  would  he 
was  determined  they  should  not  get  possession  of  the  negro.  There 
crouching  in  one  corner  was  his  man  and  in  another  was  the  family  bed, 
from  which  his  wife  had  not  yet  risen.  •'  Get  into  my  place  in  bed,"  said 
he,  and  his  tones  indicated  he  meant  it.  His  wife  would  have  remon- 
strated, but  a  warning  "  hush  "  and  steps  at  the  door  stopped  further  con- 
ference. The  men  entered  and  were  told  to  search  the  premises  well. 
He  wanted  no  niggers  about  him,  and  "  if  the  black  rascal  had  been 
hiding  there  he  hoped  he  would  be  found."  Of  course  the  man  was  not 
found,  but  was  cared  for  during  the  day  and  when  night  came  helped  on 
his  way  rejoicing. 

The  incident  related  above  recalls  to  mind  a  negro  barber  whom  we 
knew  at  McGregor,  Iowa,  in  1859.  His  name  was  Cromwell,  and  he  was 
intelligent  beyond  his  station.  We  often  tried  to  learn  his  histoiy,  but 
he  was  averse  to  talking  upon  the  subject,  and  claimed  he  never  was  a 
slave,  but  the  gleam  of  his  eye  when  talking  showed  that  he  felt  more 
than  he  dare  utter.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  race 
and  when  the  emancipation  proclamation  was  issued  and  a  call  made  for 
colored  troops  sold  his  business  and  went  South.  He  made  a  very 
creditable  record  during  the  war,  was  at  the  assatilt  on  the  rebel  fort  at 
Petersburg,  was  blown  up  at  the  explosion  that  killed  Colonel  Bross,  and 
when  mustered  out  was  Captain  in  a  colored  regiment.  Afterward  he 
settled  in  New  Orleans  was  elected  State  Senator,  and  in  1875  was  one  of 
a  delegation  that  visited  Chicago.  He  there  met  an  old  time  friend  of 
the  writer,  and  at  his  request  narrated  his  slave  life,  detailing  an  ex- 
perience identical  with  what  is  here  related.  After  leaving  his  enter- 
tainer's premises  he  made  his  may  straight  to  Canada,  crossing  the  Detroit 
River  ten  miles  above  the  city  of  that  name.  He  worked  at  his  trade  in 
Hamilton  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  1855  visited  his  old  home,  hoping 
to  find  his  wife  and  children,  but  only  learned  the  former  died  with  grief 
soon  after  her  re-capture,  and  of  his  children  nothing  was  known.  With 
a  sorrowful  heart  he  turned  northward,  and  under  an  assumed  name 
settled  at  McGregor. 


CAUGHT    A    TARTAR. 


A  negro  named  Wilson  had  an  eventful  time  in  trying  to  get  his  wife, 
to  Canada.  He  first  ran  away  from  his  master  in  Kentucky,  made  a  small 
home  in  Canada  and  returned  for  his  wife,  but  was  caught  and  put  to 


568  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

work  under  a  guard.  In  a  little  time  he  got  away  again  and  returned  to 
Canada.  Again  he  returned  for  his  "other  half,"  but  was  unsuccessful, 
and  the  second  time  caught.  Nothing  daunted,  he  got  away  once  more, 
went  back,  put  in  another  crop  and  returned  to  meet  with  a  similar  fate. 
In  the  meantime  his  wife  died.  The_  poor  fellow  having  no  othei  tie  in 
that  cruel  country,  again  made  his  escape.  He  was  plodding  his  way  on 
foot,  brooding  upon  bis  misfortunes,  and  while  passing  a  farm  in  Peoria 
County,  observed  a  farmer  stop  his  team  where  he  was  plowing  and 
approach  the  road.  Wilson  put  his  hand  in  his  pocket  and  grasped  his 
knife.  The  farmer,  smelling  a  reward,  shouted  in  an  authoritative 
manner,  "You  're  my  prisoner!"  Wilson  simply  remarked  when  he 
reached  the  next  station  on  the  Underground  Railroad,  "Guess  he  won't 
be  so  anxious  to  'rest  an  udder  culled  pusson."  A  neighbor  who  met  the 
farmer  shortly  after  said  he  looked  as  though  he  had  been  run  through  a 
corn  cracker,  and  there  was  an  ugly  cut  on  the  arm  that  disabled  him  a 
long  time. 

WHITE    SLAVES. 

Mr.  Morse  is  of  the  opinion  that  eight-tenths  of  all  the  escaping  slaves 
had  white  bood  in  their  veins.  Among  the  many  who  passed  through 
was  a  handsome  young  girl  with  pure  blue  eyes,  thin,  evenly-formed 
features,  a  straight  nose  and  auburn  hair,  falling  in  ringlets  down  her 
back.  It  was  not  kinky  or  wavy,  but  in  natural  curls. 

On  another  occasion  two  sisters  stopped  there,  who  seemed  the  per- 
fection of  grace  and  loveliness.  Their  lips  were  neither  too  thick  nor  yet 
too  thin ;  their  skin  was  fair  and  their  cheeks  bloomed  with  nature's  roses; 
their  hair  in  long  ringlets  of  a  light  brown  color,  their  feet  small  and 
without  the  African  heel,  the  nose  Grecian  without  flaring  nostrils,  and  the 
eyes  a  bright,  tender  blue.  On  one  side  their  parents  had  been  white  for 
generations;  on  the  other  a  grand-mother  was  partly  colored.  Themselves, 
and  parents  belonged  to  an  aristocratic  family,  but  reverses  and  imprudent 
speculations  had  ruined  the  estate  and  they  were  about  to  be  sold,  and  so 
wisely  sought  their  freedom. 

Afterwards  came  a  little  girl,  so  purely  Caucasian  in  form  and  features 
that  no  one  could  believe  she  was  aught  else.  Mrs.  Morse  was  strongly 
tempted  to  keep  her  and  finish  the  education  her  mistress  had  begun,  and 
adopt  her  into  the  family;  but  fearing  to  create  an  attachment  that  might 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  5()9 

be  broken  by  the  southern  master,  she  let  the  child  go  on  her  way  with  a 
devout  prayer  for  her  future  happiness. 

Moses  Pettengill,  of  Peoria,  is  a  life  long  Abolitionist,  who  proved  his 
faith  by  his  works  in  the  cause  of  human  freedom.  He  was  once  ap- 
pealed to  by  a  friend  named  Brown,  living  east  of  Peoria,  to  aid  him  in 
helping  two  men,  a  woman  and  several  children  on  the  road  to  freedom. 
He  had  started  with  them  the  night  before  and  was  turned  back  at  the 
Peoria  bridge  with  threats  of  being  shot  if  he  persisted.  A  friend  of  his 
ran  a  boat  upon  the  liver  in  whom  he  could  confide,  and  to  him  he  sent 
the  women  and  children,  and  came  to  Mr.  Pettengill  to  aid  in  getting  the 
men  through.  As  handbills  were  posted  all  around  accurately  describing 
them,  and  offering  large  rewards  for  their  apprehension,  it  was  not  safe 
for  them  to  be  seen.  So  P.  arranged  to  meet  his  friend  across  the  river 
at  ten  o'clock  that  night  with  a  skiff.  He  then  engaged  two  trusty  young 
men,  one  of  whom  was  Josiah  Babcock,  now  a  prominent  business  man  of 
Galesburg,  to  assist.  The  men  were  safely  brought  across,  given  a  good 
supper  prepared  by  Mrs.  P.,  and  before  daylight  safely  delivered  toChas. 
Stone,  at  Lawn  Ridge,  who  forwarded  them  on  their  way.  One  of  the 
negroes  was  the  husband  of  the  woman  and  father  of  the  children  previ- 
ously referred  to,  and .  had  been  owned  by  a  Christian  widow  woman  not 
far  from  St.  Louis,  from  whom  he  rented  the  services  of  himself  and 
and  wife,  paying  them  $200  yearly.  But  hard  times  came,  and  finding 
he  could  not  support  them  and  pay  his  mistress  the  exhorbitant  sum 
demanded  he  determined  to  escape.  To  get  safely  out  of  the  city 
was  the  difficulty,  and  to  accomplish  it  he  bargained  with  a  close- 
mouthed,  mercenary  farmer,  living  in  Jerseyville,  111.,  to  convey  himself 
and  family  boxed  up  as  merchandise  to  his  destination,  giving  him  in  ad- 
vance $50.00 — every  penny  he  possessed.  Imagine  if  we  can  their  con- 
dition. The  man  in  one  box,  the  woman  and  children  in  the  other,  driven 
slowly  over  the  rough  broken  roads,  incapable  of  changing  their  positions, 
uttering  a  word,  or  getting  a  breath  of  fresh  air,  and  compelled  to  remain 
so  all  the  day  long.  It  was  fifty-two  miles  of  agony,  and  for  sixteen 
hours  they  eriaured  it.  How  inexpressibly  dear  must  be  the  boon  of  free- 
dom purchased  at  such  dreadful  hazard. 

Another  instance  is  remembered  where  a  slave-catcher  was  baffled,  oc- 
curred a  year  later,  at  Florid.  A  couple  of  slaves,  a  woman  and  her 


570  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

daughter,  traveling  by  the  Underground  Railroad,  had  reached  Win.  M. 
Stewart's,  and  were  stopping  for  the  night.  While  there,  a  sharp  fellow, 
who  claimed  to  own  the  fugitives,  appeared  and  demanded  them.  He  too 
remained  over  night,  when,  to  gain  time,  Mr.  Stewart  had  him  arrested 
on  a  charge  of  attempted  kidnapping.  The  slave  hunter,  familiar  with 
our  odious  laws,  managed  his  own  case  and  cleared  himself,  but  the  wo- 
men in  the  meantime  had  been  hidden  in  Geo.  McCoy's  smoke-house,  and 
couldn't  be  found.  They  got  away  safely.  Ten  years  afterward  Mr. 
McCoy,  while  passing  through  Indiana  in  the  timber,  passing  araeat  com- 
fortable cabin,  was  astonished  by  hearing  his  name  spoken  by  a  good 
looking  black  woman,  who  proved  to  be  one  of  the  two  above  mentioned. 
She  had  since  married  and  was  in  happy  circumstances,  and  her  mother 
also  lived  near  by  and  was  satisfactorily  provided  for. 

*In  1849,  a  young  slave  named  John,  ran  away  from  his  master  in 
Missouri,  located  in  Princeton,  and  became  quite  a  favorite  among  the 
people.  His  master  hearing  of  his  whereabouts  and  accompanied  by  a 
friend  to  prove  property,  came  after  him.  The  slave  was  mowing  in  an 
out  lot  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  and  did  not  observe  the  slave 
catchers  until  they  came  upon  him,  each  of  whom  presented  a  pistol  to 
his  head,  which  caused  him  to  make  no  resistance.  His  hands  were  tied 
behind  him,  and  his  master  holding  one  end  of  the  rope  led  him  like  a  dog 
through  the  streets  of  the  town.  News  of  the  boy's  capture  flew  like 
lightning,  and  people,  much  excited,  were  seen  running  hither  and  thither, 
marshaling  their  forces  for  the  rescue.  A  warrant  was  issued  and  the 
slave  catchers  arrested  on  a  charge  of  kidnapping,  and  with  the  slave  were 
taken  to  the  Court  House  for  trial.  The  court  room  was  filled  with  ex- 
cited people,  some  of  whom  sympathized  with  the  slave  and  others  his 
master.  While  the  trial  was  progressing  some  one  cut  the  rope  that 
bound  the  slave,  and  during  the  confusion  he  escaped  from  the  court  room 
followed  by  the  excited  crowd,  some  to  catch  and  others  to  assist  him  in 
making  his  escape.  A  horse  with  a  woman's  saddle  on  was  hitched  in  the 
street,  on  which  they  placed  the  slave  and  ordered  him  to  ride  with  all 
speed  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Lovejoy,  which  he  did,  followed  by  the  court 
and  excited  people.  The  house  of  Mr.  Lovejoy  was  quickly  surrounded, 
some  to  protect  and  others  to  capture  the  slave.  Behind  the  barn  a  man 
was  seen  to  mount  a  horse,  and  a  cry  was  raised,  "  There  goes  the  negro." 

*  MaUon's  Reminiscences  of  Bureau  County. 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  571 

f 

The  slave  party  put  their  horses  at  full  speed  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive, 
who  had  taken  across  the  prairie  in  the  direction  of  Dover,  but  on  coming 
up  with  him  they  were  surprised  to  find  instead  of  the  negro  Mr.  Waldo 
with  a  black  vail  over  his  face.  The  slave  party  attempted  to  force  an 
entrance  into  the  house,  but  Mr.  Lovejoy  forbid  them  doing  so  without 
due  process  of  law.  A  messenger  was  sent  for  a  search  warrant,  and 
while  they  were  waiting  for  his  return,  the  boy  in  disguise,  with  a  basket 
on  his  arm,  went  to  the  barn.  Behind  the  barn  a  wagon  was  standing, 
into  which  the  slave  was  placed  arid  covered  up  with  empty  bags.  This 
wagon  was  driven  quietly  away,  and  the  sla  e  escaped  while  the  slave 
party  stood  guard  around  Mr.  Lovejoy's  house,  waiting  for  a  search 
wan-ant. 

While  the  new  Court  House  in  Hennepin  was  being  built,  a  negro 
slave  was  caught  by  an  unusually  keen  detective,  and  the  poor  fugitive 
was  put  in  the  basement  of  the  Court  House  for  safe  keeping.  There 
seemed  to  be  no  weak  point  in  the  testimony,  and  under  the  law  there 
was  no  option  but  to  remand  the  unhappy  fellow  back  to  slavery.  Aboiit 
forty  of  the  citizens  by  that  mysterious  sort  of  mutual  understanding 
which  prevailed  in  communities  of  Abolitionists  in  those  days  got  to- 
together,  Mr.  Flagg,  who  built  the  Court  Hoxise,  engineering  the  scheme. 
The  men  met  in  the  brick  yard,  where  John  Williams  was  making 
brick  for  the  building,  and  by  means  of  a  pole  broke  in  the  door  and  got 
the  negro,  put  him  in  a  carriage  and  spirited  him  away,  and  the  slave- 
hunter,  who  was  a  trembling  spectator  of  part  of  the  scene,  mounted  his 
horse  and  fled  for  Kentucky,  where  mob  law  was  not  so  fashionable. 

Wm.  Lewis,  the  "agent"  of  the  Underground  Railroad  at  Magnolia, 
whose  cabin  standing  on  the  prairie  a  half  mile  north  of  Clear  Creek,  was 
the  depot,  took  a  just  degree  of  pride  in  his  work  in  behalf  of  freedom. 
At  Vermilionville,  east  of  his  place,  Mr.  Jenks,  also  a  hot  Abolitionist, 
kept  another  stopping  place  for  fugitives,  and  Lewis  frequently  carried 
escaping  darkies  from  his  cabin  to  that  of  the  Jenk's  "station."  At 
one  time  he  took  a  wagon  load  of  these  people  over  to  his  neighbors  on 
Vermillion  River,  stopping  on  the  way  to  call  the  settlers  out  to  see  his 
"black birds,"  as  he  facetiously  termed  them. 

A  costly  chattel  once  went  through  Mr.  Morse's  hands.  He  had  been 
a  steward  on  a  New  Orleans  and  St.  Louis  packet.  In  those  days  no 


572  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

negro  could  leave  home  without  a  pass  from  some  competent  authority. 
Purposely  remaining  concealed  one  day  until  the  boat  had  been  gone  a 
couple  of  hours;  he  went  in  great  haste  to  the  Captain  of  a  boat  in 
the  same  trade,  and  explaining  his  detention  asked  him  to  give  a  "pass" 
allowing  him  to  go  on  the  first  packet  and  overtake  his  master.  He  did 
overtake,  and  passed  him  by,  going  clear  past — to  St.  Louis  and  a  land 
of  liberty,  beyond  Lake  Erie. 

On  one  occasion  a  bright,  intelligent  mulatto  came  along.  He  was  a 
valuable  chattel  belonging  to  D.  A.  January,  a  well  known  citizen  of  St. 
Louis,  who  determined,  if  possible,  to  effect  the  boy's  capture.  A  trusty 
agent  was  sent  over  the  route,  scattering  hand-bills  offering  a  reward  of 
$1,000  for  his  arrest,  and  personally  called  upon  Mr.  Morse,  the  chattel  in 
the  mean  time  being  safely  hidden  in  the  barn.  It  was  the  nearest  he 
ever  came  to  a  thousand  dollars,  but  it  had  no  temptations  for.  hirn. 

Many  of  the  escaping  fugitives  were  armed,  and  sooner  than  be  taken, 
would  have  used  their  weapons.  Mr.  Morse  told  the  fugitives  to  never 
show  their  arms  unless  forced  to,  and  then  "strike  hard  and  spare  not." 
A  mulatto  named  Free,  living  at  Springfield,  had  a  fine  team  of  horses, 
and  plie-i  regularly  between  Springfield  and,  Chicago,  helping  many  a 
slave  to  freedom.  He  was  once  pursued  and  shot,  near  Washington,  111., 
but  upon  displaying  an  old  rusty  musket  his  three  assailants  fled  in  mortal 
terror,  and  he  delivered  his  load  safely.  The  shot  lamed  him  for  life. 

Among  the  friends  of  the  slaves  and  active  workers  in  his  liberation 
Mr.  Morse  remembers  Deacon  John  Morse,  of  Mt.  Hope;  Rev.  Mr.  Hurl- 
burt,  William  Lewis,  Samuel  and  James  Work,  the  Messrs.  Dillon,  near 
Tremont;  the  Roberts  brothers,  Mr.  Mathews,  of  the  same  locality;  Mr. 
George  Kern  and  boys,  near  Washington;  Patterson  and  Randolph  Scott, 
Mr.  Chase,  Mr.  Bayne,  and  a  few  others. 

Aaron  Payne  was  a  good  Christian,  but  reared  in  the  South  he  firmly 
believed  in  the  divinity  of  slavery,  and  bitterly  opposed  the  advocates  of 
freedom.  During  the  anti-slavery  excitement  an  enthusiastic  meeting  was 
once  held  at  the  log  school  house  on  Clear  Creek,  north  of  Magnolia,  and 
addresses  and  sermons  on  the  subject  delivered  by  such  workers  as  Benj. 
Lundy,  Owen  Lovejoy  and  Richard  Codding.  Aaron  Payne  attended  one 
of  these  gatherings,  and  created  a  feaiiul  explosion  by  getting  up  and 


THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD.  573 

denouncing  the  meeting  and  its  object  as  an  affront  to  the  Almighty,  who 
had  created  the  negro  and  condemned  the  race  to  be  the  slaves  of  white 
men,  and  the  institution  being  of  Divine  origin,  countenanced  and  ap- 
proved by  the  Creator,  in  both  the  old  and  new  testaments,  could  not  be 
assailed  by  human  hands  without  sacrilege  and  sin.  The  old  pro-slavery 
preacher  was  not  allowed  to  finish  his  remarks,  having  been  hustled  out 
of  the  presence  of  the  offended  congregation,  and  nothing  but  his  personal 
popularity  and  known  goodness  of  heart  saved  him  from  being  roughly 
handled.  He  departed  highly  indignant,  and  often  afterward  related  the 
incident  as  a  grevious  and  unpardonable  affront  to  himself,  as  well  as  an 
assault  upon  free  speech  ! 

James  Work  learned  to  abhor  slavery  when  a  boy,  living  in  Vir- 
ginia.. He  says  he  often  saw  gangs  of  slaves  brought  up  like  cattle 
and  driven  to  market  chained  together.  He  has  seen  hundreds  of  these 
human  chatties  driven  along  in  couples,  with  a  long  chain  between  to 
keep  them  in  order.  Usually  a  wagon  followed  with  some  children  and 
provisions,  while  the  women,  who  would  not  desert  their  offspring,  fol- 
lowed behind.  These  gangs  were  always  accompanied  by  two  owners  or 
drivers  on  horseback,  with  loaded  whips  similar  to  those  used  by  cattle 
drivers  now-a-days.  One  of  these  rode  ahead,  and  the  other  followed. 

Deacon  Smith  related  an  incident  told  him  by  a  confiding  slave  holder 
once  on  a  t  me.  He  was  a  member  of  a  church  in  Dixie  that  had  human 
chattels  bequeathed  to  it  by  a  dying  brother,  who  doubtless  hoped  in  this 
manner  to  buy  his  way  to  heaven.  Wishing  to  improve  their  building, 
they  sold  a  slave  or  two,  and  afterward  disposed  of  a  'Other  to  buy  a  com- 
munion service.  But  a  member  greatly  scandalized  himself  by  refusing  to 
partake  of  the  Lord's  supper  from  the  holy  vessel,  saying,  "There  is  blood 
in  the  cup." 


574 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


THE  INDIANS. 


CHAPTER  L. 

BLACK    PARTRIDGE. 

individual  whose  name  is  commemorated  in  the  north- 
west Township  of  Woodford  County,  was  an  Indian  chief 
of  the  Pottawatomie  nation,  whose  village  was  a  little  south- 
west  of  Richland  school  house,  on  lands  belonging  to  Wil- 
liam Hunter.  The  locality  was  long  known  to  the  early 
settlers  as  the  "Big  Springs,"  and  was  a  favorite  camping 
ground  for  travelers.  In  .what  year  Black  Partridge  was 
born  is  not  known.  We  first  hear  of  him  at  Mad  Anthony's 
defeat  of  the  Miami  Indians,  in  1794,  where  he  boasted  of  taking  several 
scalps,  but  his  band  was  badly  cut  up,  and  himself  received  an  ugly  wound 
on  the  shoulder.  His  Indian  name  was  Mucketepokee.  He  wa&  present 
at  the  treaty  of  Greenville  in  1795,  and  received  from  General  Wayne  a 
medallion  likeness  of  General  Washington,  which  was  worn  round  his 
neck  for  many  years. 

Next  we  hear  of  him  at  a  treaty  concluded  with  Gov.  Edwards  in 
1809-11 — authorities  on  this  point  being  somewhat  conflicting.  He  was 
accompanied  by  Senachwine,  whose  .village  was  near  the  present  site  of 
Putnam;  Gomo,  whose  camp  was  at  Chillicothe;  Shick-Shack,  whose  peo- 
ple lived  below  Hennepin,  and  several  minor  personages  whose  names  are 
not  known.  Black  Partridge  made  a  speech,  and  Governor  Edwards  re- 
sponded. A  great  feast  was  provided  of  which  the  Indians  partook  lib- 
erally, and  not  until  the  beeves  were  eaten  up  were  the  latter  ready  to 
talk  of  business.  The  peace  here  concluded  was  not  of  long  duration. 
English  emissaries  were  busily  fomenting  mischief  and  secretly  supplying 
the  Indians  with  arms  in  anticipation  of  coming  trouble.  Then  came  the 
war  of  1812,  in  which  many  Illinois  Indians  took  the  part  of  Great  Brit- 
-  n,  making  raids  into  the  settlements  of  Madison  and  St.  Glair  Counties. 


BLACK  PARTRIDGE,  THE  INDIAN  CHIEF.  575 

At  these  depredations  the  people  became  greatly  alarmed,  and  some  fled  the 
country,  while  others  built  temporary  forts  and  with  their  famili  s  took 
refuge  therein.  Governor  Edwards  being  applied  to  determined  to  raise 
a  force  and  chastise  the  enemy  into  submission. 

The  General  Government  took  hold  of  the  matter,  and  General  Hop- 
kins, with  a  force  of  foiir  thousand  mounted  riflemen  from  Kentucky,  was 
ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Fort  Harrison,  on  the  Wabash,  while  Colonel 
Russell,  with  three  hundred  Rangers,  should  assemble  near  the  present  site 
of  Edwardsville  and  marched  north  to  co-operate  with  them.  A  force 
likewise  went  up  the  river  in  four  keel  boats,  under  command  of  Captain 
Craig.  It  was  raised  near  Shawneetown,  and  counted  all  told  about  two 
hundred  men,  armed  with  muskets,  while  the  boats  carried  howitzers. 
The  reason  of  these  heavy  forces  being  brought  to  bear  upon  the  Indians 
was  a  belief  that  they  had  participated  in  the  massacre  at  Chicago,'  and 
deserved  the  severest  punishment. 

On  the  14th  of  October  the  Kentucky  troops,  with  a  grand  display, 
left  Fort  Harrison,  'and  with  bands  playing  and  banners  streaming,  their 
horses  gaily  caparisoned  and  their  guns  glistening  in  the  sunshine,  took  up, 
their  line  of  march.  It  was  the  finest  army  ever  seen  in  the  West,  and 
great  results  were  expected  from  the  expedition.  They  entered  the  State 
of  Illinois  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Edgar  County,  and  started  across 
the  grand  prairie.  The  Kentuckians  had  never  seen  the  vast  level  plains 
of  the  West,  and  their  imaginations  were  fired  with  apprehension  of  the 
hidden  dangers  beyond.  They  were  superstitious  withal,  and  greedily  de- 
voured reports  waggishly  circulated  that  great  dragons  lay  in  wait,  and 
prairie  fires  fifty  feet  high  would  sweep  down  and  overwhelm  them. 

On  the  fourth  day  out  they  became  panic  stricken,  their  patriotism 
vanished,  and  they  resolved  to  go  no  further  into  a  country  so  full  of 
dangers.  General  Hopkins,  finding  remonstrance  useless  and  his  unaided 
efforts  of  no  avail,  sorrowfully  gave  the  order  to  return. 

In  the  meantime  Governor  Edwards,  with  Russell's  mounted  Rangers, 
•was  marching  northward,  expecting  to  form  a  junction  with  the  larger 
army,  but  failing  to  meet  them,  pushed  straight  on  for  Black  Partridge's 
village,  near  the  head  of  Peoria  Lake.  They  were  well  mounted  and 
traveled  light,  relying  on  the  country  for  forage,  and  were  untrammeled  by 
baggage  wagons  or  commissary  stores. 

Near  the  present  site  of  Bloomington  they  came  upon  a  solitary  Indian 
out  hunting,  whom  a  trooper  cut  down  without  provocation.  They  here 


576  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

fell  in  with  an  old  trapper,  named  Grant,  who  informed  them  most  of 
the  Indians  were  off  on  a  hunt,  and  volunteered  to  lead  them  to  the  vil- 
lage. Marching  to  within  a  few  miles  they  encamped  for  the  night,  and 
sent  out  spies  to  reconnoiter,  who  reported  everything  quiet. 

Colonel  Russell  divided  his  forces,  stationing  a  portion  in  the  bottoms 
near  the  present  residence  of  Louis  Guibert,  to  intercept  fugitives.  On 
their  way  to  the  village  they  came  upon  an  Indian  and  squaw, 
mounted,  who  held  up  their  hands  in  token  of  submission,  but  Captain 
Judy  saying  he  did  not  come  to  take  prisoners,  fired  and  mortally  wounded 
the  Indian,  and  several  shots  were  fired  at  the  squaw,  who  began  wring- 
ing her  hands  arid  crying,  making  no  attempt  to  escape.  Her  comrade 
fell  from  his  horse  but  grasped  his  gun,  when  those  who  were  near  sud- 
denly threw  themselves  from  their  horses  to  avoid  his  fire.  A  man  by  the 
name  of  Wright,  however,  was  riot  quick  enough  and  was  shot  by  the 
Indian,  both  expiring  soon  after.  In  the  confusion  one  of  the 
rangers'  guns  accidentally  exploded,  striking  a  man  named  Bruce,  from 
East  St.  Louis,  in  the  forehead  and  killing  him. 

Strange  as  it  may  appear,  these  occurrences  did  not  alarm  the  sleeping 
village,  and  when  Colonel  Russell  was  satisfied  the  detachment  sent 
below  had  reached  its  destination  he  gave  the  order  to  attack. 

The  rangers  came  on  in  two  columns,  one  division  sweeping  directly 
down  the  point  south  of  the  school  house,  and  another  some  thirty  or 
more  rods  below.  The  Indians,  taken  wholly  by  surprise,  made  little 
resistance.  A  portion  undertook  to  escape  down  the  river  but  ran  upon 
the  force  concealed  there  and  were  turned  back.  Directly  in  the  rear  of 
the  camp  was  an  impenetrable  swamp,  into  which  they  plunged,  followed 
by  the  rangers,  whose  horses  became  mired  in  a  few  steps,  throwing  their 
riders.  A  few  Indians  made  a  stand,  and  protected  by  trees,  poured  a 
galling  fire  into  the  invaders,  killing  Patrick  White,  of  Belleville,  John 
Shur,  of  Edwardsville,  and  wounding  several  others.  About  thirty  Indi- 
ans, old  and  young,  were  killed,  most  of  them  being  old  men  and  squaws. 
Several  pappooses  were  slain,  one  soldier  inhumanly  running  his  bayonet 
through  a  little  child  and  holding  it  high  above  his  head.  Some  of  the 
soldiers  were  guilty  of  the  most  inhuman  acts, —  such  as  mutilating  the 
dead,  placing  ropes  around  their  necks  and  dragging  them  about. 

The  camp  equipage  of  the  enemy  was  sunk  in  the  marsh,  their  wig- 
wams and  provisions  burned  up,  and  everything  destroyed.  While  this 
was  being  accomplished  scouts  were  sent  to  follow  the  retreating  force. 


BLACK    PARTRIDGE,    'THE.  INDIAN    CllIEF.  577 

which  fled  up  the  liver  to  near  the  mouth  of  Crow  Creek,  where  they 
were  seen  crossing  to  the  other  side. 

Here  it  was  known  a  large  force  of  Indians,  under  Gomo,  were 
encamped,  and  their  early  appearance  was  to  be  apprehended.  No  time 
was  lost,  therefore,  in  making  ready  to  return.  The  dead  were  deposited 
in  a  large  box  and  buried  in  a  shallow  grave  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  near 
the  scene  of  battle,  their  remains  scantily  covered,  and  the  enemy  left 
where  they  fell  to  be  devoured  by  wolves.  When  all  was  complete  the 
different  detachments  were  called  in  and  a  rapid  retreat  eas'tward  began, 
the  troops  marching  all  day  without  rest,  and  camping  at  night  on  the 
prairie,  probably  not  far  from  where  Cruger  now  stands. 

At  the  time  of  the  destruction  of  his  village  Black  Partridge  was 
absent.  He  had  long  been  a  friend  to  the  whites  and  his  conduct  at  the 
Chicago  massacre  proves  this.  On  the  morning  of  that  day,  finding  he 
could  no  longer  restrain  his  young  men,  he  proceeded  to  the  fort,  and  with 
a  sorrowful  countenance  delivered  up  the  medal  given  him  at  the  treaty 
of  Greenville,  seventeen  years  before,  saying  his  men  were  going  to  take  up 
arms  against  the  pale  faces,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  longer  wear  a  token  of 
friendship.  It  is  known  that  some  of  his  braves  participated  in  the  slaugh- 
ter, but  that  he  did  not  is  conclusively  shown  by  Mrs.  Kinzie  in  her  account 
of  the  massacre,  and  confirmed  by  Mrs.  Beeson,  whose  narrative  is  here 
given:  ''At  nine  o'clock  the  troops  left  the  fort  in  military  array, 
with  drums  beating  and  colors  flying.  Captain  Wells  with  his  mounted 
Miami  warriors  led  the  way,  the  troops  followed  on  foot,  and  next  came 
the  baggage  wagons,  containing  the  sick  and  the  women  and  children, 
while  the  Pottawatomies,  five  hundred  strong,  brought  up  the  rear.  The 
train  followed  the  present  line  of  Michigan  avenue  to  a  range  of  sand  hills, 
a  mile  and  a  half  above,  where  Fourteenth  street  strikes  the  lake.  Here 
the  Pottawatomies  left  them  and  wheeled  off  into  the  prairie,  which  Cap- 
tain Wells  divined  as  a  signal  of  treachery  and  told  the  troops  to  prepare 
for  battle.  The  Indians  came  on  yelling  like  so  many  devils,  and  began 
shooting  right  and  left.  The  soldiers  defended  themselves  manfully,  but 
were  largely  outnumbered. 

Mrs.  Helm,  wife  of  the  Lieutenant,  rode  beside  her  husband,  but  was 
thrown  from  her  horse  early  in  the  engagement  and  stood  looking  on  the 
carnage,  spell-bound  with  fright.  Her  husband  and  father  were  in  the 
engagement,  and  she  expected  each  moment  to  see  them  fall  before  the 
murderous  savages.  A  tall  warrior,  hideously  painted,  rushed  at  her  with 


578  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

uplifted  tomahawk,  but  she  evaded  his  well  aimed  blow,  which  descended 
on  her  shoulder,  cutting  a  fearful  gash.  Although  but  seventeen  and 
slightly  formed  she  grasped  him  round  the  neck  and  tried  to  get  posses- 
sion of  a  scalping  knife  hanging  at  his  belt.  Throwing  her  to  one  side  he 
was  about  to  brain  her  with  his  axe  when  she  was  caught  up  by  another 
Indian,  and  borne  straggling  into  the  lake  and  plunged  beneath  the 
water.  It  was  but  for  a  moment,  however,  for  her  head  was  raised  to 
permit  her  to  breathe,  while  her  body  was  held  under.  Gaining  courage 
at  this  she  looked  in  his  face  and  recognized  Black  Partridge,  the  white 
man's  friend.  When  all  was  over  he  took  her  to  the  camp  of  the  friendly 
Indians  and  delivered  her  over  to  a  squaw,  who  cared  for  her  as  well  as 
circum  tances  allowed. 

It  afterward  transpired  that  Lieutenant  Helm's  life  was  spared  at  the 
time  of  the  massacre,  and  he  was  held  a  prisoner  at  a  village  on  the  Kan- 
kakee.  On  learning  it,  Black  Partridge  arranged  with  his  French  friends 
for  his  ransom,  and  being  provided  by  them  with  presents  he  started  for 
the  village,  accompanied  by  a  half-breed  from  Peoria. 

They  found  the  Lieutenant  closely  guarded  and  suffering  from  a  se- 
vere wound.  He  knew  that  to  the  old  chief  he  was  indebted  for  the 
preservation  of  his  wife  and  her  family,  and  when  he  approached  threw 
his  arms  round  him  and  wept  like  a  child.  The  Indians  refused  to  accept 
the  ransom  offered,  and  Black  Partridge  voluntarily  added  to  the  sum  his 
pony,  rifle,  and  a  large  gold  ring  worn  in  his  nose.  The  party  soon  started 
for  St.  Louis,  accompanied  one  day  by  Black  Partridge,  who  then  left 
them  and  rode  across  the  country  to  learn  on  his  arrival  that  his  home 
had  been  destroyed,  and  to  recognize  among  the  half  consumed  remains 
his  favorite  daughter  and  her  infant  child.  No  one  was  near,  and  in  bit- 
terness of  spirit  the  old  chief  threw  himself  on  the  ground  and  wailed  in 
anguish. 

The  next  day  he  crossed  the  river  to  Gomo's  town,  where  Chillicothe 
stands,  and  learned  the  remnant  of  his  band  had  removed  up  the  river  to 
Bureau  Creek.  Thither  he  wended  his  way  in  the  bitterness  of  his  heart, 
vowing  revenge  against  his  enemies.  That  winter  he  traveled  from  place 
to  place  stirring  up  the  red  men,  and  in  the  spring  led  a  force  of  three 
hundred  Indians  against  the  the  frontier  settlements  of  Randolph,  St. 
Clair  and  Madison  Counties.  They  massacred  several  persons,  and  captur- 
ing a  number  of  horses  made  a  rapid  retreat  without  loss.  Peace  was 


THE  DEATH  OF  BLACK  PARTRIDGE.  579 

soon  after  concluded,  and  Black  Partridge  retired  to  his  village  beside  the 
big  spring  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days. 

He  was  an  old  man,  his  wife  and  children  were  dead,  his  people  were 
yearly  growing  fewer  in  numbers,  the  buffalo  had  fled  the  countiy,  the 
land  was  passing  into  the  hands  of  the  pale  faces,  and  there  was  little  left 
to  live  for.  With  no  desire  to  longer  stay,  he  looked  his  last  on  the 
green  grass  and  blue  sky,  turned  his  face  to  the  wall  and  died.  There 
was  deep  sorrow  in  the  camp,  and  all  the  rites  of  Indian  mourning  were 
gone  through  with.  His  body,  clad  in  richest  robes,  was  laid  in  a  rough 
box,  his  ornaments,  arrows,  pipe  and  tobacco  placed  beside  him  and 
when  securely  bound  with  thongs  was  hoisted  into  the  forks  of  a  big 
ash  tree  growing  a  few  rods  distant,  where  it  stood  after  the  Indians  had 
departed,  and  was  cut  down  by  old  man  Fields.  His  death  is  supposed 
to  have  taken  place  about  1819  or  20.  In  appearance  Black  Partridge 
was  tall  and  commanding,  with  the  eye  of  an  eagle,  a  high  forehead,  a 
large  nose  and  comely  features.  His  aspect  was  noble,  his  voice  heavy, 
and  his  hair  long  and  black  as  a  ravens.  In  his  little  world  he  reigned 
supreme,  and  his  will  was  law,  yet  no  king  on  his  throne  was  better  be- 
loved, and  no  rivals  disputed  his  authority. 

THE    HUNTER    HERMIT    OF    CROW    CREEK. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Crow  Creek  in  very  early  times  lived  an  old  hunter 
and  trapper  named  Grant.  His  story  is  told  in  the  diary  of  an  officer  en- 
gaged in  the  survey  of  the  "Military  Bounty  Tract"  in  1816,  and  ap- 
peared in  a  series  of  letters  published  in  the  "New  Yorker"  in.  1839. 
Where  he  came  from  originally  is  unknown.  We  "first  hear  of  him  as  a 
hunter  and  scout  attached  to  Lewis  and  Clark's  expedition,  which  ascended 
the  Missouri  and  traversed  the  continent  in  1805,  being  the  first  to  ex- 
plore the  then  unknown  territory  of  Oregon. 

In  1815  Government  set  apart  that  part  of  the  territory  of  Illinois 
north  and  west  of  the  river  of  that  name,  or  so  much  of  it  as  was  necessary, 
for  the  payment  of  soldiers'  bounties  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  ordered  its  im- 
mediate survey.  The  party  from  whom  our  information  comes  says  that 
one  Sabbath  they  crossed  the  Illinois  River  at  a  point  about  twenty 
miles  above  Fort  Clark,  and  followed  up  a  large  creek  to  the  cabin 
of  an  old  hunter  and  trapper  who  had  lived  there  for  several  years, 
and  was  held  in  much  esteem  by  the  Indians,  over  whom  he  exercised  con- 


580  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

siderable  authority.  The  way  this  influence  was  secured  is  told  in  the 
following  story :  When  he  came  to  the  country  there  were  two  tribes  at 
perpetual  war.  He  took  sides  with  one,  and  became  the  deadly  enemy  of 
the  other.  A  small  copper  camp  kettle  comprised  the  sum  total  of  his 
culinary  equipage,  which  for  convenience  of  transportation  was  worn  on 
his  head,  and  served  not  only  to  cook  his  provender,  but  protected  his 
upper  works  from  the  weather.  One  day  while  alone  in  the  bottoms 
somewhere  between  Henry  and  Lacon,  he  was  surprised  by  a  party  of  his 
foes,  and  they  being  too  numerous  to  fight,  he  took  to  his  heels.  Among 
the  pursuers  was  a  young  brave  uncommonly  fleet-footed,  w.ho  coming  up 
with  him,  dealt  a  blow  with  his  tomahawk  which,  according  to  Indian 
logic,  should  have  cleaved  its  way  to  his  enemy's  shoulders,  but  in  this 
case  produced  only  a  sharp,  ringing  report.  No  Indian's  skull  would  ring 
like  that,  and  he  started  back  in  terror  exclaiming,  "Manitou!"  From 
that  time  the  hunter  was  safe.  He  bore  a  charmed  life,  and  no  one  offered 
or  dared  to  molest  him.  His  cabin  was  in  a  secluded  nook  some  two  miles 
lip  Crow  Creek,  as  near  as  can  be  made  out. 

SIIICK  SHACK. 

While  Shaubena  achieved  greater  notoriety  and  was  best  known  to  the 
whites  from  his  unswerving  friendship  during  the  war,  he  was  but  an 
occasional  visitor  in  Marshall  and  Putnam  Counties,  and  his  detailed  his- 
tory is  not  in  accordance  with  our  plan.  His  friend  and  cotemporary 
Shick  Shack,  whose  home  was  at  the  mouth  of  Clear  Creek,  in  Putnam 
County,  more  properly  comes  within  our  province  and  deserves  mention. 
He  was  the  head  of  a  branch  of  the  Kickapoo  tribe,  whom  he  governed 
with  an  authority  truly  patriarchal.  He  was  a  man  of  large *stature  and 
imposing  presence,  and  had  sufficiently  profited  from  the  example  of  the 
whites  to  know  that  the  best  interests  of  his  people  lay  in  a  strict  observ- 
ance of  treaty  stipulations. 

Shick  Shack  had  enjoyed  the  civilizing  influences  of  a  residence  among 
a  better  class  of  whites  than  the  majority  of  his  people  were  brought  in 
contact  with,  having  been  converted  to  Christianity  when  a  boy  of  twelve 
years  old,  and  sent,  with  his  parents,  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  received  some 
schooling  and  relig'ous  training.  He  spoke  English  quite  fluently,  sought 
the  society  of  his  white  .neighbors,  in  the  association  with  whom  he  ever 
conducted  himself  with  scrupulous  politeness;  and  by  example  and  pre- 


SHICK- SHACK   AND   HIS   TRIBE.  583 

cept  exercised  a  powerful  influence  for  good  among  his  followers.  He 
was  also  a  preacher,  and  frequently,  alone  or  in  company  with  white  mis- 
sionaries, expounded  Gospel  truths  to  Indian  congregations  with  zeal  and 
eloquence.  Personally  he  was  temperate,  and  compelled,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, total  abstinence  among  his  people.  Though  depending  principnlly 
on  the  chase  for  subsistence,  he  gave  considerable  attention  to  agriculture 
and  introduced  the  American  breaking  plow  into  use  by  his  tribe. 

While  emulating  the  virtues  of  the  whites,  he  was  prompt  to  condemn 
their  vices  and  deplored  the  demoralizing  effects  upon  the  Indians  of  as- 
sociation with  the  vicious  of  our  race,  claiming  that  when  left  to  them- 
selves the  Indians  were  naturally  a  more  peaceable  and  religious  people 
than  the  whites.  He  sorrowfully  recognized  that  the  two  races  never 
could  affiliate  and  clearly  foresaw  the  ultimate  extinction  of  the  red  man. 
He  mourned  deeply  the  necessity  of  leaving  here  because  of  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  A  firm  friend  to  the  whites,  he  had,  he  said,  tried  to  make 
his  people  understand  and  obey  white  men's  laws ;  he  signed  treaties  that 
they  might  live  at  peace  with  the  palefaces ;  but  with  a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders  he  added:  "Bad  Ingen  and  bad  white  men  make  war:  good 
Ingen,  good  white  man,  no  war." 

His  method  of  inculcating  temperance  was  both  novel  and  successful 
If  a  member  of  his  band  got  tipsy  he  was  soundly  whipped.  If  he  trans- 
gressed a  second  time  he  was  whipped  harder,  and  if  after  these  admoni- 
tions he  continued  to  tipple  he  was  whipped  t©  death. 

INDIANS   MAKING    SUGAR. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  near  Florid,  in  entering  land  for  his  farm,  took 
within  its  boundaries  a  maple  grove,  where  Shick  Shack's  tribe  annually 
made  sugar.  One  afternoon  in  early  spring  a  formidable  procession  of 
painted  warriors  rode  up  and  surrounded  the  house  of  the  pioneer,  nearly 
frightening  his  wife  to  death.  In  the  cabin  was  a  couch-shell  use  as  a 
horn,  which  she  had  been  instructed  to  sound  on  the  appearance  of  danger, 
as  a  warning  to  the  men  at  work  in  the  fields  or  woods.  But  the  sight  of 
the  savages  so  completely  terrified  her  that  she  was  unable  to  give  the 
signal.  An  Indian  picked  up  the  shell,  looking  inquiringly  at  her,  as 
though  to  ask  its  use.  Her  woman's  wit  prompted  her  to  cause  him. 
to  sound  the  alarm,  which  she  dared  not  give  herself.  Swelling  out  h^r 
cheeks  and  puckering  her  lips  upon  her  closed  fist,  with  expressive  panto- 


584  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

mime,  she  imitated  blowing.  The  Indian  swelled  his  stalwart  chest, 
pressed  hs  coarse  lips,  and  with  great  ado  — 

Blew  a  blast  as  erst  threw  down 
Old  Jericho's  substantial  town. 

His  companions  instinctively  seized  their  tomahawks  as  if  to  repel  an 
attack,  but  learning  the  source  of  the  strange  noise,  gathered  round  eager 
as  children  to  manipulate  a  new  toy.  Meantime  the  men,  alarmed  at  the 
signal,  came  running  to  the  house,  when  it  was  found  that  the  Indians 
had  no  hostile  intentions  but  simply  wanted  to  make  sugar  on  their  old 
grounds. 

Shick  Shack  used  frequently  to  visit  the  homes  of  his  white  friends, 
bringing  venison,  honey,  fish,  moccasins,  etc.,  to  trade  for  flour,  corn,  pota- 
toes, meal  or  corn  bread.  Though  noted  for  his  temperance,  honesty  and 
morality,  he  had  the  weakness  of  his  race  for  finely.  On  one  occasion  he 
with  a  number  of  his  followers,  called  on  Mr.  Samuel  D.  Laughlin  and 
asked  for  some  rooster  feathers.  Told  to  help  themselves  they  charged 
upon  the  frightened  cocks,  robbed  them  of  their  gaudy  plumage,  and  soon 
each  dusky  brave  appeared  profusely  and  ludicrously  decorated.  Shick 
Shack  wore  a  high-crowned  silk  hat  which  some  white  friend  had 
given  him,  in  the  band  of  which  he  thrust  the  longest  and  brightest 
feathers,  and  strutted  proudly  about  with  his  borrowed  plumes  waving  in 
the  breeze. 

Himself  and  his  tribe  went  beyond  the  Mississippi,  upon  the  reserva- 
tion appointed  by  their  treaty  with  the  Government,  in  the  fall  of  1832. 


RIVER    NAVIGATION. 


585 


THE  ILLINOIS  RIVER. 


CHAPTER  LI. 

EARLY    STEAMBOATING. 

tlie  Illinois  River  Peru  was  practically  the  head  of  naviga- 
tion, though  a  few  boats  in  seasons  of  high  water  occasion- 
ally ran  up  to  Ottawa.  Forty  years  ago  travel  was  prin- 
cipally by  the  rivers.  Passengers  for  St.  Louis  took  the 
stages  or  the  canal  (when  built)  at  Chicago,  and  at  Peru 
transfeiTed  themselves  on  board  steamers  in  waiting  to  carry 
them  to  their  destination.  These  boats  were  well  equipped 
and  quite  equal  to  those  of  the  present  day. 
The  name  and  date  of  arrival  of  the  first  steamer  seen  on  the  Illinois 
above  Peoria  are  unknown,  but  it  is  believed  to  have  been  in  1830.  Wm. 
Strawn,  who  at  the  time  lived  three  miles  in  the  country,  once  visited  the 
Indians  on  the  river  bottoms  and  found  them  in  a  high  state  of  excite- 
ment over  the  supposed  visitation  of  the  Great  Spirit,  which  passed  up 
the  i-iver  the  night  before.  As  described  by  them  it  ,was  enveloped  in 
flames  and  with  a  roar  like  thunder  and  a  great  rush  of  waters  passed 
slowly  by,  returning  the  next  night.  It  was  a  long  time  before  their  de- 
scription was  intelligible,  but  finally  the  whites  concluded  it  must  have 
been  a  steamer,  which  probably  passed  up  to  Hennepin  or  further,  and 
the  next  night  returned. 

In  1832  the  steamer  Souvenier  came  up  with  supplies  for  troops  en- 
gaged in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  There  was  very  little  to  attract  trade  for 
several  years  and  arrivals  were  few. 

In  1838  the  Joe  Daviess,  Capt.  John  Hall,  ran  during  the  season  of 
navigation  between  Peoria  and  Peru,  doing  a  fair  business. 

In  1839  the  steamers  "Exact"  and  "Tiskilwa"  made  occasional  trips 
here,  the  latter  boat  terminating  her  existence  the  following  year  in  a  col- 
lision witli  the  "Wacousta,"  in  which  both  were  disabled. 


586  fcECOKDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

The  steamer  "  Frontier  "  was  put  on  the  route  by  Frink  &  Walker  to 
carry  the  mail  from  Peoria  to  Peru.  Her  commander  was  O.  C.  Pratt, 
and  her  pilots  were  Detwieler  and  Mosher,  afterward  well  known  Cap- 
tains. She  was  sunk  at  the  "  Tow  Heads,"  a  well  known  locality  in  the 
narrows  of  Peoria  Lake,  about  1843.  in  a  collision  with  the  "Panama." 
Its  place  was  supplied  by  the  "  Governor  Briggs." 

About  1850  the  "  Prairie  Bird  "  nnd  "  Governor  Briggs"  collided  at 
a  place  since  known  as  Prairie  Bird  Point.  The  "  Bird  "  had  a  large 
number  of  emigrant  Irish  on  board  and  safely  landed  them  on  an  island. 

The  "  Lucy  Bertram  "  was  wrecked  at  Trenton  (Depue)  many  years 
ago. 

The  principal  obstructions  were  Tree  Top  bar,  Crow  Creek  bar,  the 
Sister  Islands  and  Hennepin  Flats. 

Among  the  men  best  known  ns  commanders  or  pilots  were  Captains 
Price,  Blake  and  Swaney,  °  Hard  "  Culter  and  others.  A  noted  murder 
once  occurred  above  Henry,  when  a  steamboat  commander  shot  and  killed 
a  rival  Captain.  The  murderer  escaped  and  was  never  seen  afterward. 

For  twenty  years  no  boat  ascended  the  river  above  La  Salle,  but  in 
1877  the  Grey  Eagle,  commanded  by  Captain  Morris,  carried  an  excursion 
party  to  Starved  Rock.  Since  its  erection  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
bridge  had  never  been  swung,  and  the  stringers  were  sawed  off  to  permit 
the  diaw  to  revolve  and  the  boat  pass  through. 

KEEL    AND    FLAT    BOATS. 

Before  steamboats  began  to  ply  upon  the  river,  most  of  the  business  was 
done  by  sail  and  flat  boats,  especially  that  of  transporting  to  the  South, 
the  enormous  crops  of  potatoes  then  raised  everywhere,  near  the  Illinois 
especially  in  Putnam  County. 

These  huge  arks  were  from  75  to  115  feet  in  length,  20  to  25  feet 
wide,  from  six  to  seven  feet  between  decks  and  would  hold  from  4000  to 
6000  bushels  of  potatoes,  and  cost  from  $300  to  $400. 

They  floated  to  their  destination,  no  propelling  power  being  used,  and 
a  trip  from  Hennepin  or  Henry  to  New  Orleans  required  six  to  ten  weeks. 

In  1842  Wm.  B.  Mann  and  others  built  about  twenty  flat  boats  at 
Hennepin,  loaded  them  with  potatoes,  and  floated  down  to  New  Orleans 
where  they  sold  boats  and  cargoes  realizing  an  average  of  $30  each  for  the 


FLATBOATING    ON    THE    ILLINOIS    RIVER.  587 

boats.  Capt.  Leech  left  Hennepiu  rather  late  one  cold  season  about 
1844  or  '45,  with  a  cargo  of  these  vegetables  and  a  consignment  of 
oats  and  was  caught  four  miles  below  Liverpool,  Fulton  County,  on  the 
15th  of  November  and  frozen  in,  being  ice-bound  until  the  25th  of  the  fol- 
lowing January.  The  potatoes  were  not  damaged  and  the  oats  he  traded 
for  flour,  meal  and  groceries,  made  an  early  voyage  in  the  spring  and  sold 
out  to  advantage  at  St.  Louis. 

These  boats  were  used  but  once.  As  soon  as  the  cargo  was  removed 
they  were  broken  up,  and  the  lumber  and  spikes  from  the  dismembered 
craft  sold  for  what  they  would  bring. 

The  keel  boat,  however,  was  a  more  permanent  vessel  and  could  be 
rowed  up  stream.  They  were  smaller  than  the  others  mentioned,  more 
resembling  the  canal  boat  of  our  day  in  form  and  shape.  Around  the 
outer  edge  of  the  deck  was  a  narrow  walk,  but  without  guards.  Cleats 
of  wood  were  nailed  parallel  across  this  walk,  as  braces  for  the  feet  of  the 
polesman,  who,  with  a  stout  well-seasoned  pike  or  staff,  twelve  or  fifteen 
feet  in  length  and  as  thick  as  he  could  conveniently  grasp,  one  end  braced 
against  his  shoulder  and  the  other  on  the  bed  of  the  river,  shoved  the 
boat  along.  Should  the  pole  break  or  slip  he  invariably  plunged  head- 
long into  the  water  at  the  imminent  peril  of  his  life,  especially  where 
the  current  happened  to  run  quartering  from  his  side  under  the  vessel. 

There  were  from  ten  to  twenty  men  employed  on  each  of  these  treach- 
erous crafts,  and  accidents  of  the  kind  described  were  frequent,  and  often 
fatal. 


588  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


THE  GRAVES  TRAGEDY. 


CHAPTER  LII. 

THE  REED  AND  DONNER  PARTY. 

|MONG  the  saddest  episodes  in  the  frontier  history  of  the 
West  is  the  narrative  of  the  Reed  and  Donner  party  of 
ninety  persons,  which,  in  attempting  to  cross  the  Sierra 
Nevada  Mountains  late  in  the  fall  of  1846,  were  over- 
whelmed in  one  of  the  great  storms  peculiar  to  that  sec- 
tion, and  one  half  of  them  perished.  With  this  party- 
were  a  family  of  emigrants  from  Sparland,  whose  history 
we  propose  briefly  to  follow.  From  time  to  time  vague 
and  imreliable  accounts  have  appeared,  made  up  from  rumors  and  "facts" 
supplied  by  the  vivid  imagination  of  enthusiastic  writers,  but  until  the 
past  yeW  no  authentic  history  has  ever  been  given.  The  experience  was  too 
dreadful,  the  recollection  of  their  sufferings  too  horrible  to  be  dwelt  upon, 
and  no  persuasions  could  induce  the  survivors  to  recall  their  superhuman 
sufferings.  So  much  had  been  and  was  being  told  that  was  false,  and 
so  little  was  really  known  upon  the  subject,  that  for  the  benefit  of  correct 
history  the  survivors  were  at  last  persuaded  to  unseal  their  lips,  and  give 
to  the  world  their  awful  experience.  To  C.  F.  McGlashan,  of  Truckee, 
California,  is  due  the  credit  of  bringing  this  about,  and  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  the  particulars  which  follow : 

Franklin  Ward  Graves  was  a  Verimmter  by  birth,  who  came  to  Put- 
nam County  in  1831,  where  a  couple  of  half  brothers  resided.  He  spent 
some  time  looking  up  a  location,  and  finally  purchased  a  claim  of  .the  In- 
dians where  Sparland  stands,  erected  a  cabin  near  the  present  residence  of 
Dr.  Tesmer,  and  moved  into  it  probably  in  the  fall  of  1831.  During 
the  Black  Hawk  war  he  enlisted  and  served  as  Drum  Major  in  Strawn's 
Regiment  of  Infantry,  his  family  remaining  most  of  the  time  in  their 
cabin.  Mr.  Graves  was  a  genuine  backwoodsman  and  pioneer,  who  found 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES   FAMILY.  589 

his  most  congenial  associations  on  the  frontier.  He  despised  the  trammels 
of  civilization,  and  loved  the  unshackled  freedom  of  the  red  man.  In 
summer  he  went  shoeless,  hatless  and  coatless,  his  long  coarse  hair  his 
only  protection.  He  was  a  man  of  large  frame,  good  natured,  hospitable 
and  ever  ready  to  do  a  kindness.  Mrs.  Graves  was  tall  and  thin,  her  good 
natured  sun-burnt  face  wreathed  in  smiles.  She  wore  a  blue  calico  frock, 
an  old  sun-bonnet  and  a  faded  shawl,  on  dress  occasions,  and  like  her 
liege  lord,  went  barefoot.  It  was  her  custom  to  cross  the  river  daily  in 
fair  weather,  laden  with  honey,  wild  fruits  or  soft  soap,  and  dispose  of 
them  to  the  settlers  of  Columbia  (Lacon).  There  was  not  a  woman  in 
the  place  but  knew  her  and  loved  to  see  her  kind  face  make  its  appear- 
ance. She  would  cross  the  river  in  the  coldest  days  and  stormiest  weather 
in  her  little  canoe  to  convey  some  remedy  to  the  sick  or  do  a  kindness. 
Mi-.  Graves  was  more  hunter  than  farmer,  but  managed  to  secure  a  large 
tract  oi  land  and  open  up  a  considerable  farm  upon  the  bottoms.  For 
some  time  before  leaving  he  grew  restless  and  longed  to  explore  the  then 
little  known  Pacific  States,  and  sought  a  purchaser  for  his  property,  finding 
one  in  Geo.  Sparr,  to  whom  he  sold  500  acres  of  land  for  $1,500.  This  was 
in  the  spring  of  1846,  and  immediate  preparations  were  made  for  depart- 
ure. His  family  at  the  time  consisted  of  himself  and  wife,  and  nine  chil- 
dren as  follows  :  Mary  A.,  William  C.,  Eleanor,  Lovina,  Nancy,  Jona- 
than, Franklin  Ward  Jr.,  Elizabeth,  and  Sarah.  The  latter  was  engaged 
to  Jay  Fosdick,  and  did  not  design  accompanying  her  parents,  but  when 
the  time  for  departure  drew  nigh  her  heart  failed,  and  she  decided  to  go. 
Her  lover  chose  to  accompany  his  wife,  and  they  were  married  a  few  days 
before  starting.  Along  with  them  went  John,  Snyder,  a  tall,  good  look- 
ing young  man  afterward  engaged  to  Mary. 

Mr.  Graves  had  an  extensive  outfit,  and  was  equipped  in  the  best  pos- 
sible manner  for  the  journey.  He  had  three  teams  drawn  by  oxen,  and 
took  along  with  him  several  head  of  cattle  and  cows  besides.  The  pay- 
ment for  his  land  was  mostly  in  silver  half  dollars,  and  for  their  safe  con- 
veyance he  put  heavy  cleats  in  the  corners  of  his  wagon  box,  bored  holes 
from  below  with  an  auger  sufficiently  large  for  the  purpose,  and  then  de- 
posited them.  They  journeyed  leisurely  to  New  Boston,  where  they 
crossed  the  Mississippi,  traversed  Iowa  and  reached  Independence. 

There  was  a  large  emigration  that  year  to  Oregon  and  Salt  Lake. 
One  hundred  miles  west  of  Fort  Bridger  the  Graves  party  overtook  a 
company  numbering  one  hundred  or  more,  which  from  the  leadership  was 


590  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN    TIME. 

known  as  the  Reed  and  Dormer  party.  Previous  to  this  a  man  named 
William  Trimble,  traveling  with  their  party,  was  murdered  by  the  Paw- 
nees, and  his  stock  stolen.  His  family  turned  back.  At  Fort  Laramie 
they  celebrated  the  Fourth  of  July  with  appropriate  exercises.  Occasion- 
ally they  were  pestered  by  thieving  Indians,  but  not  often. 

Once  a  party  of  friendly  Sioux  offered  to  purchase  Mary  Graves,  and 
failing  in  this  one  of  them  laid  hold  of  her  bridle  as  though  disposed  to 
cany  her  off  by  force,  but  a  rifle  pointed  in  that  direction  caused  the 
fellow  to  quickly  drop  the  bridle.  At  Fort  Bridger  there  was  talk 
concerning  a  newly  discovered  route  across  the  mountains,  known  as 
Hasting's  Cut-off,  said  to  be  300  miles  shorter  than  the  usual  route  by 
Fort  Hall.  A  large  number  took  the  old  route  and  got  through  safely, 
but  the  Donner  party  of  ninety  persons,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
Bridger  and  Vasquez,  who  had  charge  of  the  fort  and  were  personally 
interested  in  the  new  route,  concluded  to  adopt  it.  To  these  men  is  due 
all  the  disasters  that  followed. 

The  party  traveled  several  days  without  difficulty,  crossing  Weber 
River  at  the  head  of  the  well  known  canyon.  Here  a  long  delay  occurred 
until  men  could  be  sent  forward  to  ascertain  a  proper  route,  when  they  con- 
cluded to  take  across  the  mountains  in  a  more  direct  line  to  Salt  Lake. 
Innumerable  difficulties  were  experienced,  and  three  weeks  of  precious 
time  was  spent  making  roads.  When  the  party  arrived  at  the  outlet  of 
the  stream  down  which  they  had  followed,  it  was  impossible  to  proceed 
further,  and  the  wagons  had  to  be  hoisted  to  the  top  of  a  steep  bluff  and 
then  lowered  upon  the  other  side.  The  dreadful  difficulties  can  never  be 
described.  Instead  of  reaching  Salt  Lake  in  a  week  they  were  thirty  days 
in  making  the  trip. 

The  terrible  delays  made  possible  the  imminent  dangers  that  awaited 
them  on  the  Sierra  Nevadas.  Frjm  where  they  stood  the  great  lake  and 
the  plains  surrounding  it  were  seen,  and  they  hailed  it  with  joy  and  grat- 
itude as  the  end  of  their  difficulties,  looking  forward  to  a  prosperous 
and  peaceful  journey  over  pleasant  roads  for  the  remainder  of  their 
trip.  Alas!  there  were  trials  in  the  way  compared  with  which  their 
recent  struggles  were  insignificent.  But  for  the  fatal  delay  caused  by  the 
Hastings  Cut-Off  all  would  have  been  well,  but  now  the  summer  was 
passed,  themselves  and  teams  well  nigh  exhausted,  and  their  stook  of  pro- 
visions nearly  consumed. 

The  valley  of  Salt  Lake  contained  little  of  gladness  for  the  Donner 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  591 

party.  At  this  time  the  Mormon  emigration  had  not  arrived,  and  all  was 
a  vast  solitude.  It  was  the  3d  of  September  when  they  arrived,  but 
warned  by  the  lateness  o  the  season,  stopped  but  a  single  day.  Here  one 
of  the  party  died,  a  poor  consumptive  named  Halloran,  and  was  buried 
beside  the  road  in  a  bed  of  almost  pure  salt.  He  left  about  $1,500  in 
cash,  which  he  gave  to  Captain  Donner.  On  the  6th  of  September  they 
reached  a  valley  called  Twenty  Wells,  and  laid  in  a  supply  of  pure  water, 
knowing  they  had  a  fifty  mile  desert  to  cross.  It  was  a  vast  alkaline 
plain  destitute  of  either  water  or  grass,  and  instead  of  fifty  was  seventy- 
four  miles  wide.  Long  before  crossing  its  wide  expanse  their  supplies 
gave  out,  and  after  being  on  the  plain  two  weary  nights  and  one  day, 
James  Reed  volunteered  to  ride  ahead  and,  if  possible,' discover  water.  It 
was  twenty  miles  away,  and  during  his  absence  his  eighteen  oxen,  mad- 
dened by  thirst,  wandered  off  in  the  desert  and  were  never  seen  again, 
leaving  himself  and  family  of  nine  persons  destitute  in  the  midst  of  a 
desert  eight  hundred  miles  from  California.  When  he  returned  the 
awful  truth  was  disclosed,  and  the  full  horror  of  the  situation  dawned 
upon  him. 

But  to  remain  here  was  death,  and  taking  his  child  in  his  arms  all  started 
to  walk  the  twenty  miles.  The  sufferings  of  that  dreadful  night  can 
never  be  told.  Some  of  the  children  became  so  worn  out  and  exhausted 
for  want  of  water  that  they  laid  down  on  the  bleak  sands  and  would 
never  have  risen  had  they  not  been  forced  forward.  During  the  night 
they  were  intensely  frightened  by  the  rush  of  a  wild  animal,  that  proved 
to  be  one  of  his  lost  steers  maddened  with  thirst.  Finally  it  dashed  off 
in  the  darkness  and  was  seen  no  more.  At  last  they  reached  the  welcome 
spring  and  found  relief.  For  eight  days  they  camped  here  all  hands  seek- 
ing Reed's  cattle. 

The  outlook  for  him  was  gloomy  enough.  An '  ox  and  a  cow  was  all 
he  had  left,  but  Mr.  Graves  and  a  Mr.  Breen  each  lent  him  an  ox,  and 
hitching  them  all  together  and  abandoning  everything  that  could  not  be 
loaded  on  one  wagon  they  started  once  more. 

While  here  an  inventory  of  provisions  was  carefully  taken,  and  the 
startling  discoveiy  made  that  all  their  supplies  would  not  take  them 
through.  And  to  render  their  situation  still  more  terrible  a  storm  came 
on  and  the  hill  tops  were  covered  with  snow.  A  council  was  held  and  it 
was  decided  to  send  two  of  the  party  forward  to  seek  relief,  aud  a  couple 


592  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

of  brave  volunteers  were  found  in  the  persons  of  William  McCutchen  arid 
C.  T.  Stanton,  the  latter  from  Chicago. 

DF.ATII    OF    JOHN    SNYDER. 

Between  Mary  Graves  and  John  Snyder,  the  young  man  who  ac- 
companied the  family,  a  love  affair  had  grown  up,  which  ripened  into  a 
marriage  engagement.  He  was  about  twenty-three  years  of  age,  of  manly 
carriage,  erect,  tall  and  muscular.  On  the  march  and  in  camp,  through 
hardship,  toil  and  danger,  he  was  the  life  of  the  party,  never  cast  down 
and  never  despondent.  His  intended  was  about  nineteen  years  old.  She 
was  tall  and  slender,  of  graceful  form  and  build,  and  had  been  better 
educated  than  most  persons  in  her  station,  having  taught  school  before 
leaving  Illinois. 

Of  James  Reed  mention  has  before  been  made,  and  the  deplorable  in- 
cident we  have  to  relate  concerning  these  men  shows  how  sudden  passion 
makes  deadly  foes  of  warmest  friends. 

The  train  had  reached  Gravelly  Ford  on  the  Humboldt.  Already 
they  were  beginning  to  eagerly  scan  the  Western  plains  in  hopes  of  relief 
from  Sutter's  Fort.  Occasionally  a  wagon  would  need  repairing  or  there 
would  be  a  brief  halt  to  recruit  the  jaded  cattle.  The  Indians  were 
troublesome  and  had  stolen  two  of  Mr.  Graves  oxen  and  one  of  the  horses. 

In  traveling  the  party  observed  this  rule,  the  team  that  led  one  day 
was  obliged  to  take  the  rear  position  in  the  next,  this  system  of  alterna- 
ting allowing  each  one  to  lead  the  train.  On  the  5th  of  October  Franklin 
Graves  was  ahead,  Jay  Fosdick  second,  John  Snyder  third,  and  the  team 
of  J.  F.  Reed  came  fourth.  Milton  Elliott  drove  Reed's  team.  Arrived 
at  a  st  ep  sandy  hill  they  were  obliged  to  double  up,  that  is,  hitch  several 
yoke  to  each  wagon.  There  was  some  difficulty  in  doing  this,  and  Elliott 
and  Snyder  exchanged  hot  words,  the  origin  of  which  is  unknown.  Sny- 
der being  nettled  at  some  remark  of  Elliott's,  declared  his  team  could  pull 
up  alone,  and  made  use  of  very  bad  language.  It  is  probable  the  teams 
collided,  but  of  this  nothing  now  can  be  known.  .  All  parties  agree  that 
Snyder  was  greatly  enraged,  and  was  beating  his  team  over  their  heads 
with  the  heavy  end  of  his  whip  when  Reed,  who  had  been  hunting,  ar- 
rived and  remonstrated  with  Snyder  for  beating  his  cattle,  offering  his 
own  team  to  assist. 

Snyder  refused  the  proffered  aid,  and  used  very  abusive  language  to- 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  593 

ward  both  Reed  and  Elliott.  Reed  attempted  to  calm  the  enraged  man, 
but  it  -only  added  fuel  to  the  fire.  Both  were  men  of  fiery,  passionate 
dispositions,  and  angry  words  multiplied  rapidly.  When  Reed  saw  that 
trouble  was  inevitable,  he  said  something  about  waiting  until  they  got  up 
the  hill  and  then  settling  it,  but  Snyder  construed  it  into  a  threat  and  re- 
plied, "We  will  settle  it  now,"  at  the  same  time  striking  Reed  a  heavy 
blow  with  the  but  end  of  his  heavy  whip-stock.  This  was  followed  by  a 
second  and  third,  each  one  cutting  through  the  scalp,  from  which  the 
blood  flowed  in  streams.  Mrs.  Reed  believing  her  husband  was  being 
murdered,  ran  between  the  parties,  and  the  blow  descended  on  her  own 
head  and  shoulders.  Again  the  whip  was  raised,  when  Reed,  blinded  by 
the  blood  and  dazed  by  the  shock  of  the  fierce  blows,  rapidly  drew  his 
knife  and  struck  Snyder  in  the  breast,  penetrating  the  lung.  He  stag- 
gored  and  fell  into  the  arms  of  W.  C.  Graves,  who  laitl  him  on  the  ground, 
his  only  utterance  being,  "I  am  a  dead  man."  Reed's  wife  and  daughters 
gathered  about  him  and  began  to  stanch  the  blood  that  flowed  from  his 
wounds,  but  he  pushed  them  aside  and  went  to  the  assistance  of  the 
dying  man. 

Snyder's  death  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  on  the  party,  who  immediately 
went  into  camp.  Reed  felt  he  had  only  acted  in  self-defense  and  in  the 
protection  of  a  wife  he  adored,  nevertheless  it  was  evident  trouble  was 
brewing  among  Snyder's  friends  that  boded  no  good  to  him.  The  Reed 
family  were  in  a  bad  situation.  At  the  commencement  they  had  the  best 
turnout  or  outfit  in  the  party.  He  had  a  fine  horse,  his  daughter  had  a 
pony,  on  which  she  often  rode  beside  her  father,  and  was  looked  upon  as 
"aristocratic."  Mrs.  Reed  was  so  unmanned  with  grief  and  remorse  that 
she  could  do  nothing,  and  the  wounded  man  came  to  his  twelve-year  old 
daughter  to  have  the  cuts  dressed.  They  were  wide  and  deep,  and  years 
after,  when  he  lay  in  death,  a  gently  stirring  wind  blew  his  gray  locks 
aside,  disclosing  the  ugly  scars.  A  council  was  held  to  decide  his  fate, 
and  they  said  he  must  die.  John  Snyder  had  been  an  unusual  favorite, 
and  they  felt  that  nothing  else  could  atone  for  his  loss;  but  when  they 
looked  on  his  weeping  wife  and  children,  \vho  would  be  left  without  a 
protector,  they  relented,  and  said  he  might  live,  but  should  be  banished 
from  the  party. 

When  this  was  communicated  to  Reed  he  refused  to  comply.  He  had 
only  obeyed  the  dictate  of  self  protection  and  would  not  accede  to  an  un- 
just punishment.  Then  came  the  wife's  pleadings,  and  long  and  earnestly 


594  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

she  urged  him  to  go.  If  he  remained  he  would  be  sacrificed  to  the  deadly 
enmity  of  of  Snyder's  friends,  and  if  he  went  forward  he  might  reach  the 
settlements  and  return  with  provisions  already  needed  in  camp.  Even  if 
permitted  to  stay  he  might  be  compelled  to  see  those  he  lo  ed  so  dearly 
perish  of  starvation.  The  wife's  counsels  prevailed  and  sorrowfully  he 
prepared  to  go,  first  exacting  a  solemn  promise  from  the  company  that  they 
would  care  for  his  family.  It  was  their  purpose  to  turn  him  adrift  with- 
out food  or  the  means  of  procuring  any,  but  their  intentions  were  frustra- 
ted by  his  faithful  daughter  who  smuggled  to  him  his  gun  and  ammuni- 
tion and  a  few  crackers.  A  man  named  Herron  also  chose  to  accompany 
him.  Sad  and  bitter  was  the  parting,  for  each  felt  a  presentiment  they 
were  never  to  meet  again  and  the  unhappy  man  sorrowfully  departed. 

Starvation  now  stared  the  emigrants  in  the  face.  Their  provisions 
were  nearly  exhausted,  the  oxen  were  poor  and  scarcely  able  to  drag  the 
wagons.  On  the  12th  of  October  they  reached  the  sink  of  the  Humboldt. 
Here  the  cowardly  Indians  ran  off  twenty-one  head  of  cattle,  and  they 
were  never  recovered.  All  who  were  able  had  to  walk,  and  many  carried 
little  children.  Some  had  lost  their  entire  stock  and  had  to  carry  whatever 
of  personal  effects  they  had.  The  men,  as  a  rule,  became  exhausted  much 
sooner  than  the  women.  Only  the  sick,  the  little  children  and  the  utterly 
exhausted  were  allowed  to  ride. 

On  the  9th  a  death  occurred.  It  was  an  old  German  named  Hard- 
coop,  traveling  with  a  person  by  the  name  of  Keseberg.  He  was  nearly 
three  score  years;  was  sick,  feeble  and  helpless,  yet  he  was  compelled  to 
walk  with  the  rest.  He  walked  till  his  feet  actually  burst, — walked 
until  he  sank  exhausted,  and  then  as  the  train  pitilessly  left  him,  tried  to 
walk  again.  It  was  terrible  to  think  of,  for  well  he  knew  this  abandon- 
ment meant  death  by  exposure  and  starvation  in  its  most  dreadful  form. 
Keseberg  made  no  attempt  to  return  and  find  the  old  man,  and  owing  to 
the  overwhelming  dangers  that  now  threatened  the  company  they  could 
not  wait. 

A  few  days  later  another  tragedy  occurred.  This  time  it  was  a  man 
named  Wolfinger,  supposed  to  be  wealthy.  He  and  Keseberg  were  walk- 
ing in  the  rear,  and  when  the  latter  came  into  camp  he  was  alone.  Sev- 
eral went  back  to  search  for  the  missing  man  but  he  was  never  found,  and 
the  supposition  was  strong  that  Keseberg  had  murdered  him  for  his  money. 

On  the  19th  of  October  T.  C.  Stanton  returned  with  five  mules  laden 
with  flour  and  beef  sent  to  their  aid  by  Captain  Sutter.  The  welcome 


SAD    STORY    OF   THE   GRAVES   FAMILY.  595 

supply  cheered  all  hands,  and  but  for  this  the  whole  party  would  have 
perished.     Here  a  great  mistake  was  committed. 

Instead  of  pushing  forward  as  they  should  have  done  they  laid  by  four 
days  to  rest  their  cattle  before  ascending  the  mountains.  It  was  a  fatal 
delay.  Here,  too,  an  accident  occurred,  costing  one  man  his  life  and 
leaving  a  widow  and  two  fatherless  infants. 

The  clouds  now  began  to  wear  an  omnious  appearance,  and  everything 
indicated  winter  was  at  hand.  It  was  a  month  earlier  than  usual,  but 
the  mountains  were  covered  with  snow,  and  at  Prosser  Creek  it  was  eight 
inches  deep.  The  hapless  emigrants  struggled  on  and  made  desultory 
efforts  to  cross  the  barriers,  but  baffled,  wearied  and  disheartened  they 
turned  back  to  the  foot  of  the  lake.  .  Another  determined  effort  was 
made.  The  wagons  were  left  behind,  the  horses  and  mules  packed  with 
provisions,  and  all  day  long  the  men  and  animals  floundered  in  the  snow, 
breaking  paths  and  forcing  their  way  forward,  but  at  nightfall  an  abrupt 
precipice  was  reached  that  could  not  be  passed,  and  sorrowfully  they  re- 
turned. The  next  day  it  was  decided  to  kill  the  stock,  pack  the  meat, 
and  cross  the  summit  on  foot,  but  to  many  the  opportunity  never  came. 
That  night  snow  began  to  fall  at  the  Lake,  coming  down  in  large  steady 
masses.  All  understood  it  meant  death.  The  storm  continued  four  days, 
and  the  cattle  left  to  themselves  strayed  off  and  were  lost  in  the  drifts. 
The  mules  loaned  by  Captain  Sutter  were  lost  and  never  returned.  Some 
of  the  cattle  were  afterward  found  and  slaughtered;  a  Mrs.  Breen,  whose 
husband  was  an  invalid,  personally  doing  this,  and  storing  up  the  meat 
for  her  family.  Mrs.  Reed  had  no  cattle  to  kill  and  Mr.  Graves  gave  her 
two  from  his  store. 

It  was  now  apparent  that  the  party  must  remain  here  during  the  win- 
ter, and  preparations,  such  as  were  needed,  were  made.  Mr.  Graves 
built  a  cabin  close  by  Donner  Creek,  and  others  were  from  one  to  six  miles 
distant. 

All  knew  that  death  speedily  waited  waited  the  company  unless  the 
mountain  could  be  crossed  and  relief  obtained  from  the  other  side,  and  it 
was  resolved  soon  as  possible  the  strongest  and  ablest  should  ,•  et  forth. 
Accordingly,  on  the  15th  of  November,  fifteen  persons  set  out,  among  them 
being  Mr.  Graves,  his  two  daughters,  Mary  A.  and  Sarah,  along  with  her 
husband,  Jay  Fosdick.  All  day  they  toiled  but  did  not  get  more  than  a 
mile  from  the  cabins  and  at  midnight  they  returned.  The  failure  had  a 
veiy  depressing  effect  and  many  never  rallied  or  afterward  made  an  effort 


590  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

at  release.  On  the  1 9th  they  killed  a  bear  which  gave  a  welcome  supply 
of  provisions,  but  what  was  that  in  a  company  of  81  persons.  Things  in- 
deed looked  dark.  They  could  count  on  their  fingers  when  their  provis- 
ions would  be  exhausted,  yet  unless  it  came  from  themselves  no  relief 
could  be  expected. 

Day  after  day  with  aching  hearts  and  throbbing  brows  they  gazed  into 
each  others  faces  in  blank  despair.  Who  would  go  out  and  seek  a  grave 
that  those  left  behind  might  live.  Who  would  be  the  forlorn  hope  of  the 
perishing  emigrants. 

Once,  a  party  led  by  Patrick  Breen,  tried  to  reach  the  summit  and 
again  the  same  parties,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Reed  and  family  and  others, 
made  an  unsuccessful  atttempt.  Still  another  party  of  men  and  women 
forced  their  way  to  Summit  Valley  but  were  forced  to  return. 

About  this  time  August  Spitzer,  weakened  by  long  fasting,  fell  down 
never  to  rise  again  and  was  buried  in  the  snow. 

Finally  a  forlorn  hope  was  organized  and  seventeen  names  enrolled, 
though  two  did  not  go,  Mr.  Graves  making  snow  shoes  for  the  party 
without  which  they  could  not  travel.  It  Avas  certain  death  to  remain,  it 
could  be  no  worse  to  go. 

Who  comprised  this  party?  Mothers  whose  babes  would  starve  unless 
they  went;  fathers,  whose  wives  and  children  would  perish  if  the 
fathers  did  not  go;  children,  whose  parents  could  not  survive  unless  the 
children,  by  leaving,  increased  the  parents'  share  of  food.  It  was  indeed 
a  forlorn  hope..  C.  F.  Stanton,  as  noble  a  man  as  ever  lived,  he  who 
had  returned  laden  with  supplies  furnished  by  Captain  Sutter,  was  the 
first  to  volunteer.  He  said:  "I  will  bring  help  to  those  famishing  peo- 
ple or  lay  down  my  life."  Franklin  Ward  Graves  was  the  next.  He 
was  one  of  the  noblest  men  that  ever  lived,  and  worthy  of  a  monument. 
Of  his  nine  children  the  youngest  was  but  a  babe.  Generously  had  he 
parted  with  his  cattle  that  others  might  live,  dividing  equally  with  those 
who  had  no  food,  when  his  own  family  was  starving.  Mary  Graves  and 
her  sister  Sarah  resolved  to  accompany  their  father,  and  Jay  Fosdick 
resolved  to  share  with  his  wife,  the  perils  of  the  way.  Mrs.  Foster  and 
Mrs.  Pike  left  their  babes  with  their  mother,  she  telling  them  what  they 
ate  would  keep  their  little  ones  from  starving. 

Who  can  imagine  the  anguish  with  which  Mrs.  Pike  bid  her  little 
Naomi,  but  two  years  old,  and  her  nursing  babe  Catherine,  farewell. 


SAD  STORY  OF  THE  GRAVES  FAMILY.  597 

What  bitter  tears  were  shed  by  Mrs.  Foster,  when  she  bid   her  baby  boy 
good  bye.     They  knew  it  not,  but  it  was  a  long,  long  farewell. 

Among  others  who  went  was  an  Irishman  named  Patrick  Dolan  from 
Keokuk.  He  had  a  supply  of  meat  stored  away,  and  generously  gave  it 
to  Mrs.  Reed,  going  voluntarily  into  the  wilderness  to  starve  and  die. 
Oh,  the  horror  of  the  occasion, —  the  heroism  of  the  brave  men  and  wo- 
men in  the  party.  As  an  appreciation  of  his  services,  Mrs.  Reed  gave  him 
a  gold  watch  and  a  Masonic  emblem  belonging  to  her  husband  and  bade 
him  keep  them.  Months  after,  when  the  snows  left  the  valleys,  they 
were  found  by  the  Indians  and  carried  to  Captain  Slitter's  fort  and  re- 
claimed by  the  owners. 

The  party  took  with  them  six  days  rations,  if  a  piece  of  tough  shriv- 
eled beef  the  size  of  one's  two  fingers,  three  times  a  day,  could  be  called 
such.  This,  with  a  little  coffee  and  loaf  sugar,  was  all.  They  dare  not 
take  more  from  the  dear  ones  at  the  cabins.  They  had  matches,  a  hatchet, 
one  gun,  and  a  blanket  for  each.  The  first  day  they  made  four  miles, 
pressing  resolutely  forward,  without  so  much  as  daring  to  look  back  to 
the  dear  ones  whose  lives  depended  \ipon  the  horrible  venture. 

They  camped  in  full  view  of  the  cabins,  which  seemed  harder  to  the 
aching  hearts  of  the  poor  mothers  than  the  parting.  The  snow  was  from 
twelve  to  sixty  feet  deep.  The  next  day  they  made  six  miles,  and  get- 
ting a  few  boughs  kindled  a  fire  on  the  snow,  boiled  a  little  coffee  and 
ate  their  pitiful  allowance  of  beef.  The  third  day  they  walked  four  miles, 
dragging  themselves  wearily  along,  silently  and  with  downcast  eyes.  No 
one  spoke  except  when  absolutely  necessary,  but  on  they  struggled,  some- 
times at  long  distances  from  each  other. 

On  the  fifth  day  Stanton  died.  He  had  gone  snow  blind,  and  pite- 
ously  besought  them  to  lead  him,  but  with  food  gone,  hope  lost,  and  only 
the  blind  clinging  instinct  of  existence  left,  they  coiild  not  aid  him,  and 
ceasing  to  importune  he  heroically  met  his  fate.  On  that  morning  he  sat 
by  the  camp-fire  smoking,  and  as  they  were  about  to  leave,  Mary  Graves 
went  to  his  side  and  asked  if  he  was  coming.  "Yes,"  he  said,  "I'm  com- 
ing soon."  They  were  his  last  words. 

None  can  be  blamed  for  abandoning  Stanton.  In  twenty-four  hours 
all  were  without  food,  except  a  Mr.  Eddy,  who  in  his  sorest  need  found 
a  small  piece  of  meat  his  wife  had  robbed  herself  of  and  hid  in  his  clothes 
with  a  note  signed,  "Your  own  dearest  Eleanor."  It  saved  his  life. 

That  night  the  snow  begun  to  fall,  coming  down  in  great  fleecy  flakes. 


598  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLt)EN  TIME. 

They  were  utterly  discouraged  and  some  proposed  to  go  back,  but  the 
two  Indians  of  the  party  said  they  would  go  on  and  Mary  Graves  said  she 
would  accompany  them.  For  two  days  they  had  not  tasted  food,  and 
some  one  proposed  to  cast  lots  to  see  who  should  die  that  the  rest  might 
live.  It  fell  on  Patrick  Dolan,  the  generous  Irishman  who  voluntarily, 
gave  his  food  that  others  might  live.  Who  should  take  Dolan's  life? 
With  one  accord  they  rose  to  their  feet  and  staggered  on,  making  two  or 
three  miles.  The  next  morning  dawned  dreary,  rainy  and  discouraging, 
but  they  started  out  as  usual,  the  soft  snow  clinging  to  their  feet  in  balls. 

Mary  Graves  says  instead  of  attempting  to  make  a  fire  they  crawled 
back  to  their  old  camp  of  the  previous  night  and  remained,  the  falling 
rain  having  changed  to  snow  and  sleet,  which  cut  their  pinched  faces  and 
made  them  shiver  with  cold.  A  good  fire  was  finally  made,  which  some- 
time during  the  night  thawed  the  snow  beneath  and  suddenly  dropped 
out  of  sight.  Their  camp  was  made  above  a  stream  of  water,  which  far 
below  tumbled  over  its  rocky  bed.  Here  Patrick  Dolan's  life  went  out 
in  demoniacal  shrieks  and  frenzied  appeals  for  food.  About  midnight 
Antoine  ceased  to  breathe  and  W.  F.  Graves  was  dying.  He  had  reached  a 
point  where  iron  nerves  and  a  strong  constitution  would  no  longer  sustain 
a  man,  and  his  end  was  at  hand.  Calling  his  daughters  to  his  side  he  ex- 
horted them  for  the  sake  of  those  left  behind  to  bear  up  and  strive  to 
prolong  their  lives. 

He  reminded  Mrs.  Pike  of  her  babies  and  all  of  the  necessity  of  secur- 
ing food  and  charged  them  when  life  was  gone  to  save  their  own  lives  by 
using  his  body  as  food.  His  daughters  had  said  they  would  never  par- 
take of  human  flesh  and  earnestly  he  pleaded  that  they  rise  superior 
to  their  natural  instincts  and  prejudices  and  use  the  the  only  means  per- 
mitted to  sustain  life. 

Was  there  not  something  noble  and  grand  in  the  advice  of  this  father? 
Was  it  not  true  heroism  that  all  false  -delicacy  be  thrown  aside  and  his 
body  be  sacrificed  to  save  the  starving  emigrants.  A  sublinier  death  was 
never  witnessed.  With  his  last  breath  he  urged  that  his  flesh  be  used  to 
prolong  the  lives  of  his  companions.  Truly  a  soul  so  noble  had  no  need 
of  the  form  of  its  mortal  tenant, — it  had  a  better  place  prepared. 

With  their  fires  gone  out,  the  fierce  cold  cutting  to  the  bone  and  two 
of  their  number  dead,  some  plan  must  be  devised  to  secure  warmth  or  all 
would  perish.  Lying  down  as  closely  as  possible,  Mr.  Eddy  spread 
blankets  above  and  crawling  beneath  all  were  soon  covered  beneath  the 


8 AD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  599 

swiftly  falling  snow.  The  next  day  ushered  in  a  worse  storm  tha^n  had 
yet  been  encountered,  lasting  two  days.  When  at  last  it  abated  and  they 
emerged  from  their  prison-house  they  were  more  dead  than  alive.  Four 
days  they  had  passed  without  food  and  two  without  fire. 

The  horror  of  this  "camp  of  death"  can  never  be  told.  It  was  nec- 
esary  to  secure  a  fire  or  they  would  perish,  yet  for  a  long  time  their 
efforts  were  fmitless.  Their  matches  were  worthless  and  not  until  Mrs. 
Pike  tore  open  a  mantle  lined  with  cotton  did  they  succeed  in  getting  a 
fire  from  their  flint  lock  gun.  At  last  they  suceeded  and  lighted  the 
branches  of  a  dead  pine  which  afforded  warmth.  The* weak,  famished 
wretches  had  reached  the  last  possible  alternative  and  they  must  eat  of 
the  flesh  of  their  dead  companions  or  all  perish.  Oh,  the  supreme,  the 
awful  horror  of  horrors  of  the  moment. 

The  men  finally  mustered  courage  enough  to  approach  the  dead. 
With  averted  heads  and  trembling  hands  they  cut  pieces  of  flesh  from  the 
inanimate  forms  and  placed  them  on  the  coals.  Human  beings  were  never 
called  on  to  undergo  more  trying  ordeals.  Dividing  into  groups,  the 
members  of  each  family  were  spared  the  pain  of  feasting  upon  their  own 
kindred.  One  could  not  eat.  This  was  Lemuel  Murphy,  a  feeble  boy  of 
thirteen  years,  who  succumbed  to  the  great  hardships  and  privations,  and 
died  with  his  head  in  the  lap  of  his  sister. 

The  four  bodies  were  divested  of  their  flesh  and  the  same  dried. 

Although  none  partook  of  their  own  kindred  the  sights  were  blood- 
curdling. Can  any  one  express  the  horror  of  Mrs.  Foster  when  she  saw 
the  heart  of  her  beloved  brother  broiling  upon  the  coals?  Yet  did 
she  endure  it  that  she  might  succor  her  babies  and  her  mother,  who  were 
left  behind.  'I'he  Indian  guides  would  not  partake  of  the  revolting  food 
but  sat  apart  in  mute  dejection.  •  Starved  bodies  possess  little  nutriment, 
and  soon  the  supplies  were  exhausted.  Then  they  ate  their  shoe  strings 
and  their  moccasins.  That  night  the  Indians,  hearing  words  that  boded 
no  good,  became  alarmed  and  fled.  On  the  4th,  Mr.  Eddy  and  Mary 
Graves,  who  were  together,  shot  a  deer,  drinking  its  blood  and  feasting 
on  its  flesh,  then  waiting  for  the  others  to  come  up.  It  sustained  the 
party  several  days.  Next  Jay  Fosdick  gave  out,  becoming  too  weak 
and  exhausted  to  travel.  That  night  he  died,  his  wife  staying  by  him 
until  morning,  and  then  struggling  on  to  overtake  her  companions.  Mrs. 
Foster's  husband  had  given  out  and  was  perishing,  and  Mrs.  Fosdick  con- 
sented the  flesh  of  her  husband  should  be  converted  into  food.  It  was 


600  RECORDS  OF  THE 

the  first  time  a  woman  had  been  called  on  to  use  the  knife,  but  Mrs.  Fos- 
ter cut  the  withered  flesh,  and  broiling  it  over  the  coals  gave  it  to  her 
husband  and  saved  his  life.  Mrs.  Fosdick  would  not  touch  the  food,  and  but 
for  the  deer  would  have  died.  Head,  feet,  entrails,  and  all  were  eaten,  and 
then  they  were  without  food  of  any  kind.  That  night  they  felt  would  be 
their  last,  but  when  morning  came  they  staggered  on. 

Soon  they  met  freshly  made  tracks  marked  with  blood.  It  was  the  tracks 
of  the  two  Indians  who  for  nine  days  had  been  without  food.  Starving, 
exhausted,  with  feet  bleeding  and  frozen  they  staggered  on  until  they 
reached  a  little  streamlet,  where  they  lay  down  to  die.  The  starving  whites 
came  up  and  passed  them,  for  famished  as  they  were  they  could  not  think 
of  depriving  them  of  the  little  life  left  in  their  wasted  bodies.  Already 
the  delirium  that  precedes  death  was  upon  them,  and  the  fugitives  sat 
down  to  wait  their  death.  There  were  five  women  and  two  men  left,  and 
two  of  those  must  die  unless  help  came  at  once.  William  Foster  went 
back  and  told  them  he  must  take  their  lives.  They  neither  moaned  nor 
struggled,  but  with  Indian  stoicism  submitted.  The  emigrants  heard  two 
reports  of  the  gun  and  all  was  over. 

Even  this  relief  was  but  temporary.  The  flesh  was  carefully  removed, 
saving  it  all,  and  they  pushed  on,  until  absolute  starvation  again  stared 
them  in  the  face. 

At  last  they  reached  a  valley  where  they  beheld  human  tracks,  and 
turning  a  point  discovered  an  Indian  Rancherie.  Mary  Graves,  who  tells 
it,  says  they  ran  fast  as  their  uncertain  steps  could  carry  them.  The  In- 
dians were  amazed.  Never  had  they  beheld  such  pitiable  human  creatures 
who  stood  stretching  out  their  arms  for  assistance.  A  moment  they 
looked  and  then  all  turned  and  fled,  but  soon  returned  to  aid  the  dying 
travelers.  The  women  and  children  cried  and  wailed  with  grief  at  their 
terrible  condition,  and  set  before  them  such  food  as  they  had,  which  was 
bread  made  of  acorns.  The  Indians  did  all  they  could  to  relieve  them, 
but  the  food  was  insufficient  for  their  weakened  systems,  and  they  knew 
something  more  nutritious  must  be  had  or  they  must  die.  So  again  they 
started,  with  their  Indian  friends  as  guides.  Day  after  day  they  strug- 
gled until  their  strength  was  all  gone,  and  they  laid  down  feeling  they 
could  not  rise  again.  W.  H.  Eddy  had  still  some  remaining  strength,  and 
with  an  Indian  on  either  side  he  pushed  on  fifteen  miles,  to  the  cabin  of  a 
Mr.  Tucker,  where  he  found  relief,  and  at  once  despatched  aid  to  those 
behind  who  were  brought  safely  in.  Their  names  were  W.  H.  Eddy, 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  601 

William  Foster,  Mrs.  Foster,  Mrs.  Pike,  Mrs.  McCutchen,  Sarah  Fosdick 
and  Mary  Graves.  It  was  thirty-two  days  since  they  left  Donner  Lake. 

Meanwhile,  how  fared  those  left  behind?  About  the  time  the  fifteen 
left,  William  Baylies  starved  to  death.  He  died  in  the  Graves  cabin,  and 
was  buried  by  W.  E.  Graves  and  John  Denton.  All  the  part)-  were 
starving.  Between  them  and  death  were  only  the  hides  of  the  cattle 
taken  off  in  the  fall  and  laid  on  the  roof  for  protection.  These  were  cut 
into  strips,  the  hair  singed  off,  and  the  sides  scraped  until  clean,  and  then 
boiled  and  eaten  without  salt.  It  made  a  pulpy  mass  very  much  like 
glue,  containing  very  little  nourishment. 

The  cast  away  bones  of  the  cattle  were  picked  up  and  boiled  until 
they  crumbled  in  the  teeth  and  could  be  eaten,  and  even  rags  were  toasted 
and  eaten. 

The  Donner  party,  at  the  foot  of  the  lake,  were  if  possible  worse  off. 
They  ate  everything  from  which  nourishment  could  be  extracted,  and  got 
so  weak  they  could  not  make  a  fire. 

Mrs.  Murphy  had  charge  of  the  little  nursing  babe  of  Catherine  Pike, 
and  all  the  nourishment 'she  could  give  it  was  snow  water  mixed  with  a 
little  coarse  flour. 

Jacob  Donner  was  the  first  to  die.  He  expired  while  sitting  at  the 
table  in  his  tent,  as  if  in  deep  meditation. 

Patrick  Breen  kept  a  diary,  from  which  these  particulars  are  gleaned. 
He  was  a  devout  Catholic,  and  during  the  darkest  hours  prayers  were 
regularly  read.  So  impressive  were  these  religious  ceremonies  that  one 
beautiful  girl  made  a  vow  that  if  God  saved  her  family  she  would  become 
a  Catholic.  He  did  save  them  and  she  kept  her  vow.  She  is  to-day  a 
devout  Catholic. 

Many  attempts  were  made  to  cross  the  mountains,  but  all  were  fail- 
ures, and  the  disheartened,  starving  emigrants  each  time  returned.  Jan- 
uary 27  there  was  a  death,  and  on  the  31st  another.  February  4  and 
February  7  two  children  died.  The  snow  being  so  deep  out  of  doors  one 
was  buried  in  the  Graves  cabin.  On  the  8th  and  9th  three  more  deaths 
occurred.  February  14,  another  death. 


602 


KECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


e 


CHAPTER  LIU. 

RELIEF. 

(  ~*//^J^    tl     ~^\ 

cpjfv^J  O  soon  as  PO88ible  after  the  forlorn  hope  had  got  through,  a 
X^fSsS&rta  relief  party  was  organized  to  go  to  the  aid  of  those  left  in  the 
^-V^^ffll  mountains,  but  it  took  ten  or  twelve  days  to  get  ready.  It 
was  on  the  5th  of  February  they  started,  and  three  days 
later  three  of  them  returned,  unable  to  endure  the  hard- 
ships of  the  journey. 

At  the  foot  of  the  mountains  the  horses  had  to  be 
abandoned,  as  the  snow  was  so  deep  they  could  not  travel ; 
but  the  brave  men,  carrying  fifty  pounds  each,  made  the 
journey  on  foot.  What  a  spectacle  met  their  gaze.  The  deep  snows 
had  almost  concealed  the  cabins,  and  the  inmates  lived  subterranean  lives. 
They  were  like  deep  pits,  down  which  icy  steps  led  like  going  into  a  grave. 
Dead  men  and  women  were  laying  around,  some  without  any  covering 
and  others  partially  buried  in  the  snow.  So  weak  had  they  become  that  it 
was  a  great  effort  to  hoist  the  dead  up  the  steps  of  snow  that  led  to  the 
cabins.  All  were  re-  uced  to  skeletons,  their  eyes  were  sunken  deep  in 
their  sockets  and  had  a  fierce  maniac  glare  terrible  to  behold,  their  faces 
were  haggard,  woe-begone  and  sepulcheral.  It  was  seldom  a  voice  was 
heard,  but  when  heard  was  weak,  tremulous  and  pitiful.  Food,  there  was 
absolutely  none. 

Wood  was  plentiful,  but  to  these  weak,-  starving  creatures  it  was  a 
herculean  task  to  prepare  it.  Their  numb,  fleshless  fingers  could  hardly 
guide  an  ax,  and  it  was  more  than  their  feeble  strength  could  do  to  wield  it. 
Milton  Elliot  died  in  the  Bree  •  cabin.  There  were  no  men  about  and 
Mrs.  Breen  and  her  daughter  by  tugging,  pushing  and  lifting  as  best  they 
could,  got  the  body  up  the  steps.  And  now  it  seemed  Virginia  Reed,  the 
brave  little  girl  who  bound  up  the  cruel  wounds  on  her  father's  head,  who 
braved  the  wrath  of  the  infuriate  men  determined  upon  taking  his  life, 
and  conveyed  to  him  arms  and  provisions;  who  had  been  the  life, 
the  hope,  the  stay  of  the  cabin  and  camp,  must  die.  Her  stomach 
had  grown  so  weak  that  it  could  no  longer  endure  the  nauseating 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  603 

boiled  hides,  and  they  had  nothing  else  to  give.  Good  Mrs.  Breen 
was  the  first  to  notice  the  signs  of  dissolution,  and  softly  calling  her 
mother,  they  ascended  to  the  snow  above  to  confer  upon  it  away  from  the 
healing  of  the  girl.  Together  they  knelt  and  prayed,  and  were  talking 
despairingly  of  the  future,  when  an  unusual  noise  was  heard  above 
them,  and  then  the  shout  of  a  strong  man.  It  was  the  relief  party  sent 
out  by  the  forlorn  hope.  Virginia  Reed's  life  was  saved. 

Captain  Ileasin  Tucker  led  the  party,  an  old  acquaintance  of  the  Graves 
family,  to  whose  cabin  he  hastened.  Famished,  indeed,  they  were. 
Anxiously  Mrs.  Graves  asked  about  her  dear  husband,  and  Captain 
Tucker  had  not  the  heart  to  tell  her  the  truth,  and  so  he  said  they  were 
well.  So  too  they  deceived  Mrs.  Murphy  about  her  dead  son. 

Mrs.  Graves  was  a  noble-hearted  woman,  specially  praised  for  her  un- 
stinted charity.  She  was  generous  to  a  fault,  and  no  one  was  turned  from 
her  door  without  food  while  she  had  it  to  give. 

The  relief  party  started  back  in  a  couple  of  days,  and  twenty-three 
persons  accompanied  them,  among  whom  were  William  C.,  Eleanor  and 
Lovina  Grraves.  Mrs.  Pike's  child  and  Mrs.  Kirby's  child  were  carried 
by  the  party. 

Before  they  had  proceeded  two  miles  two  of  Mrs.  Reed's  children 
showed  such  signs  of  weakness  that  it  was  not  safe  to  proceed,  and 
Aquilla  Glover  so  informed  her.  Bitter  was  her  grief,  and  to  cherish  her 
feelings  Mr.  Glover  promised  to  return  when  he  reached  Bear  Valley  and 
take  them  over.  Turning  to  him,  she  said:  "Are  you  a  Mason?"  He  re- 
plied, "I  am."  "Will  you  promise  me  upon  the  word  of  a  Mason  that  you 
will  come  back  and  get  my  children  ?"  Mr.  Glover  made  the  promise,  and 
the  little  ones  were  by  him  taken  back  to  the  cabins.  In  the  gloomiest 
moment  of  her  life  the  mother  remembered  her  husband  deeply  revered  the 
order,  and  she  felt  if  her  children  must  be  left,  she  would  trust  this  Brother 
to  care  for  them.  The  party  were  placed  on  short  allowance  from  the 
start,  and  each  day  it  was  cut  shorter  until  they  had  for  a  day's  rations 
but  two  pieces  of  meat  the  size  of  one's  finger. 

On  the  evening  of  the  first  day  a  death  occurred.  It  was  the  infant 
child  of  Mrs  Keseberg.  Her  only  boy  had  starved  to  death  at  the  cabin, 
and  her  grief  was  inconsolable. 

When  camp  was  pitched  at  night  John  Denton  was  missing.  They 
went  back  along  the  route  and  found  him  lying  on  the  snow,  entirely  ex- 
hausted and  asleep.  They  roused  him  and  took  him  to  camp.  He  appre- 


604  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

ciated  their  kindness  but  declared  he  could  not  stand  another  day's  travel. 
And  true  enough  after  walking  a  little  way  he  gave  out  and  sat  down 
deciding  that  he  could  go  no  farther.  His  companions  built  a  fire  and 
leaving  some  food  went  on.  Their  necessities  were  too  great  for  them  to 
wait.  Denton  was  a  gunsmith  and  worked  in  metals,  and  the  first  one  to 
discover  gold  in  California.  In  the  ashes  of  the  Graves  cabin  he  found  a 
yellow  metal  which  he  declared  was  gold  and  retained  the  piece  as  long  as 
he  lived.  The  existence  of  gold  in  California  at  that  time  was  not  knoAvn 
but  afterwards  there  were  extensive  mining  camps  in  the  vicinity,  and 
since  gold  exists  in  the  soil  there,  it  is  more  than  probable  the  statement  is 
correct.  The  second  relief  party  found  his  remains  untouched,  and  beside 
him  a  memorandum  book  on  one  leaf  of  which  was  inscribed  the  following 
beautiful  poem,  and  there  too  lay  the  pencil  with  which  it  was  penned. 
It  is  inexpressibly  sad  and  beautiful. 

Oh  after  many  many  years, 

How  sweet  it  Is  to  come 
Back  to  the  dwelling  place  of  youth, 

Our  first  and  dearest  home  ; 
To  turn  away  our  wearied  eyes 

From  proud  ambition's  towers, 
And  wander  in  those  summer  fields, 

The  scenes  of  boyhood's  hours. 

But  I  am  changed  since  last  I  gazed 

Upon  that  tranquil  scene, 
And  sat  beneath  the  old  witch  elm 

That  shades  the  village  green, 
And  watched  my  boat  upon  the   brook, 

It  was  a  regal  galley, 
And  sighed  not  for  a  joy  on  earth, 

Beside  tha  happy  valley. 

I  wish  I  could  once  more  recall 

That  bright  and  blissful  joy, 
And  summon  to  my  weary  heart 

The  feelings  of  a  boy  ; 
But  now  on  scenes  of  past  delight. 

I  look  and  feel  no  pleasure, 
As  misers  on  the  bed  of  death, 

Gaze  coldly  on  their  treasures. 

Just  as  their  last  provisions  were  exhausted,  they  reached  a  place 
where  Capt.  Tucker  had  cached  a  supply,  tied  up  in  a  tree.  To  their  in- 
exepivssible  grief  and  dismay  they  were  gone.  Some  wild  animals  had 


SAD  STORY  OF  THE  GRAVES  FAMILY.  605 

eaten  the  ropes  and  destroyed  them.  Death  stared  them  in  the  face,  and 
the  strongest  man  trembled  at  the  prospect. 

But  soon  they  met  James  F.  Reed,  and  the  little  party  with  him  was 
laden  with  provisions  for  the  sufferers.  Taking  just  sufficient  for  their 
immediate  wants  tach  passed  on.  The  meeting  between  Reed  and  his 
family  under  the  circumstances,  was  very  touching,  and  after  a  simple 
greeting  he  continued  his  journey  knowing  full  well  that  an  hour's  delay 
might  cost  a  human  life. 

At  Bear  Valley  Capt.  Tucker  had  another  cache  of  provisions,  and 
these  were  safe.  The  small  quantity  distributed  could  not  satisfy  their 
hunger,  and  great  care  was  taken  that  the  starving  people  did  not  get  too 
much.  After  a  sufficient  quantity  was  distributed,  the  remainder  was 
hung  up  in  a  tree.  During  the  night  a  boy  named  Hook  climbed  the  tree 
and  ate  until  his  hunger  was  appeased.  It  was  a  fatal  act.  In  the  morn- 
ing he  could  not  move,  and  the  camp  went  on  without  him.  "William 
Murphy's  feet  were  swollen  and  blistered  so  that  he  could  go  no  further, 
and  he,  too,  was  left.  A  camp  keeper  likewise  remained.  When  all  had 
gone,  William  Murphy  rose  up  and  followed.  For  twft  days  he  walked 
barefoot  on  the  snow,  his  feet  frozen  and  bleeding. 

In  marciung,  the  leader  provided  with  snow  shoes  went  ahead  and  the 
rest  followed,  stepping  in  his  tracks.  Little  James  Reed  could  not  take 
such  long  steps  and  had  to  go  partly  on  his  knees,  yet  he  got  through  with 
the  rest. 

Mr.  Reed  found  the  inmates  in  the  cabins  at  the  lake  and  on  the  creek 
in  a  sad  condition,  but  overjoyed  at  the  prospect  of  relief.  Food  was  dis- 
tributed sparingly  that  harm  might  not  come  from  over  eating.  At  Kese- 
berg's  cabin  was  Foster's  and  Reed's  little  children.  They  were  in  bed 
and  crying  incessantly  for  food.  For  fourteen  days  they  had  not  risen  or 
been  moved  from  the  bed. 

The  threatening  appearance  of  the  weather  impelled  Mr.  Reed  to  at 
once  return.  With  him  went  seventeen  persons,  among  whom  were  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Graves,  Nancy  Graves,  Jonathan,  Franklin,  and  her  daughter 
Elizabeth  Jr.  All  were  weak  and  emaciated  and  it  was  evident  the  journey 
would  be  slow  and  painful. 

Mrs.  Donner's  husband  was  an  invalid,  and  the  faithful  wife  would 
not  leave  him  even  to  save  her  own  life.  The  party  scarcely  made  three 
miles  the  first  day,  and  then  went  into  camp.  At  leaving  Mrs.  Graves 
took  with  her  a  considerable  sum  of  money,  but  how  much  is  unknown, 


I 

600  RECORDS    OF    THE   OLDEN    TIME. 

Geo.  Sparr  paid  her  husband  $1,500,  and  it  is  not  probable  much  of  this 
was  used  in  procuring  an  outfit.  The  first  night  some  one  of  the  party 
jokingly  said  they  would  play  a  game  of  cards  to  see  who  should  have  her 
money.  The  next  morning  she  staid  behind  and  secreted  it.  All  that  is 
known  is,  that  she  buried  it  behind  a  big  rock  on  the  north  side  of  Donner 
Lake.  So  far  as  known  it  has  never  been  found. 

/ 

The  threatening  storm  came  in  all  its  fury,  and  the  poor  immigrants 
were  exposed  to  its  pitiless  blasts.  They  were  shelterless,  supperless  and 
disheartened,  and  sank  down  upon  the  snow,  some  never  to  rise  again. 
Except  for  the  exertions  of  James  Reed  this  dreadful  night  all  must 
have  perished.  He  labored  at  the  fires,  he  piled  snow  against  the  shel- 
tering boughs,  he  shook  it  from  the  poor  sleepers.  But  there  is  a  limit  to 
human  endurance  and  while  saving  others  he  was  literally  freezing.  He 
labored  until  sightless,  benumbed  and  half  dying  he  sank  down  on  the 
snow.  Providentially  Mrs.  Breen  awoke.  The  logs  on  which  the  fire 
rested  had  given  away,  the  coals  dropped  on  the  snow  and  had  gone  out 
and  soon  all  woijld  have  been  in  daakness.  The  camp  was  quickly  roused 
and  Reed  was  cared  for.  All  were  nearly  frozen.  Hiram  Miller's  hands 
were  so  cold  and  frosted  that  the  skin  cracked  when  he  strove  to  split 
some  kindling.  The  night  was  the  coldest  many  of  them  had  ever  known, 
and  in  the  darkness  and  in  the  storm  the  weary  soul  of  Mrs.  Graves  put 
out  on  the  unknown  sea  of  eternity.  She  was  one  of  the  noblest  and  self- 
sacrificing  mothers  in  the  party.  Her  life  was  devoted  to  her  children, 
and  for  them  she  yielded  it  up. 

Mrs.  Farnham,  who  gathered  the  particulars  from  one  who  was  present 
thus  describes  the  closing  scene :  "Mrs.  Graves  lay  with  hsr  babe  and 
three  or  four  children  by  the  side  of  the  fire.  The  storm  raged  violently 
all  night,  and  she  watched  through  it,  taking  little  snatches  of  rest,  and 
rousing  herself  to  brush  the  snow  from  the  sleepers.  Toward  morning 
one  of  the  little  Grave's  girls  called  her  mother's  name.  The  call  was 
repeated  impatiently,  and  Mrs.  Breen  rebuked  the  child,  telling  her  to  let 
her  mother  rest.  Presently  Mrs.  Graves  spoke  in  a  quite  unnatural  voice 
and  Mrs.  Breen  asked  one  of  the  men  to  go  and  see  to  her.  •  He  found 
the  poor  sufferer  almost  gone,  and  taking  the  infant,  shook  the  snow  fr<  >m 
the  blanket  and  covered  her  as  well  as  he  could.  Presently  Mrs.  Breen 
went  and  found  her  cold  in  death.  Her  poor  starving  child  moaned 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES   FAMILY.  607 

piteously  in  the  arms  of  it's  young  sister,  but  the  mother's  heart  could  no 
more  warm  or  nourish  it." 

Meanwhile  the  snow  came  pitilessly  down  without  ceasing.  For  three 
days  it  stormed  incessantly,  and  none  can  imagine  the  dread  desolation  of 
the  scene.  It  is  best  told  in  Bret  Harte's  story  of  "Gabriel  Conroy." 

"Snow  everywhere.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach — fifty  miles  looking 
southward  from  the  highest  white  peak.  Filling  ravines  and  gulches  and 
dropping  from  the  walls  of  canyons  in  white  shroud  like  drifts  fashioning 
the  dividing  ridge  into  the  likeness  of  a  monstrous  grave,  hiding  the  basis 
of  giant  pines  and  completely  covering  young  trees  and  larches,  rimming 
with  porcelain  the  bowl-like  edges  of  still,  cold  lakes,  and  undulating  in 
motionless,  white  billows  to  the  distant  horizon.  Snow  lying  everywhere 
on  the  California  Sierras,  and  still  falling.  It  had  been  snowing  in  finely 
granulated  powder,  in  damp,  spongy  flakes,  in  thin,  feathery  plumes; 
snowing  from  a  leaden  sky  steadily;  snowing  fiercely;  shaken  out  of  black 
purple  clouds  in  flocculent  masses,  or  dropping  in  long,  level  lines  like 
white  lancets  from  the  broken  and  tumbled  heavens;  but  always  steadily. 
The  woods  were  so  choked  with  it,  it  had  so  cushioned  and  muffled  the 
ringing  rocks  and  echoing  hills,  that  all  sound  was  deadened.  The 
strongest  "gust,  the  fiercest  blast  awoke  no  sigh  from  the  snow-packed  rigid 
piles  of  frost.  There  was  no  cracking  of  bough,  no  crackle  of  underbrush; 
the  overladen  branches  of  fir  and  pine  yielded  and  gave  way  without  a 
sound.  The  silence  was  vast,  measureless,  complete." 

No  description  can  do  justice  to  that  awful  night.  Even  the  pen  of 
the  romancer  fails  to  reproduce  its  dreadful  horrors. 

Mrs.  Breen  laid  her  husband  and  four  children  together,  and  while 
they  slept  watched  by  the  fire,  with  only  moccasins  on  her  feet  and  a 
blanket  drawn  over  her  head,  within  which  she  shielded  her  poor,  emaci- 
ated baby.  Her  milk  had  dried  up,  and  the  babe  was  so  poor  and  lifeless 
that  each  hour  she  expected  it  to  expire. 

The  brave  men  who  had  periled  their  lives  to  save  the  poor  emigrants 
felt  themselves  in  imminent  danger  of  death.  They  were  powerless 
to  carry  the  helpless  and  starving  children  through  the  soft,  yielding 
snow,  and  it  was  doubtful  whether  they  could  ever  reach  the  settle- 
ments, even  if  unencumbered.  Isaac  Donner,  one  of  the  sons  of  Jacob 
and  Elizabeth  Donner,  died  the  second  night.  He  was  sleeping  on  a  bed 


608  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

of  pine  boughs  between  his  sister  Mary  and  Patty  Reed,  and  died  so 
quietly  that  neither  of  them  awoke. 

In  the  deep  snow,  and  the  weak  and  starving  condition  of  the  fugitives, 
progress  was  impossible,  and  yet  to  remain  was  death.  The  relief  party 
felt  that  the  only  hope  was  to  hasten  to  the  settlements  and  send  back 
relief.  Solomon  Hook  thought  himself  able  to  travel,  and  joined  the  party. 
Hiram  Miller,  an  old  friend  of  the  Reed  family,  took  Francis  Reed  in  his 
arms,  and  Patty  Reed,  full  of  courage  and  hope,  refused  to  be  carried, 
and  started  on  foot. 

With  what  emotions  did  the  poor  sufferers  in  Starved  Camp  see 
the  party  disappear  among  the  pines.  There  was  no  food,  and  death  had 
already  claimed  two  of  their  number.  What  a  pitiable  group  it  was. 
Could  a  situation  more  desolate  and  deplorable  be  imagined.  Mr.  Breen,  as 
has  before  been  mentioned,  was  feeble  and  sickly,  and  upon  his  faithful 
wife  devolved  the  care  not  only  of  her  helpless  family,  but  of  all  who 
remained  in  camp.  John  Breen,  their  eldest  son,  was  the  strongest  and 
most  vigorous,  yet  the  following  incident  shows  how  near  he  was  to  death's 
door:  The  fire  had  melted  a  deep  cavity  in  the  snow,  dowi,  which  the 
men  sometimes  descended,  and  into  this  pit  the  boy  stumbled  and  fell,  bxit 
fortunately  was  rescued.  It  was  some  time  before  he  was  restored  to 
consciousness.  Mrs.  Breen  had  saved  a  small  piece  of  sugar,  which  she 
placed  between  his  teeth,  and  that  seemed  to  revive  him.  He  lived,  and 
is  now  the  head  of  a  large  family  in  San  Benito  County. 

Mrs.  Breen's  younger  children,  Patrick,  James,  Peter,  and  her  babe 
Isabella,  were  completely  helpless  and  dependent.  So,  too,  were  the 
orphan  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves.  Nancy  was  «nly  about  nine 
years  old,  and  upon  her  devolved  the  task  of  caring  for  the  little  babe 
Elizabeth,  and  to  her  lasting  honor  be  it  said,  although  she  was  dying  of 
hunger,  she  faithfully  tended,  cared  for  and  saved  her  baby  sister.  Aside 
from  little  bits  of  sugar,  this  baby  and  Mrs.  Breen's  had  nothing  for  an 
entire  week  but  snow  water.  Besides  Nancy  and  Elizabeth  there  were  of 
the  Graves  children  Jonathan,  aged  seven,  and  Franklin,  aged  five. 
Franklin  soon  perished.  Starvation  and  exposure  had  so  reduced  his 
feeble  person  that  he  could  not  endure  the  continued  fasting.  Nancy 
Graves  became  the  wife  of  R.  W.  Williamson,  an  able,  eloquent  and 
devout  divine  of  Los  Gatos,  Santa  Clara  County. 

An  accident  happened  to  Mary  Donner,  an  estimable  girl.       She  had 


SAD    STOKY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  609 

frozen  her  feet,  and  they  were  insensible  to  pain.  Happening  to  be  too 
near  the  fire,  they  were  dreadfully  burned,  and  she  suffered  excruciating 
agony,  yet  evinced  remarkable  fortitude.  She  ultimately  had  to  submit 
to  a  partial  amputation  of  her  foot. 

Of  the  fourteen  who  staated  out  three — Mrs.  Graves,  her  boy  Frank- 
lin, and  Isaac  Donner — lay  dead  upon  the  snow,  and  the  eleven  waiting 
relief  were  the  Breen  family  of  seven,  Mary  Donner  and  the  three  Graves 
children. 

Meantime,  how  fared  it  with  those  who  went  pressing  on  toward 
the  southwest?  At  each  step  they  sank  above  their  knees  in  snow, 
each  following  in  the  footsteps  of  the  leader.  Only  the  strongest  could 
endure  the  severe  hardships  of  forcing  a  way  through  the  interminable 
drifts,  and  the  men  alternated  in  leading  as  their  strength  allowed.  Patty 
Reed  was  too  small  to  take  the  long  steps,  and  the  over-exertion  soon  told 
upon  her;  yet  so  resolute  and  courageous  was  she  that  she  would  not 
admit  she  was  either  cold  or  fatigued.  She  was  but  eight  years  old,  but 
had  a  wonderful  mind  for  one  of  her  age.  She  was  too  weak  to  endure 
her  journo^,  and  gradually  her  system  gave  way.  Her  sight  grew  dim, 
and  the  path,  the  forest,  the  bleak  mountains  faded  from  her  eyes,  but  in 
their  stead  came  a  vision  of  angels  and  brilliant  stars.  It  was  a  picture 
seldom  seen  by  mortal  eyes,  full  of  glory  and  brightness.  Her  wan  face 
became  illumined  with  smiles,  and  she  began  to  talk  of  the  radiant  forms 
that  hovered  near  her,  the  angels,  the  stars,  and  the  happiness  she  felt. 
McCutcheon  looked  on  the  girl  and  said  to  her  father:  "  Why  Reed,  Patty 
is  dying."  It  was  too  true. 

At  once  the  party  stopped  and  went  into  camp,  that  they  might  minis- 
ter to  the  little  girl.  At  the  starved  camp  Reed  had  taken  the  frozen 
sacks  in  which  food  had  been  carried,  and  scraping  from  the  seams  little 
crumbs  of  bread  that  adhered,  placed  them  in  the  thumb  of  his  mitten  for 
an  emergency  like  this.  Little  did  he  imagine  such  an  emergency  would 
come  so  soon.  Warming  and  moistening  the  crumbs  between  his  own 
lips,  the  father  placed  them  in  the  child's  mouth.  Others  wrapped  blan- 
kets round  her  chilled  form,  chafed  her  feet,  and  gradually  she  returned 
to  life,  her  first  words  being  a  regret  that  they  had  wakened  her  from  that 
beautiful  dream.  To  this  day  she  cherishes  the  memory  of  that  enchant- 
ing vision.  After  this  Patty  was  carried  on  the  men's  backs. 

Without  further  accident  they  arrived  at  Bear  Valley,  where  Past 


610 


RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 


Midshipman  Woodworth,  with  supplies,  had  idly  waited  without  an  sff  oii 
to  succor  those  known  to  be  in  the  mountains.  His  name  deserves  to  be 
embalmed  in  infamy. 

Patty  Reed  is  now  Mrs.  Frank  Lewis,  of  San  Jose,  California.  She 
has  a  pleasant  home  and  a  beautiful  family  of  grown-up  daughters ;  yet 
never  has  she  forgotten  that  dreary,  desolate  journey  in  the  mountains  that 
so  nearly  terminated  her  existence. 


SAD    STORY   OF   THE   GRAVES   FAMILY.  611 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

A   MOTHER    AT    STARVED    CAMP. 


have  told  how  Mrs.  Breen  was  left  with  the  living  and 
the  dead  at  Starved  Camp,  and  its  history  cannot  better 
be  given  than  has  been  done  by  Mrs.  Farnham,  whose  ac- 
count we  append : 

I  There  was  no  food  in  Starved  Camp.  There  war 
nothing  to  eat  save  a  few  seeds,  tied  in  bits  of  cloth,  that 
had  been  brought  along  by  some  one, —  and  the  precious 
lump  of  sugar.  There  were  also  a  few  teaspoonfuls 
of  tea.  They  sat  and  lay  by  the  fire  most  of  the  day,  with  what  heavy 
hearts  who  shall  know.  They  were  upon  about  thirty  feet  of  snow.  The 
dead  lay  before  them,  a  ghastlier  sight  in  the  sunshine  that  succeeded  the 
storm  than  when  the  dark  clouds  overhung  them.  They  had  no  words  of 
cheer  to  speak  to  each  other — no  courage  or  hope  to  share — but  those 
which  pointed  to  a  life  where  hunger  and  cold  could  never  come,  and 
their  benumbed  faculties  were  scarcely  able  to  seize  upon  a  consolation  so 
remote  from  the  thoughts  and  wants  that  absorbed  their  whole  being. 

"  A  situation  like  this  will  not  awaken  in  common  natures  religious 
trust.  Under  such  protracted  Buffering,  the  animal  outgrows  the  spiritual 
in  frightful  disproportion.  Yet  the  mother's  sublime  faith,  which  had 
brought  her  thus  far  through  her  agonies,  with  a  heart  still  warm  toward 
those  who  shared  them,  did  not  fail  her  now.  She  spoke  gently  to 
one  and  another;  asked  her  husband  to  repeat  the  Litany,  and  the  children 
to  join  her  in  the  responses ;  and  endeavored  to  fix  their  minds  upon  the 
time  when  relief  would  probably  come.  Nature,  as  unerringly  as  philoso- 
phy could  have  done,  taught  her  that  the:  only  hope  of  sustaining  those 
about  her  was  to  set  before  them  a  termination  of  their  sufferings. 

What  days  and  nights  were  those  that  went  by  while  they  waited. 
Life  waning  visibly  in  those  about  her;  not  a  morsel  of  food  to  offer  them; 
both  her  own  infant  and  the  little  one  that  had  been  cherished  and  saved 
through  all  by  the  mother  now  dead,  wasting  hourly  into  the  more  perfect 
image  of  death ;  her  husband  worn  to  a  skeleton ;  it  needed  the  fullest 


612  KECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

measure  of  exalted  faith,  of  womanly  tenderness  and  self-sacrifice,  to  sus- 
tain her  through  such  a  season.  She  watched  by  night  as  well  as  by  day; 
she  gathered  wood  to  keep  them  warm ;  she  boiled  the  handful  of  tea  and 
dispensed  it  to  them;  and  when  she  found  one  sunken  and  speechless,  she 
broke  with  her  teeth  a  morsel  of  the  precious  sugar  and  put  it  on  his  lips. 
She  fed  her  babe  freely  on  snow  water,  and  scanty  as  was  the  wardrobe 
she  had,  she  managed  to  get  fresh  clothing  to  its  skin  two  or  three  times 
a  week.  Where,  one  asks  in  wonder  and  reverence,  did  she  get  the 
strength  and  courage  for  all  this  ?  She  sat  all  night  by  her  family,  her 
elbows  on  her  knees,  brooding  over  the  meek  little  victims  that  lay  there, 
watching  those  who  slept,  and  occasionally  dozing,  with  a  fearful  con- 
sciousness of  their  terrible  condition  always  upon  her.  Che  sense  of  peril 
never  slumbered.  Many  times  during  the  night  she  went  to  the  sleepers 
to  ascertain  if  they  all  still  breathed.  She  put  her  hand  under  their  blan- 
kets and  held  it  before  the  mouth.  In  this  way  she  assured  herself  that 
they  were  yet  alive.  But  once  her  blood  curdled  to  find,  on  approaching 
her  hand  to  the  lips  of  one  of  her  own  children,  there  was  no  warm  breath 
upon  it.  She  tried  to  open  the  mouth,  and  found  the  jaws  set- 

She  roused  her  husband,  "  Oh !  Patrick,  man !  arise  and  help  me ! 
James  is  dyiug ! " 

"Let  him  die ! "  said  the  miserable  father;  "he  will  be  better  off  than 
any  of  us." 

She  was  terribly  shocked  by  this  reply.  In  her  own  expressive  lan- 
guage, her  "'heart  stood  still  when  she  heard  it."  She  was  bewildered, 
and  knew  not  where  to  set  her  weary  hands  to  work  ;  but  she  recovered 
in  a  few  moments  and  began  to  chafe  the  breast  and  hands  of  the  perish- 
ing boy.  She  broke  a  bit  of  sugar,  and  with  considerable  effort  forced  it 
between  his  teeth  with  a  few  drops  of  snow  water.  She  saw  him  swallow, 
then  a  slight  convulsive  motion  stirred  his  features,  he  stretched  his  limbs 
feeblyuand  in  a  moment  more  opened  his  eyes  and  looked  upon  her.  How 
fervent  were  her  thanks  to  the  Great  Father,  whom  she  forgot  not  day  or 
night. 

Thus  she  went  on.  The  tea  leaves  were  eaten,  the  seeds  chewed,  the 
sugar  all  dispensed.  The  days  were  bright  and,  compared  with  the  nights, 
comfortable.  Occasionally,  when  the  ,;  un  shone,  their  voices  were  heard, 
though  generally  they  sat  or  laid  in  a  kind  of  stupor  from  which  she  often 
found  it  alarmingly  difficult  to  arouse  them.  When  the  gray  evening  twi- 
light drew  its  deepiuing  curtain  over  the  cold  glittering  heavens  and  the 


SAD   STORY   OP   THE   GRAVES   FAMILY.  613 

icy  waste,  and  when  the  famishing  bodies  had  been  covered  from  the 
frost  that  pinched  them  with  but  little  less  keenness  than  the  unrelenting 
hunger,  the  solitude  seemed  to  rend  her  very  brain.  Her  own  powers  fal- 
tered. But  she  said  her  prayers  over  many  times  in  the  darkness  as  well 
as  the  light,  and  always  with  renewed  trust  in  Him  who  had  not  yet  for- 
saken her;  and  thus  she  sat  out  her  weary  watch.  After  the  turning  of 
the  night  she  always  sat  watching  for  the  morning  star,  which  seemed, 
every  time  she  saw  it  rise  in  the  cold  eastern  sky,  to  renew  the  promise, 
"As  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength  be." 

Their  fire  had  melted  the  snow  to  a  considerable  depth,  and  they  were 
lying  on  the  bank  above.  Thus  they  had  less  of  its  heat  than  they  needed, 
and  found  some  difficulty  in  getting  the  fuel  she  gathered  placed  so  it 
would  burn. 

One  morning  after  she  had  hailed  her  messenger  of  promise,  and  the 
light  had  increased  so  as  to  render  objects  visible  in  the  distance,  she 
looked  as  usual  over  the  white  expanse  that  lay  to  the  southwest,  to  see 
if  any  dark  moving  specks  were  visible  upon  its  surface.  Only  the  tree- 
tops,  which  she  had  scanned  so  often  as  to  be  quite  familiar  with  their  ap- 
pearance, were  to  be  seen.  With  a  heavy  heart  she  brought  herself  back 
from  that  distant  hope  to  consider  what  was  immediately  about  her.  The 
fire  had  sunk  so  far  away  that  they  had  felt  but  little  of  its  warmth  the 
last  two  nights,  and  casting  her  eyes  down  into  the  snow-pit,  whence  it 
sent  forth  only  a  dull  glow,  she  thought  she  saw  the  welcome  face  of  be- 
loved mother  Earth.  It  was  such  a  renewing  sight  after  their  long,  freez- 
ing separation  from  it! 

She  immediately  aroused  her  eldest  son,  John,  and  with  a  great  deal 
of  difficulty  and  repeated  words  of  cheering  and  encouragement  brought 
him  to  understand  that  she  wished  him  to  descend  by  one  of  the  tree-tops 
which  had  fallen  in  so  as  to  make  a  sort  of  ladder,  and  see  if  they  could 
reach  the  naked  earth,  and  if  it  were  possible  for  them  all  to  go  down. 
She  trembled  with  fear  at  the  vacant  silence  in  which  he  at  first  gazed  at 
her,  but  at  length,  after  she  had  told  him  a  great  many  times,  he  said 
"Yes,  mother,"  and  went. 

He  reached  the  bottom  safely,  and  presently  spoke  to  her.  There  was 
naked,  dry  earth  under  his  feet ;  it  was  warm  and  he  wished  her  to  come 
down.  She  laid  her  baby  beside  some  of  the  sleepers,  and  descended. 
Immediately  she  determined  upon  taking  them  all  down.  How  good,  she 
thought  as  she  descended  the  boughs,  was  the  God  whom  she  trusted. 


G14  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

By  perseversnce,  by  entreaty,  by  encouragement,  and  with  her  own  aid 
she  got  them  into  this  snug  shelter. 

Relief  came  not,  and  as  starvation  crept  closer  and  closer  to  himself 
and  those  around  him,  Patrick  Breen  determined  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
employ  the  means  of  sustaining  life  which  God  seemed  to  have  placed 
before  them.  The  lives  of  all  might  be  saved  by  resorting  to  such  food 
as  others  in  like  circumstances  had  subsisted  upon.  Mrs.  Breen,  however, 
declared  that  she  would  die,  or  see  her  children  die,  before  her  life  or 
theirs  should  be  preserved  by  such  means.  If  ever  the  father  gave  to  the 
dying  children,  it  was  without  her  consent  or  knowledge.  She  never 
tasted,  nor  knew  of  her  children  partaking. 

Mrs.  Farnham  says  that  when  Patrick  Breen  ascended  to  obtain  the 
dreadful  repast,  his  wife,  frozen  with  horror,  hid  her  face  in  her  hands  and 
could  not  look  up.  She  was  conscious  of  his  return,  and  of  something 
going  on  about  the  fire,  but  she  could  not  bring  herself  to  uncover  her 
eyes  until  all  had  subsided  again  into  silence.  Her  husband  remarked  that 
perhaps  they  were  wrong  in  rejecting  a  means  of  sustaining  life  of  which 
others  had  availed  themselves,  but  she  put  away  the  suggestion  so  posi- 
tively that  it  was  never  renewed  nor  acted  upon  by  any  of  her  family. 

She  and  her.  children  were  now,  indeed,  reaching  the  utmost  verge  of 
life.  A  little  more  battle  with  the  grim  enemies  that  had  pursued  them 
so  relentlessly — twenty-four,  or  at  most,  forty-eight  hours  of  such  war- 
fare, and  all  would  be  ended.  The  infants  still  breathed,  but  were  so 
wasted  they  could  only  be  moved  by  raising  them  bodily  with  the  hands. 
It  seemed  as  if  even  their  light  weight  would  have  dragged  the  limbs  from 
their  bodies.  Occasionally  through  the  day  she  ascended  the  tree  to  look 
out.  It  was  an  incident  now,  and  seemed  to  kindle  more  life  than  when 
it  only  required  a  turn  of  the  head  or  a  glance  of  the  eye  to  tell  that  there 
was  no  living  thing  near  them;  She  could  no  longer  walk  on  the  snow, 
but  she  had  still  strength  enough  to  crawl  from  tree  to  tree  and  gather  a 
few  boughs,  which  bhe  threw  along  before  her  to  the  pit  and  piled  them 
in  to  renew  the  fire. 

The  eighth  day  was  passed.  On  the  ninth  morning  she  ascended  to 
watch  for  her  star  of  mercy.  Clear  and  bright  it  stood  over  against  her 
beseeching  gaze,  set  in  the  light  liquid  blue  that  overflows  the  pathway  of 
the  opening  day.  She  prayed  earnestly  as  she  gazed,  for  she  knew  there 
were  but  few  hours  of  life  in  those  dearest  to  her.  If  human  aid  came 
not  that  day,  some  eyes  that  would  soon  look  imploringly  into  hers  would 


0 

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SAD  STORY  OF  THE  GRAVES  FAMILY.  G17 

be  closed  in  death  before  that  star  would  rise  again.  Would  she  herself,  with 
all  her  endurance  and  resisting  love,  live  to  see  it?  Were  they  at  length 
to  perish  ?  Great  God !  should  it  be  permitted  that  they  who  had  been 
preserved  through  so  much,  should  die  at  last  so  miserably? 

Her  eyes  were  dim  and  her  sight  wavering.  She  could  not  distinguish 
trees  from  men  on  the  snow,  but  had  they  been  near  she  could  have  heard 
them,  for  her  ear  had  grown  so  sensitive  that  the  slightest  unaccustomed 
noise  arrested  her  attention.  She  went  below  with  a  heavier  heart  than 
ever  before.  She  had  not  a  word  of  hope  to  answer  the  languid,  inquir- 
ing countenances  that  were  turned  to  her  face,  and  she  was  conscious  that 
it  told  the  story  of  her  despair.  Yet  she  strove  with  some  half  insane 
words  to  suggest  that  somebody  would  surely  come  to  them  that  day. 
Another  would  be  too  late,  and  the  pity  of  men's  hearts  and  the  mercy  of 
God  would  surely  bring  them.  The  pallor  of  death  seemed  already  to  be 
stealing  over  the  sunken  countenances  that  surrounded  her,  and  weak  as 
she  was,  she  could  remain  below  but  a  few  minutes  together.  She  felt 
she  could  have  died  had  she  let  go  her  resolution  at  any  time  within  the 
last  forty-eight  hours.  They  repeated  the  Litany.  The  responses  came 
so  feebly  that  they  were  scarcely  audible,  and  the  protracted  utterances 
seemed  wearisome.  At  last  it  was  over,  and  they  rested  in  silence. 

The  sun  mounted  high  and  higher  in  the  heavens,  and  when  the  day 
was  three  or  four  hours  old,  she  placed  her  trembling  feet  again  upon  the 
ladder  to  look  out  once  more.  The  corpses  of  the  dead  lay  always  before 
her  us  she  reached  the  top — the  mother  and  the  son,  and  the  little  boy, 
whose  remains  she  could  not  even  glance  at  since  they  had  been  mutilated. 
The  blanket  that  covered  them  could  not  shut  out  the  horror  of  the 
sight. 

The  rays  of  the  sun  fell  on  her  with  a  friendly  warmth,  but  she  could 
not  look  into  the  light  that  flooded  the  white  expanse.  Her  eyes  lacked 
strength  and  steadiness,  and  she  rested  herself  against  a  tree  and  endeav- 
oredjio  gather  her  wandering  faculties  in  vain.  The  enfeebled  will  could 
no  longer  hold  rule  over  them.  She  had  broken  perceptions,  fragments  of 
visions,  contradictory  and  mixed — former  mingled  with  latter  times.  Re- 
collections of  plenty  and  rural  peace  came  up  from  her  clear  tranquil 
childhood,  which  seemed  to  have  been  another  state  of  existence ;  flashes 
of  her  latter  life — its  comfort  and  abundance — gleams  of  maternal  pride 
in  her  children  who  had  been  growing  up  about  her  to  ease  and  independ- 
ence. 


618  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

She  lived  through  all  the  phases  which  her  simple  life  had  ever  worn 
in  the  few  moments  of  repose  after  the  dizzy  effort  of  ascending;  as  the 
thin  blood  left  her  whirling  brain  and  returned  to  its  shrunken  channels, 
she  grew  more  clearly  conscious  of  the  terrible  present,  and  remembered  the 
weary  quest  upon  which  she  came.  It  was  not  the  memory  of  thought;  it 
was  that  of  love,  the  old  tugging  at  the  heart  that  had  never  relaxed  long 
enough  to  say :  "  Now  I  am  done ;  I  can  bear  no  more !"  The  miserable 
ones  down  there — for  them  her  wa  -ering  life  came  back;  at  thought  of 
them  she  turned  her  face  listlessly  the  way  it  had  so  often  gazed.  But 
this  time  something  caused  it  to  flush,  as  if  the  blood,  cold  and  thin  as  it 
was,  would  burst  its  vessels !  What  was  it  ?  Nothing  that  she  saw,  for 
her  eyes  were  quite  dimmed  by  the  sudden  access  of  excitement !  It  was 
the  sound  of  voices !  By  a  superhuman  effort  she  kept  herself  from 
falling.  Was  it  reality  or  delusion  ?  She  must  at  least  live  to  know  the 
truth.  It  came  again  and  again.  She  grew  calmer  as  she  became  more 
assured,  and  the  first  distinct  words  she  heard  uttered  were:  "There  is 
Mrs.  Breen  alive  yet,  anyhow !"  Three  men  were  advancing  toward  her. 
She  knew  that  now  there  would  be  no  more  starving.  Death  was  repelled 
for  this  time  from  the  precious  little  flock  he  had  so  long  threatened,  and 
she  might  offer  up  thanksgiving  unchecked  by  the  dreads  and  fears  that 
had  so  long  frozen  her. 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES   FAMILY.  619 


CHAPTER  LV. 

THE   RESCUE. 

>HE  men  who  reached  Starved  Camp  formed  a  part  of  the 
third  relief  party  sent  forward,  and  to  a  better  understand- 
ing of  it  some  account  of  the  efforts  made  should  be  given. 
The  first  relief  was  contributed  by  good  old  Captain 
Sutter,  to  whom  be  the  praise.  When  Jarnes  Reed  reached 
the  settlements,  he  at  once  went  to  San  Francisco  to  com- 
municate with  the  Government,  and  his  story  created  the  ' 
wildest  excitement. 
The  story  that  emigrants  were  starving  to  death  in  the  mountains  pro- 
foundly stirred  people,  and  offers  of  provisions,  horses  and  money  poured 
in  without  stint.  It  was  the  time  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  most  of  the 
able-bodied  men  were  with  the  army,  so  that  suitable  persons  to  make  the 
perilous  journey  were  not  to  be  found.  Captain  Tucker's  party,  organ- 
ized upon  the  arrival  of  the  Forlorn  Hope,  was  the  first.  Reed  and  his 
companions  were  the  second,  and  the  third  was  led  by  Eddy  and  Foster. 

Wh(  n  they  reached  the  deep  well-like  cavity  where  the  Breens  and 
the  Graves  children  were,  a  very  serious  question  arose.  Out  of  the 
eleven  but  two  were  able  to  walk.  A  storm  appeared  gathering  on  the 
mountains,  and  their  supply  of  provisions  was  limited.  It  was  proposed 
to  take  the  Graves  children  and  Mary  Donner,  leaving  the  Breens  to  wait 
the  arrival  of  another  party,  which  all  knew  meant  death. 

Oakley  and  Rhodes  favored  leaving  them,  but  Stark  said  "No,  I  will 
not  abandon  these  people.  I  am  here  on  an  errand  of  mercy  and  I  will 
not  half  do  my  work.  You  may  go,  but  I  will  stay  by  them  while  they 
and  I  live."  It  was  nobly  said,  and  nobly  did  he  perform  what  he  prom- 
ised. To  him  the  lives  of  the  entire  family  are  mainly  due.  The  greater 
part  of  the  distance  he  carried  one  of  the  Graves  and  one  of  the  Breen 
children.  He  was  a  powerful  man  and  made  light  of  carrying  the  blank- 
ets, provisions  and  some  of  the  weaker  children.  He  was  formerly  from 
Monmouth,  111. 

At  Donner  Lake  much  suffering  had  occurred.     Here  Lavina  Murphy 


(!20  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

was  left  in  charge  of  her  grandson,  Geo.  Foster,  the  child  of  James  Eddy, 
and  the  three  Donner  girls.  All  occupied  the  same  cabin,  and  with  them 
was  Keseburg. 

When  Foster  and  Eddy  arrived  their  children  were  dead.  It  is  said 
that  Keseburg  killed  and  ate  one  of  them  during  the  night,  and  while  there 
is  some  discrepancy  of  opinion  on  this  subject,  all  agree  that  he  kept  the 
remains  hanging  on  a  nail  in  the  cabin  for  use  until  consumed.  It  will  be 
remembered  he  was  charged  with  two  murders  previously,  those  of  Hard- 
coop  and  Wolfinger. 

In  the  morning  the  relief  party  started  back.  Eddy  was  to  carry 
Georgia  Donner,  Thompson,  Frances  Donner,  and  Foster,  Simon  Murphy. 
John  Baptise  and  Clark  were  to  accompany  them.  At  Alder  Creek  George 
Donner  was  at  death's  door,  but  his  faithful  wife  would  not  desert  him, 
though  well  knowing  her  life  was  the  penalty  of  remaining.  Of  ten  occu- 
pants, seven  lay  beneath  the  snows,  and  three  survived,  one  of  whom  was 
soon  to  go.  This  was  George  Donner,  the  captain  of  the  party. 

Mrs.  Murphy  was  sick,  exhausted  and  unable  to  walk.  She  had  cared 
for  others  until  her  health  and  strength  were  gone,  and  she  was  utterly 
helpless.  The  children  had  best  go,  but  she  would  remain  until  able  to 
travel.  With  her,  too,  staid  Keseberg,  who  by  reason  of  lameness,  as  he 
asserted,  was  unable  to  travel ;  though  others  assert  he  had  a  more  pow- 
erful reason  for  remaining,  —  a  desire  to  possess  himself  of  George  Don- 
ner's  property. 

The  night'  previous  to  their  leaving,  Mrs.  Tamsen  Donner,  mother 
of  the  three  little  girls,  came  up  from  Alder  Creek,  seven  miles  distant, 
to  enquire  after  her  little  ones,  whom  she  supposed  had  gone  across  the 
mountains.  Oh,  the  joy  and  the  pain  of  that  meeting.  As  they  wound 
their  arms  around  her  neck,  kissed  her  lips,  laughed  in  her  eyes  and 
twined  their  fingers  in  her  hair,  what  a  struggle  must  have  been  taking 
place  in  her  soul. 

As  the  pleading,  upturned  faces  of  her  babies  begged  her  not  to  leave 
them,  her  very  heart-strings  must  have  been  •ent  with  agony.  Well  may 
the  voice  quiver  or  the  hand  tremble,  that  attempts  to  portray  the  anguish 
of  this  mother  during  that  farewell  interview.  From  the  very  first  mo- 
ment, her  resolution  to  return  to  her  husband  remained  unshaken.  The 
members  of  the  relief  party  entreated  her  to  go  with  her  children  and 
save  her  own  life.  They  urged  that  there  could  only  be  a  few  hours  of 
life  left  in  George  Donner.  This  was  so  true  that  she  once  ventured  the 


SAD  STORY  OF  THE  GRAVES  FAMILY.  621 

request  that  they  remain  until  she  could  return  to  Alder  Creek,  and  see  if 
he  were  yet  alive.  The  gathering  storm-clouds  which  had  hovered  over 
the  summit  for  days,  compelled  them  to  refuse  this  request.  An  hour's 
delay  might  be  fatal  to  all. 

George  Dormer  knew  that  he  was  dying,  and  had  frequently  urged  his 
wife  to  leave  him,  cross  the  mountains,  and  take  care  of  her  children.  As 
she  held  her  darlings  in  her  arms,  it  required  no  prophetic  vision  to  dis- 
close pictures  of  sadness,  of  lonely  childhood,  of  longing  girlhood,  of  pil- 
lows wet  with  tears,  if  these  three  little  waifs  were  left  to  wander  friend- 
less in  California.  She  never  expressed  a  belief  that  she  would  see  that 
land  of  promise  beyond  the  Sierras.  Often  had  her  calm,  earnest  voice 
told  them  of  the  future  which  awaited  them,  and  so  far  as  possible  had 
she  prepared  them  to  meet  that  future  without  the  counsel  or  sympathy 
of  father  or  mother. 

The  night-shadows,  creeping  through  the  shivering  pines,  warned  her 
of  the  long,  dreary  way  over  which  her  tired  feet  must  pass  ere  she 
reached  her  dying  husband's  side.  She  is  said  to  have  appeared  strangely 
composed.  The  struggle  was  silent.  The  poor  bleeding  heart  brought 
not  a  single  rnoari  to  the  lips.  It  was  a  choice  between  life,  hope  and 
her  clinging  babes,  or  a  lonely  vigil  by  a  dying  husband,  and  an  unknown, 
shroudless  death  in  the  wintry  mountains.  Her  husband  was  sixty-three ; 
he  was  well  stricken  in  years,  and  his  life  was  fast  ebbing  away.  If  she 
returned  through  the  frosty  night-winds,  over  the  crisp§fveezing  snow, 
she  would  travel  fourteen  miles  that  day.  The  strong,  healthy  men  com- 
posing the  relief  parties  frequently  could  travel  but  five  or  six  miles  in  a 
day.  If  she  made  the  journey,  and  found  her  husband  was  dead,  she 
could  have  no  hope  of  returning  on  the  morrow.  She  had  suffered  too 
long  from  hunger  and  privation  to  hope  to  be  able  to  return  and  overtake 
the  relief  party.  'It  was  certain  life  or  certain  death.  On  the  side  of  the 
former  was  maternal  love  ;  on  the  side  of  the  latter,  wifely  devotion.  The 
whole  range  of  history  cannot  produce  a  parallel  example  of  adherence  to 
duty,  and  to  the  dictates  of  conjugal  fidelity.  With  quick  convulsive 
pressure  of  her  little  ones  to  her  heart;  with  a  hasty,  soul-throbbing  kiss 
upon  the  lips  of  each;  with  a  prayer  that  was  stifled  with  a  sob  of  agony, 
Tamsen  Donner  hurried  away  to  her  husband.  Through  the  gathering 
darkness,  past  the  shadowy  sentinels  of  the  forest,  they  M7atched  with 
tearful  eyes  her  retreating  form.  As  if  she  dared  not  trust  another  sight 
of  the  little  faces  —  as  if  to  escape  the  pitiful  wail  of  her  darlings  —  she 


62L*  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

ran  straight  forward  until  out  of   sight  and  hearing.     She  never  once 
looked  back. 

There  are  mental  struggles  which  so  absorb  the  being  and  soul,  that 
physical  terrors  or  tortures  are  unnoticed.  Tamsen  Conner's  mind  was 
passing  through. such  an  ordeal.  The  fires  of  Moloch,  the  dreadful  suttee, 
were  sacrifices  which  long  religious  education  sanctioned,  and  in  which 
the  devotees  perished  amidst  the  plaudits  of  admiring  multitudes.  This 
woman  had  chosen  a  death  of  solitude,  of  hunger,  of  bitter  cold,  of  pain- 
racked  exhaustion,  and  was  actuated  by  only  the  pure  principles  of  wifely 
love.  Already  the  death-damp  was  gathering  on  George  Donner's  brow. 
At  the  utmost,  she  could  hope  to  do  no  more  than  smooth  the  dying  pil- 
low, tenderly  clasp  the  fast-chilling  hand,  press  farewell  kisses  upon  the 
whitening  lips,  and  finally  close  the  dear  tired  eyes.  For  this,  only  this, 
she  was  yielding  life,  the  world  and  her  darling  babes.  Fitted  by  culture 
and  refinement  to  be  an  ornament  to  society,  qualified  by  education  to 
rear  her  daughters  to  lives  of  honor  and  usefulness,  how  it  must  have 
wrung  her  heart  to  allow  her  little  ones  to  go  unprotected  into  a  wilder- 
ness of  strangers.  But  she  could  not  leave  her  husband  to  die  alone. 
Rather  solitude,  better  death,  than  desert  the  father  of  her  children.  O 
Land  of  the  Sunset!  let  the  memory  of  this  wife's  devotion  be  ever  en- 
shrined in  the  hearts  of  your  faithful  daughters!  In  tablets  thus  pure 
engrave  the  name  of  Tamsen  Donner. 

When  the^June  sunshine  gladdened  the  Sacramento  Valley,  three 
sweet  little  barefooted  girls  walked  here  and  there  among  the  houses  and 
tents  of  Slitter's  Fort.  They  were  scantily  clothed,  and  one  carried  a  thin 
blanket.  At  night  they  said  their  prayers,  lay  down  in  whatever  tent 
they  happened  to  be,  and  folding  the  blanket  about  them  fell  asleep  in 
each  other's  arms.  When  they  were  hungry  they  asked  food  of  whom- 
soever they  met.  If  any  one  inquired  who  they  were, 'they  answered  as 
their  mother  had  taught  them:  "We  are  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Dormer."  But  they  added  something  they  had  learned  since.  It 
was,  "and  our  parents  are  dead." 

With  the  rescue  of  the  Graves  family  this  narrative  properly  ends; 
but  those  who  have  followed  the  party  thus  far  will  like  to  know  the  fate 
of  those  still  behind. 

George  Dormer  came  from  Springfield,  111.,  and  was  a  man  of  consid- 
erable wealth.  He  had  a  large  amount  of  valuable  goods,  and  considera- 
ble gold  and  silver, — how  much  is  not  known,  but  it  is  supposed  some 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  623 

ten  or  twelve  thousand  dollars  at  least.  These  facts  were  known  to 
Keseberg,  and  it  is  supposed  influenced  his  course.  It  is  claimed  he 
could  have  accompanied  the  third,  or  Foster  and  Eddy's  party,  but  chose 
to  remain.  Mrs.  Murphy  was  too  ill,  and  Mrs.  Tamsen  Donner  would  not 
leave  her  husband.  These  comprised  all  that  were  left. 

The  fourth,  or  Captain  Fallen's  relief  party  reached  the  lake  April 
17,  and  Captain  Tucker,  who  accompanied  them,  best  describes  the  awful 
sight.  ''Human  bodies  terribly  mutilated,  legs,  arms,  skulls  and  portions 
or  remains  were  scattered  in  every  direction.  Mrs.  Murphy's  body  was 
found  with  one  of  the  limbs  sawed  off,  the  saw  lying  beside  the  remains. 
Near  the  Graves  cabin  were  two'  bodies  entire  except  that  the  abdomens 
were  cut  open  and  the  entrails  removed.  In  that  dry  atmosphere  nothing 
decays,  but  bodies  shrivel  up  and  wear  away,  becoming  like  mummies. 
Strewn  about  were  skulls  which  had  been  sawn  asunder  to  extract  the 
brains,  and  skeletons  in  every  variety  of  mutilation. 

The  remains  of  George  Donner  were  found  in  the  cabin,  neatly  wrapped 
in  a  sheet.  To  carefully  lay  out  her  husband's  body  and  tenderly  enfold 
it  in  a  winding  sheet  was  the  last  act  of  devotion  to  her  husband  per- 
formed by  Tamsen  Donner.  When  this  was  done,  she  went  to  the  Mur- 
phy cabin,  and  whether  murdered  by  Keseberg  to  obtain  possession  of  her 
husband's  money,  as  is  generally  believed,  or  whether  she  died  a  natural 
death,  only  the  Father  above  and  one  individual  knows.  Mrs-  Murphy 
probably  starved  to  death. 

When  Capt.  Fallen's  party  reached  the  camp  at  the  lake  no  one  was 
visible,  but  a  fresh  track  in  the  snow  led  away  from  camp  towards  the 
Donner  cabins.  They  pressed  forward  to  Alder  Creek,  finding  his  goods 
as  described  but  the  closest  search  failed  to  discover  any  money.  On  their 
return  to  the  Graves  cabin  at  the  lake  they  found  the  same  mysterious 
tracks  which  proved  to  be  those  of  Keseberg.  When  asked  for  Donner's 
money  he  refused  to  divulge  what  had  become  of  it,  and  not  until  a  rope 
was  put  around  his  neck  with  a  threat  of  hanging  did  he  tell  where  it 
was  hidden.  All  that  was  recovered  was  $531.  Capt.  Fallon  in  his  re- 
port says  he  found  two  kettles  of  human  blood,  in  all  supposed  to  be  over 
a  gallon.  If  Keseberg  is  guilty  of  all  that  is  charged  he  has  terribly  ex- 
piated his  crimes.  Of  all  men  living  he  is  the  most  miserable,  and  as  no 
one  should  be  condemned  without  a  hearing  let  him  give  his  own  version 
of  this  terrible  story.  He  says : 

"  If  I  believe  in  God  Almighty  having  anything  to  do  with  the  destiny  of 


G24  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

man,  I  believe  that  the  misfortunes  which  overtook  theDonner  party  and  the 
terrible  part  I  was  compelled  to  take  in  the  great  tragedy  were  predestined. 
On  Hastings'  cut  off,  we  were  twenty-eight  days  going  twenty-one  miles. 
"  When  we  reached  the  lake  we  lost  our  road,  and  owing  to  the  depth 
of  the  snow  on  the  mountains,  were  compelled  to  abandon  our  wagons, 
and  pack  our  goods  upon  oxen.  The  cattle,  unused  to  such  burdens, 
caused  great  delay  by  '  bucking'  and  wallowing  in  the  snow.  There  was 
also  much  confusion  as  to  what  articles  should  be  -taken  and  what  aban- 
doned. One  wanted  a  box  of  tobacco  carried  along ;  another,  a  bale  of 
calico,  and  some  one  thing  and  some  ai. other.  But  for  this  delay  we 
would  have  passed  the  summit  and  pressed  forward  to  California.  Owing 
to  my  lameness,  I  was  placed  on  horseback,  and  my  foot  was  tied  up  to 
the  saddle  in  a  sort  of  sling.  Near  evening  we  were  close  to  the  top  of 
the  dividing  ridge.  It  was  cold  and  chilly,  and  everybody  was  tired  with 
the  severe  exertions  of  the  day.  Some  of  the  emigrants  sat  down  to  rest, 
and  declared  they  could  go  no  further.  I  begged  them  for  God's  sake  to 
get  over  the  ridge  before  halting.  Some  one,  however,  set  fire  to  a  pitchy 
pine  tree,  and  the  flames  soon  ascended  to  its  topmost  branches.  The 
women  and  children  gathered  about  this  fire  to  warm  themselves.  Mean- 
time the  oxen  were  rubbing  off  their  packs  against  the  trees.  The 
weather  looked  veiy  threatening,  and  I  exhorted  them  to  go  on  until  the 
summit  was  reached.  I  foresaw  the  danger  plainly  and  unmistakably. 
Only  the  strongest  men,  however,  could  go  ahead  and  break  the  road,  and 
it  would  have  taken  a  determined  man  to  induce  the  party  to  leave  the 
fire.  Had  I  been  well,  and  been  able  to  push  ahead  over  the  ridge,  some, 
if  not  all,  would  have  followed.  As  it  was,  all  laid  down  on  the  snow, 
and  from  exhaustion  were  soon  asleep.  In  the  night  I  felt  something 
impeding  my  breath.  A  heavy  weight  seemed  to  be  resting  upon  me. 
Springing  up  to  a  sitting  posture,  I  found  myself  covered  with  freshly- 
fallen  snow.  The  camp,  the  cattle,  my  companions,  had  all  disappeared. 
All  I  could  see  was  snow  everywhere.  I  shouted  at  the  top  of  my  voice. 
Suddenly  here  and  there,  all  about  me,  heads  popped  up  through  the 
snow.  The  scene  was  not  unlike  what  one  might  imagine  at  the  resurrec- 
tion, when  people  rise  up  out  of  the  earth.  The  terror  amounted  to  a 
panic.  The  mules  were  lost,  the  cattle  strayed  away,  and  our  further 
progress  rendered  impossible.  The  rest  you  probably  know.  We  returned 
to  the  lake,  and  prepared  as  best  we  could  for  the  winter.  I  was  unable 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES   FAMILY.  625 

I 

to  build  a  cabin,  because  of  my  lameness,  and  so  erected  a  sort  of  brush 
shed  against  one  side  of  Breen's  cabin. 

"When  Reed's  relief  party  left  the  cabins,  Mr.  Reed  left  me  a  half  tea- 
cupful  of  flour,  and  about  half  a  pound  of  jerked  beef.  It  was  all  he 
could  give.  Mrs.  Murphy,  who  was  left  with  me,  because  too  weak  and 
emaciated  to  walk,  had  no  larger  portion.  Reed  had  no  animosity  against 
me.  He  found  me  too  weak  to  move.  He  washed  me,  combed  my  hair, 
and  treated  me  kindly.  Indeed,  he  had  no  cause  to  do  otherwise.  When 
Reed  came  with  the  relief  party  to  the  lake,  he  found  his  children  in  my 
cabin.  Some  of  my  portion  of  the  flour  brought  by  Stanton  from  Slit- 
ter's Fort  I  gave  to  Reed's  children,  and  thus  saved  their  lives.  When  he 
left  me  he  promised  to  return  in  two  weeks  and  carry  me  over  the 
mountains.  When  this  party  left,  I  was  not  able  to  stand,  much  less  to 
walk. 

"A  heavy  storm  came  on  in  a  few  days  after  the  last  relief  party  left. 
Mrs.  George  Donner  had  remained  with  her  sick  husband  in  their  camp, 
six  or  seven  miles  away.  Mrs.  Murphy  lived  about  a  week  after  we  were 
left  alone.  When  my  provisions  gave  out  I  remained  four  days  before  I 
could  taste  human  flesh.  There  was  no  other  resort — it  was  that  or  death. 
My  wife  and  child  had  gone  on  with  the  fi.ist  relief  party.  I  knew  not 
whether  they  weiv  living  or  dead.  They  were  penniless  and  friendless  in 
a  strange  land.  For  their  sakes  I  must  live  if  not  for  my  own.  Mrs. 
Murphy  was  too  weak  to  revive.  The  flesh  of  starved  beings  contains 
little  nutriment.  It  is  like  feeding  straw  to  horses. 

"I  cannot  describe  the  unutterable  repugnance  with  which  I  tasted  the 
first  mouthful  of  flesh.  There  is  an  instinct  in  our  nature  that  revolts  at 
the  thought  of  touching,  much  less  eating  a  corpse.  It  makes  my  blood 
curdle  to  think  of  it !  It  has  been  told  that  I  boasted  of  my  shame — said 
that  I  enjoyed  this  horrid  food,  and  that  I  remarked  that  human  flesh  was 
more  palatable  than  California  beef.  This  is  a  falsehood.  It  is  a  horrible 
revolting  falsehood.  This  food  was  never  otherwise  than  loathesome,  in- 
sipid and  disgusting.  For  nearly  two  mouths  I  was  alone  in  that  dismal 
cabin.  No  one  knows  what  occurred  but  myself — no  living  being  ever  be- 
fore was  told  of  the  occurrences.  Life  was  a  burden.  The  horrors  of  one1, 
day  succeeded  those  of  the  preceeding.  Five  of  my  companions  had  died 
in  my  cabin  and  their  stark  and  ghastly  bodies  lay  there  day  and  night, 
seemingly  gazing  at  me  with  their  glazed  and  staling  eyes.  I  was  too 
weak  to  move  them  had  I  tried.  The  relief  parties  had  not  removed 


626  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

them.  These  parties  had  been  too  hurried,  too  horror  stricken  at  the 
sight,  too  fearful  lest  an  hour's  delay  might  cause  them  to  share  the  same 
fate.  I  endured  a  thousand  deaths.  To  have  one's  suffering  prolonged 
inch  by  inch,  to  be  deserted,  forsaken,  hopeless ;  to  see  that  loathsome 
food  ever  before  my  eyes,  was  almost  too  much  for  human  endurance.  I 
am  conversant  with  four  different  languages.  I  speak  and  write  them  with 
equal  fluency,  yet  in  all  four  I  do  not  find  words  enough  to  express  the 
horror  I  experienced  during  those  two  months,  or  what  I  still  feel  when 
memory  reverts  to  the  scene.  Suicide  would  have  been  a  relief,  a  happi- 
ness, a  godsend !  Many  a  time  I  had  the  muzzle  of  my  pistol  in  my 
mouth  and  my  finger  on  the  trigger,  but  the  faces  of  my  helpless,  depend- 
ent wife  and  child  would,  rise  up  before  me,  and  my  hand  would  fall  pow- 
erless. I  was  not  the  cause  of  my  misfortunes,  and  God  Almighty  had 
provided  only  this  one  horrible  way  for  me  to  ,  ubsist." 

"  Did  you  boil  the  flesh  ?" 

"Yes!  But  to  go  into  details — to  relate  the  minutiae — is  too  agoniz- 
ing! I  cannot  do  it!  Imagination  can  supply  these.  The  necessary  mu- 
tilation of  the  bodies  of  those  who  had  been  my  friends,  rendered  the 
ghastliness  of  my  situation  more  frightful.  When  I  could  crawl  about 
and  my  lame  foot  was  partially  recovered,  I  was  chopping  some  wood  one 
day  and  the  axe  glanced  and  cut  off  my  heel.  The  piece  of  flesh  grew 
back  in  time,  but  not  in  its  former  position,  and  my  foot  is  maimed  to  this 
day. 

"A  man  before  he  judges  me,  should  be  placed  in  a  similar  situation  ; 
but  if  he  were,  it  is  a  thousand  to  one  he  would  perish.  A  constitution  of 
steel  alone  could  endure  the  deprivation  and  misery.  At  this  time  I  was 
living  in  the  log  cabin  with  the  fire-place.  One  night  I  was  awakened  by 
a  scratching  sound  over  my  head  I  started  up  in  terror,  and  listened  in- 
tently for  the  noise  to  be  repeated.  It  came  again.  It  was  the  wolves 
trying  to  get  into  the  cabin  to  eat  me  and  the  dead  bodies. 

"At  midnight,  one  cold,  bitter  night,  Mrs.  George  Donner  came  to  my 
door.  It  was  about  two  weeks  after  Reed  had  gone  and  my  loneliness 
was  beginning  to  be  unendurable.  I  was  most  happy  to  hear  the  sound 
of  a  human  voice.  Her  coming  was  like  that  of  an  angel  from  Heaven. 
But  she  had  not  come  to  bear  me  company.  Her  husband  had  died  in 
her  arms.  She  had  remained  by  his  side  until  death  came,  and  then  laid 
him  out  and  hurried  away.  He  died  at  nightfall,  and  she  had  traveled 
over  the  snow  alone  to  my  cabin.  She  was  going,  alone,  across  the  moun- 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY.  627 

tains.  She  was  going  to  start  without  food  or  guide.  She  kept  saying, 
'My  children!  I  must  see  my  children!' 

"She  feared  she  would  not  survive,  and  told  me  she  had  some  money 
in  her  tent.  It  was  too  heavy  for  her  to  carry.  She  said, '  Mr.  Keseburg 
I  confide  this  to  your  care.'  She  made  me  promise  sacredly  that  I  would 
get  the  money  and  take  it  to  her  children  in  case  she  perished  and  I  sur- 
vived. She  declared  she  would  start  over  the  mountains  in  the  morning. 
She  said,  'I  am  bound  to  go  to  my  children.'  She  seemed  very  cold,  and 
her  clothes  were  like  ice.  I  think  she  had  got  into  the  creek  in  coming. 
She  said  she  was  very  hungry,  but  refused  the  only  food  I  could  offer. 
She  had  never  eaten  the  loathsome  flesh. 

"She  finally  laid  down,  and  I  spread  a  feather  bed  and  some  blankets 
over  her.  In  the  morning  she  was  dead.  I  think  the  hunger,  the  mental 
suffering  and  the  icy  chill  of  the  preceeding  night  caused  her  death.  I 
have  often  been  accused  of  taking  her  life.  Before  my  God,  I  swear  this 
is  untre !  Do  you  think  a  man  would  be  such  a  miscreant,  such  a  damna- 
ble fiend,  such  a  caricature  on  humanity,  as  to  kill  this  lone  woman  ? 
There  were  plenty  of  corpses  lying  around.  He  would  but  add  one  more 
corpse  to  the  many  ! 

"Oh!  the  days  and  weeks  of  horror  which  I  passed  in  that  camp!  I 
had  no  hope  of  help  or  of  being  rescued,  until  I  saw  the  green  grass  com- 
ing up  by  the  spring  on  the  hillside,  and  the  wild  geese  coming  to  nibble 
it.  The  birds  were  coming  back  to  their  breeding  grounds,  and  I  felt  that 
I  could  kill  them  for  food.  I  had  plenty  of  guns  and  ammunition  in 
'  camp.  I  also  had  plenty  of  tobacco  and  a  good  meerschaum  pipe,  and  al- 
most the  only  solace  I  enjoyed  was  smoking.  In  my  weak  condition  it 
took  me  two  or  three;  hours  every  day  to  get  sufficient  wood  to  keep  my 
fire  going. 

"  Some  time  after  Mrs.  Conner's  death,  I  thought  I  had  gained  suffi- 
cient strength  to  redeem  the  pledge  I  had  made  her  before  her  death.  I 
started  to  go  to  the  camps  at  Alder  Creek  to  get  the  money.  I  had  a  very 
difficult  journey.  The  wagons  of  the  Doimers  were  loaded  with  tobacco, 
powder,  caps,  shoes,  school  books,  and  dry  goods.  This  stock  was  very 
valuable,  and  had  it  reached  California,  would  have  been  a  fortune  to  t,lie 
Donners.  I  searched  carefully  among  the  bales  and  bundles  of  goods,  and 
found  $531.  Part  of  this  sum  was  silver,  part  gold.  The  silver  I  buried 
at  the  foot  of  a  pine  tree,  a  little  way  from  the  camp.  One  of  the  lower 
branches  of  another  tree  reached  down  close  to  the  ground,  and  appeared 


628  RECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

to  point  to  the  spot.  I  put  the  gold  in  my  pocket,  and  started  to  return 
to  my  cabin.  I  had  spent  one  night  at  the  Donner  tents.  On  my  return 
I  became  lost. 

"When  it  was  nearly  dark,  in  crossing  a  little  flat,  the  snow  suddenly 
gave  way  under  my  feet,  and  I  sank  down  almost  to  my  armpits.  "By 
means  of  the  crust  on  top  of  the  snow,  I  kept  myself  suspended  by  throw- 
ing out  my  arms.  A  stream  of  water  flowed  underneath  the  place  over 
which  I  had  been  walking,  and  the  snow  had  melted  on  the  underside 
until  it  was  not  strong  enough  to  support  my  weight.  I  could  not  touch 
bottom  with  my  feet,  and  so  could  form  no  idea  of  the  depth  of  the 
stream.  By  long  and  careful  exertion,  I  managed  to  draw  myself  back- 
ward and  up  on  the  snow.  I  t-en  Went  around  on  the  hillside,  and  con- 
timied  my  journey.  At  last,  just  at  dark,  completely  exhausted  and 
almost  dead,  I  came  in  sight  of  the  Graves  cabin.  I  shall  never  forget  my 
joy  at  sight  of  that  log  cabin.  I  felt  that  I  was  no  longer  lost,  and  would 
at  least  have  shelter.  Some  time  after  dark  I  reached  my  own  cab'n.  My 
clothes  were  wet  by  getting  in  the  creek,  and  the  night  was  so  cold  that 
my  garments  were  frozen  into  sheets  of  ice.  I  was  so  weary,  and  chilled, 
and  numbed  that  I  did  not  build  up  a  fire,  or  attempt  to  get  anything  to 
eat,  but  rolled  myself  up  in  the  bed-clothes  and  tried  to  get  warm.  Nearly 
all  night  I  lay  there  shivering  witlr  cold,  and  when  I  finally  slept,  I  slept 
very  soundly.  I  did  not  wake  up  until  quite  late  the  next  morning. 

"  To  my  utter  astonishment  the  camp  was  in  the  most  inexplicable  con- 
fusion. My  trunks  were  broken  open,  and  their  contents  were  scattered 
everywhere.  Everything  about  the  cabin  was  torn  up  and  thrown  about ' 
the  floor.  My  wife's  jewelry,  my  cloak,  my  pistol  and  ammunition  were 
missing.  I  supposed  Indians  had  robbed  my  camp  during  my  absence. 
Suddenly  I  was  startled  by  the  sound  of  human  voices.  I  hurried  up  to 
the  surface  of  the  snow,  and  saw  white  men  corning  towards  the.  cabin.  I 
was  overwhelmed  with  joy  and  gratitude  at  the  prospect  of  my  deliver- 
ance. I  had  suffered  so  much,  and  for  so  long  a  time,  that  I  coiild 
scarcely  believe  my  senses.  Imagine  my  astonishment  upon  their  arrival 
to  be  greeted,  not  Avith  a  'good  morning'- or  a  kind  word,  but  with  the 
gruff,  insolent  demand,  '  Where  is  Donner's  money?' 

"I  told  them  they  ought  to  give   me  something  to  eat,  and  that~  I 

would  talk  with  them  afterward,  but  no,  they  insisted  that  I  should  tell 

them  about  Donner's  money.     I  asked  them  who  they  were,  and  where 

hey  came  from,  but  they  replied  by  threatening  to  kill  me  if  I  did  not 


SAD    STORY    OF    THE    GRAVES    FAMILY. 

give  up  the  money.  They  threatened  to  hang  or  shoot  me,  and  at  last  I 
told  them  I  had  promised  Mrs.  Donner  that- 1  would  carry  her  money  to 
her  children,  and  I  proposed  to  do  so  unless  shown  some  authority  by 
which  they  had  a  better  claim.  This  so  exasperated  them  that  they  acted 
as  though  they  were  going  to  kill  me.  I  offered  to  let  them  bind  me  as 
a  prisoner,  and  take  me  before  the  Alcalde  at  Sutter's  Fort,  and  I  prom- 
ised that  I  would  tell  all  I  knew  about  the  money.  They  would  listen  to 
nothing,  however,  and  finally  to  save  my  life,  I  told  them  where  they 
would  find  the  silver  buried,  and  gave  them  the  gold.  After  I  had  done 
this,  they  showed  me  a  document  from  Alcalde  Sinclair  by  which  they 
were  to  receive  a  certain  proportion  of  all  moneys  and  propeity  which 
they  rescued." 

"These  men  treated  me  with  the  greatest  unkindness.  Mr.  Tucker  was 
the  only  one  who  took  my  part  or  befriended  me.  When  they  started 
over  the  mountains,  each  man  carried  two  bales  of  goods.  They  had  silks, 
calicos  and  delaines  from  the  Donners,  and  other  articles  of  great  value. 
Each  man  would  cany  one  bundle  a  little  way,  lay  it  down  and  come  back 
and  get  the  other  bundle.  In  this  way  they  passed  over  the  snow  three 
times.  I  could  not  keep  up  with  them  because  I  was  so  weak,  but  man- 
aged to  come  up  to  their  camp  every  night.  One  day  I  was  dragging  my- 
self slowly  along  behind  the  party,  when  I  came  to  a  place  which  had 
evidently  been  used  as  a  camping  ground  by  some  of  the  previous  parties. 
Feeling  very  tired,  I  thought  it  would  be  a  good  place  to  make  some 
coffee.  Kindling  a  fire,  I  filled  my  coffee-pot  with  fresh  snow  and  sat 
waiting  for  it  to  melt  and  get  hot-  Happening  to  cast  my  eyes  carelessly 
around,  I  discovered  a  little  piece  of  calico  protruding  from  the  snow. 
Half  thoughtlessly,  half  out  of  idle  cariosity,  I  caught  hold  of  the  cloth, 
and  finding  it  did  not  come  readily,  I  gave  it  a  strong  pull.  I  had  in  my 
hands  the  body  of  my  dead  child  Ada!  She  had  been  buried  in  the 
snow,  which  melting  down  had  disclosed  a  portion  of  her  clothing.  I 
thought  I  should  go  frantic!  It  was  the  first  intimation  I  had  of  her 
death,  and  it  came  with  such  a  shock! 

"Just  as  we  were  getting  out  of  the  snow,  I  happened  to  be  sitting  in 
camp,  alone,  one  afternoon.  The  men  were  hunting,  or  attending  to  their 
goods.  I  was  congratulating  myself  upon  my  escape  from  the  mountains, 
when  I  was  startled  by  a  snuffing,  growling  noise,  and  looking  up,  I  saw  a 
large  grizzly  bear  only  a  few  feet  away.  I  knew  I  was  too  weak  to  at- 
tempt to  escape,  and  so  remained  where  I  sat,  expecting  every  moment  he 


630  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

would  devour  me.  Suddenly  there  was  the  report  of  a  gun,  and  the  bear 
fell  dead.  Mr.  Foster  had  discovered  the  animal,  and  slipping  up  close  to 
camp  had  killed  it. 

"I  have  been  born  under  an  evil  star!  Fate,  misfortune,  bad  luck,  com- 
pelled me  to  remain  at  Dormer  Lake.  If  God  would  decree  that  I  should 
again  pass  through  such  an  ordeal,  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than  I  did. 
My  conscience  is  free  from  reproach.  Yet  that  camp  has  been  the  one 
burden  of  my  life.  Wherever  I  have  gone,  people  have  cried,  '  Stone 
him!'  Even  'the  little  children  in  the  streets  have  mocked  me  and  thrown 
stones  at  me  as  I  passed.  Only  a  man  conscious  of  his  innocence,  and 
clear  in  the  sight  of  God,  would  not  have  succumbed  to  the  terrible  things 
which  have  been  said  of  me- — would  not  have  committed  suicide !  Morti- 
fication, disgrace,  disaster  and  unheard-pf  misfortune,  have  followed  and 
overwhelmed  me.  I  often  think  that  the  Almighty  has  singled  me  out, 
among  all  the  men  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  in  order  to  see  how  much 
hardship,  suffering  and  misery  a  human  being  can  bear ! 

"  Soon  after  my  arrival  at  the  Fort,  I  took  charge  of  the  schooner  Sac- 
ramento, and  conveyed  wheat  from  Sacramento  to  San  Francisco,  in  pay- 
ment for  Captain  Sutter's  purchase  of  his  possessions.  I  worked 
seven  months  for  Slitter,  but,  although  he  was  kind  to  me  I  did  not  get 
my  money.  I  then  went  to  Sonoma  and  and  worked  about  the  same 
length  of  time  for  Gen.  Vallejo.  I  had  a  good  position  and  good  pros- 
pects, but  left  for  the  gold  mines.  Soon  afterward  I  was  taken  sick,  and 
for  eight  months  was  an  invalid.  I  then  went  to  Sutter's  Fort  and  started 
a  boarding-house.  I  made  money  rapidly.  After  a  time  I  built  a  house, 
south  of  the  Fort,  which  cost  ten  thousand  dollars.  In  1851  I  purchased 
the  Lady  Adams  Hotel,  in  Sacramento.  It  was  a  valuable  property,  and 
I  finally  sold  it  at  auction  for  a  large  sum  of  money.  This  money  was  to 
be  paid  next  day.  The  deeds  had  already  passed.  That  night  the  terrible 
fire  of  1852  occurred,  and  not  only  swept  away  the  hotel,  but  ruined  the 
purchaser,  so  that  I  could  not  collect  one  cent.  I  went  back  to  Sutter's 
Fort  and  started  the  Phoenix  Brewery.  I  succeeded,  and  acquired  consid- 
erable property.  I  finally  sold  out  for  fifty  thousand  dollars.  I  had 
concluded  to  take  this  money,  go  back  to  Germany,  and  live  quietly  the 
rest  of  my  days.  The  purchaser  went  to  San  Francisco  to  draw  the 
money.  The  sale  was  effected  eight  days  be  .ore  the  great  flood  of  1861-2. 
The  flood  came,  and  I  lost  everything." 

After   reaching    the  settlements  himself  and  wife  were  reunited  and 


SAD   STORY   OF  THE   GfcAVES  FAMILY.  631 

lived  together  until  Jan.  30th,  1877,  when  she  died.  Eleven  children  were 
born  to  them,  four  of  whom  survive.  One  is  married  andlives  in  Sacramento, 
another  is  a  widow  and  lives  at  San  Rafael.  Two  are  with  their  father 
at  Brighton,  Sacramento  county,  both  hopelessly  idiotic.  Augusta  is  15 
and  weighs  205  ;  Ruth  is  27  and  never  spoke  an  intelligible  word.  They 
are  subject  to  violent  epelitic  fits  and  need  constant  attention.  Should 
Bertha  fall  into  the  fire  she  has  not  sufficient  intelligence  to  withdraw  her 
hand  from  the  flames.  He  is  very  poor  and  their  shrieks  and  violence  are 
so  great  that  no  hired  help  will  attend  them.  The  legislature  will  not 
give  him  aid,  they  scream  so  he  can  not  live  near  others  and  so  he  lives 
isolated  from  all  others  and  has  to  personally  look  after  and  care  for  thtm. 
He  is  the  saddest,  loneliest,  most  pitiable  creature  on  the  face  of  the  earth 
and  traces  all  his  misfortunes  to  the  camp  at  Donner  Lake. 

Let  the  God  to  whom  he  appeals  be  his  judge.  If  guilty  of  all  the 
crimes  charged,  his  subsequent  misfortunes  and  present  lot,  it  would  seem, 
ought  to  atone. 

The  story  of  this  dreadful  tragedy  is  nearly  finished.  Of  the  ninety 
persons  composing  the  party  forty-eight  survived  and  with  varying  inci- 
dents and  episodes  all  reached  Sutter's  Fort.  Twenty-six  or  twenty-eight 
were  living  July  30th,  1879.  As  this  history  mainly  concerns  the  Graves 
family  only  theirs  will  be  continued. 

Mary  A.  Graves  married  Edward  Pile  in  May,  1847,  two  months  after 
her  rescue.  He  was  murdered  by  a  Spaniard  the  succeeding  year,  and 
the  perpetrator  was  the  first  person  uanged  in  California  under  the  laws 
of  the  United  States.  In  1851  or  1852  she  wedded  I.  J.  Clark  to  whom 
were  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  survive.  Her  address  is  White 
River,  Tulare  County,  Cal. 

Eleanor  Graves  married  William  McDonnell  in  Sept.,  1879,  and  had 
ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  She  lives  in  Knights  Valley, 
Sonoma  County,  and  her  address  is  Calistoga. 

Lovina  Graves  married  John  Cyrus,  June  5th,  1857.  They  have  five 
children  and  their  address  is  Calistoga. 

Nancy  Graves  married  R.  W.  Williamson  in  1855.  They  have  five 
children,  one  of  whom  is  teaching  school  and  another  is  an  artist  in  Vir- 
ginia City.  Their  address  is  Los  Gatos,  Santa  Clara  County. 

William  C.  Graves  is  a  blacksmith  and  lives  at  Calistoga. 

In  the  little  work  from  which  most  of  our  information  is  derived  the 
subsequent  history  of  Sarah,  formerly  Mrs.  Fosdick,  is  not  given,  and  we 


032  RECORDS   OP   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

have  been  unable  to  gather  it  from  other  sources.  The  Murphys  settled 
about  three  miles  above  Marysville  and  the  town  of  Marysville  was  named 
in  honor  of  their  daughter  Mary.  Simon  T.  Murphy  served  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  war.  Wm.  M.  Foster  gave  his  name  to  Foster's  Bar  on 
the  Yuba  river.  He  died  in  1879. 

The  Reeds  settled  at  San  Jose,  and  the  Breens  at  South  San  Juan. 
The  orphan  children  of  Mrs.  Donner  obtained  an  education,  married  and 
did  well. 

This  sketch  should  not  close  without  some  mention  of  brave  old  Capt. 
Sutter  who  furnished  the  first  supplies  to  the  fugitives  and  aided  them 
unstintedly.  The  first  gold  in  the  state  was  found  on  his  place.  He  be- 
came wealthy  and  noted,  and  finally  lost  his  property  and  returned  to 
Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  where  it  is  said  he  still  lives. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  635 


PUTNAM  COUNTY. 


HENNEPIN  TOWNSHIP. 


AMOS  T.  PURVIANCE. 

The  subject  of  thin  sketch  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1847,  loca- 
ting in  Hennepin.  He  learned  the  plinting  trade  when  young,  bat  after  coming  to  this  State  worked  at  farming, 
t«nc  ii ii','  scho'  '1  winters.  In  1846  he  married  Mary  M.  Ong,  their  union  being  blessed  with  two  children,  Betta  and 
Frank  O...horh  born  in  Putnam  County.  Is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  was  elected 
Sheriff  in  1854.  and  County  Clerk  in  1857,  which  office  he  has  since  held.  His  plane,  known  as  "Hartzella,"  covers 
the  site  of  the  old  trading  house  erected  in  1817.  It  is  a  natural  grove  of  twenty-two  acres,  beautifully  situated  on 
the  bank  of  tne  Illinois  River,  one  mile  above  Hennepin,  and  contains  specimens  of  every  native  tree  in  Northern 
Illinois. 

H.  C.  PIERCE. 

H.  C.  Pierce,  farmer,  was  born  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  in  1829,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parent*  in  1832, 
Innding  in  Crow  Meadow.  Indians  being  troublesome  at  the  time,  they  returned  t:>  Pekin,  and  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1833,  when  they  came  to  Hennepin  Township,  and  have  since  remained  here.  In  1846  he  married  Mary 
Lansberry,  who  was  born  in  Orange  county,  New  York,  in  1832.  She  died  in  1874,  leaving  three  children— Charles, 
Joseph  H.,  and  Benjamin  F.  In  1877  he  was  married  again  to  Sarah  Pierce.  Thsy  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  in  which  he  has  been  steward  since  1865.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Mr.  Pierce  has  a  vivid  recol- 
lection of  the  Indians,  and  the  good  old  times  of  early  life  in  Putnam  county. 

LELAND  BROADDUS. 

Mr.  Bronddus  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  23.  He  was  born  in  Caroline  county,  Va.,  in  1826.  In  1835  he,  with 
his  parents,  located  in  Marshall  co.,  and  in  1849  removed  to  Putnam.  In  1851  he  married  Harriet  Crane,  who  died 
in  1858,  leaving  two  children,  Lundsford  T.  and  Hervey  E.  He  married  Susan  Case,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  his 
present  wife,  in  1859,  three  children  being  the  result  of  this  union.  John  L.,  Irving,  and  Clara.  Mr.  B.  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church  and  a  school  trustee.  He  owns  320  acres,  mostly  under  cultivation,  with  good  improve- 
ments. 

HENRY  CHILDS. 

Mr.  Cbilds  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  2,  Hennepin  Township.  He  was  born  in  Lorraine,  Germany,  in  1829, 
and  came  to  this  country  twenty  years  later,  remaining  a  short  time  in  New  York  State.  In  1857  he  married  Mary 
Qashran,  who  was  born  in  Summerhill,  County  Meath,  Ireland,  in  1837,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1856.  They 
have  five  children— James,  George  H.,  Charles  A.,  William  and  Mary  J.  Is  H  member  of  the  Catholic  church  of 
Hennepin,  owns  200  acres  of  land,  with  brick  dwelling,  and  good  improvements. 

JAMES  SHIELDS. 

Mr.  Shields  is  a  fanner,  living  on  section  24.  Be  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  February  8,  1825, 
and  came  to  this  county  along  with  his  fathi  r  when  eight  years  old.  The  Shields  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  county,  and  well  known.  In  1847  he  married  Mary  Btateler,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born,  William 
Henr\,and  Catharine,  who  afterward  became  Mrs.  Hiltabrand.  Mr.  Shields  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
and  owns  215  acres  of  land ,  120  of  which  is  under  cultivation. 

NELSON  SHEPHERD. 

Mr.  Shepherd  is  a  retired  farmer,  Jiving  on  section  31,  who  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  December 
6'.h,  1804  He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1829,  and  located  on  the  place  on  which  he  still  lives.  Along  with  his 
brother,  who  bad  previously  visited  the  country,  he  started  from  Ripley,  Ohio,  coming  by  steamboat  to  St. 
Louis.  No  steamers  navigated  the  Illinois  then ;  and  transportation  being  carried  on  by  means  of  keel  boats,  pro- 


636  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TTSTE. 

pelled  by  man  power,  he  struck  out  for  Bond  county,  where  he  had  some  friends,  who  furnished  hi™  with  a  horse. 
upon  which  he  mounted,  and,  accompanied  by  a  man  named  McOord,  turned  northward. 

The  first  day  they  encountered  a  heavy  rain,  and  the  second  suffered  much  from  thirst.  Seeing  a  cabin, 
they  rode  up  and  asked  for  a  drink,  to  which  the  proprietor  responded  by  giving  them  a  gourd  full  dipped  from  a 
stagnant  pool  in  the  yard.  They  drank  but  little,  but  it  made  them  deathly  sick.  Making  for  the  timber,  they  lay 
down,  McCord  going  into  a  heavy  sleep.  Shepherd  presently  recovered  and  strove  some  time  vainly  to  waken 
McCord.  Finally  he  opened  his  eyes,  looking  so  ill  that  S.  thought  he  would  die.  After  some  exertion  he  got  him 
on  his  horse  and  they  rode  on.  At  Jacksonville  they  separated. 

From  here  he  had  a  Frenchman  for  a  companion,  with  whom  he  traveled  two  days,  reaching  a  place  called  the 
Rapids  for  breakfast.  Enquiring  how  far  it  was  to  th«  next  house  he  was  told  it  was  thirty  miles.  &.  deer 
path  across  the  prairie  was  pointed  out  and  his  horse  being  tired  he  dismounted  and  drove  it  before  him,  reaching 
Jesse  Roberts'  place  at  sundown.  His  brother,  who  embarked  on  a  keelboat,  soon  after  arrived  with  his  wife  and 
goods.  That  winter  all  lived  in  a  cabin  together. 

They  all  got  the  ague  and  suffered  greatly.  Their  provisions  gave  out.  and  as  they  were  too  sick  to  go  after 
more  they  had  to  subsist  on  potatoes  and  milk.  Soon  after  he  started  to  return  to  Ohio,  where  he  married  Mins 
Mary  Beard,  September  8, 1831.  She  was  a  native  of  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina  On  their  return  they  traveled 
in  wagons,  meeting  with  ma^y  mishaps  and  adventurer  incident  to  a  new  country.  On  bis  arrival  he  built  a  cabin, 
and  has  resided  there  ever  since,  the  primitive  dwelling  giving  way  to  a  fine  modernized  residence,  and  the  bleak 
prairie  to  a  well  cultivated  farm. 

They  have  five  children  living,  and  five  who  were  born  to  them  have  passed  over  the  river.  The  living  are 
Lyle,  Albert,  John  B.,  J.  Harvey,  and  Austin  M.  Mr.  Shepherd  has  served  his  township  as  supervisor,  township 
trustee  and  road  commissioner.  Himself  and  wife  have  long  been  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  hon- 
ored and  respected  members  of  society.  He  has  a  large  farm  and  his  old  age  is  blessed  with  an  abundance  of  this 
world's  goods, 

JOHN  BOSST. 

The  subject  this  sketch  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Germany  in  1820,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1864.  settling 
in  Putnam  county.  His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Lucy  Trierweiler.  She  also  was  born  in  Germany.  They  have 
two  children,  Theodore  and  Nicholas  and  own  a  good  farm  of  80  acres,  well  improved.  Are  members  of  the  Cath- 
olic church,  of  Hennepin. 

PETER  SOHITZ. 

Mr.  Sohitz  is  a  fanner,  and  was  born  in  Germany  in  1814,  emigrating  to  this  ountry  in  1864,  and  lo- 
cating in  Putnam  county.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Karley,  and  she  likewise  came  from  Germany.  T*vo 
children  were  born  to  them,  Margaret  and  Herbert.  She  died  in  1870.  Mr.  Schitz  has  since  wedded  Mary  Scharts,  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church. 

ANTHONY  REAVY. 

This  gentleman,  who  is  a  thrifty  farmer  living  on  section  2,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1847.  In  1869  he 
married  Miss  Catherine  Mateer,  also  a  native  <  f  the  county.  They  have  five  children.  Frank.  George,  Edward, 
Caroline  and  Mary.  Both  Mr.  Heavy  ahd  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  R.  is  treasurer  ot  the 
school  board.  He  owns  605  acres  of  land,  240  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  and  his  residence  is  one  of  the  most 
comfortable  and  home-like  in  the  county. 

'FREDERICK  SEBOLD. 

Mr.  Sebold  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  14.  He  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1823.  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1849.  first  locating  in  Butler  co.,  Ohio,  whence  he  moved  to  this  county  in  1854.  In  1849  he  mar- 
ried Christiana  Souft,  also  a  native  of  Bavaria.  They  have  six  children -Barbara,  Margaret,  Conrad,  Christi- 
ana, Eliza  and  Frederick.  Mr.  8.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  was  school  director  16  years  and  road  com- 
missioner six  years.  He  owns  280  acres,  all  in  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  very  good  improvements. 

G.  W.  POOL. 

This  gentleman,  now  deceased,  was  born  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  in  1800.  and  died  in  1857.  leaving  ten  children. 
Henry  died  in  a  rebel  prison  in  Cahoba,  Alabama.  Aaron  was  also  in  the  army  His  remaining  children  were 
George,  Belle,  Franklin,  Sidney,  Sarah,  Edward,  Charles.  Lucy.  Four  children  were  born  to  him  by  a  former  mar- 
riage— viz.,  Mary,  William,  Albert  and  Charlotte.  Mrs.  Pool's  maiden  name  was  Sophronia  Bascons;  she  was  born 
in  Courtland  county,  N  Y.,  and  married  in  1838.  Her  estate  comprises  380  acres.  The  farm  is  carried  on  by  her  son. 

DAVID  J.  LEECH. 

Mr.  D.  J.  Leech  is  a  dealer  in  agricultural  implements  and  farm  machinery  in  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  but  brought  up  in  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  twenty-one,  when  he  removed  to  Illinois,  arriving  in 
Hennepin  in  1849,  and  went  to  farming.  In  this  he  was  successful,  and  continued  to  follow  it  to  1877,  when  he 
turned  it  over  to  his  sons  and  took  up  his  present  business.  In  1851  he  married  Miss  Sarah  \.  Corson,  also  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania.  Four  children  were  born  to  them,  Mary  C-,  Harvey  H.,  Ella  8..  and  John  W.  Mi.  Leech  is  an  ex- 
tensive dealer  in  farm  machinery,  buying  his  stock  from  twenty-three  different  establishments.  His  Ions  experi- 
ence as  a  farmer  enables  him  to  know  just  what  is  required,  and  he  seldom  makes  a  mistake.  He  has  done  much 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  637 

to  introduce  the  cultivation  of  sorghum,  having  raised  it  for  many  years  and  proved  its  value.  He  was  personally 
acquainted  with  Shanbena.  and  has  many  ornaments,  etc..  obtained  by  himself  from  the  grave  of  Shanbena's 
father,  who  was  buried  on  the  present  site  of  the  town.  Mr.  Leech's  life  has  beep  long  and  useful,  and  he  is  a 
respected  member  of  society. 

L.  B.  SKEEL. 

Mr.  Bkeel  is  afarmer,  was  born  in  New  York  state,  March  28, 1811.  and  located  in  this  county  in  1830.  Oct. 
19, 1819,  he  married  Miss  Minerva  Payne,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  died  March  27th,  1847.  leaving  three  children- 
Albert  M.,  Mary  E.  (Fisher),  and  Carrie  (Cutting)-  Nov.  25th.  1847,  he  married  Miss  Flora  Morrison,  his  present  wife, 
who  was  bom  in  Argyle,  Scotland,  in  1824.  Five  children  have  blessed  their  union,— Nathan,  Olive  (Folley).  Wil- 
liam L-.  John  F,  and  Flora  M.  They  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Skeel  owns  244  acres  of 
land,  under  perfect  cultivation  and  thoroughly  fenced,  principally  with  hedges.  His  mother  died  in  October,  1879, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  91  years.  His  father  bnilt  and  introduced  the  first  threshing  machine  in  this  section,  tak- 
iog  his  material  from  the  logs  of  an  old  cabin  at  Pekin,  the  only  thoroughly  seasoned  timber  procurable. 

PETER  HOLLERICH. 

Mr.  Hollerich,  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Hennepin,  was  born  in  Luxembourg,  Germany,  in  1846.  In  1871 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  located  in  Hennepin  shortly  after  his  arrival  in  this  country.  In  1877  Mr. 
Hollerich  married  Miss  Mary  Sontag,  a  native  of  Men  lota.  111.  They  have  two  children,  Colonel  and  William.  Mr. 
H.  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

EDWIN  R.  SPENCER. 

This  gentleman,  a  livery  proprietor  and  U.  8.  mail  contractor,  was  born  in  Duchess  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
1832.  He  came  West  in  1845,  lo  ating  first  in  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  but  finally  in  this  county.  In  1874  he  married1 
Miss  N.  Jane  Hailey,  a  native  of  Missouri.  They  hr.ve  one  child,  Edwin,  born  in  1877.  Mr.  Spencer  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order.  He  has  been  a  mail  conractor  for  many  years.  Mr.  Thomas  Hailey,  father  of  Mrs.  Spencer, 
moved  to  Ox  Bow  in  1829. 

HENRIETTA  THIEL. 

Mrs.  Henrietta  Thiel,  widow,  is  a  successful  farmer  living  on  section  13.  She  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  this  country  in  1857.  soon  lift  T  her  marriage.  Her  husband.  Frederick  Thiel,  was  also  a  native  of  Ger- 
many born  in  Saxony.  He  died  December  10th,  1877,  leaving  six  children,  Frederick,  Ludwick,  Minnie,  Henrietta, 
George  and  William.  Mrs.  1'hiel's  farm  embraces  123  acres  of  land,  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  She  is  an  esti- 
mable woman,  hard- working  and  industrious,  and  is  raising  her  children  in  a  manner  creditable  to  herself  and 
calculated  to  fit  them  for  a  life  of  usefulness. 

JOSEPH  ETSCHEID. 

This  gentleman  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  26,  Hennepin  township,  and  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1831, 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1856.  He  was  married  to  Catherine  Kolf  in  1866.  She  died  July  3d,  18C6,  leaving  two 
children,  Margaret  and  Peter.  Afterward  he  married  Mary  Apel.  He  owns  520  acres  of  land  of  which  300  are 
under  cultivation.  Is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  road  commissoner,  etc.  He  is  one  of  the  most  successful 
farmers  in  the  township  and  a  hard  worker. 

DR.  A.  M.  VANDERSLICE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  physician  and  surgeon,  likewise  a  farmer,  living  on  section  32.  He  was 
born  in  Dauphin  county,  PH.,  in  1833,  obtaining  his  education  in  that  state  and  graduating  with  honors  at  the 
medical  institute  of  Philadeldhia  in  1860.  He  practiced  two  years  in  his  native  place  and  then  moved  to  Florid  in 
1862,  where  he  has  since  resided  in  the  active  prosecution  of  his  profession.  Of  late  years  he  gives  more  attention 
to  farming.  Before  leaving  his  native  place  he  married  Rebecca  Roach,  who  has  brought  him  nine  children,  Anna 
M.,  John  J.,  Frank  R.,  Augustus  M.,  James  M.,  W.  Hoyle,  E.  Rauk,  Ellen  J.,  and  Roy.  He  owns  180  acres  of  land, 
highly  improved. 

JOHN  H.  DININGER. 

Mr.  Dininger  is  a  highly  successful  farmer  living  on  flection  36.  He  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1827,  and  settled  in  Putnam  county  in  1859.  In  I860  he  married  Caroline  Zimmerman,  also  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  them  have  been  born  ten  children,  still  living,  viz:  Emma,  Sarah.  Ellen,  Augustus, 
Kate,  L  /7.if.  John  S.,  Lincoln,  Adam  and  William.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  under  excellent 
cultivation,  with  first  class  improvements. 

JUDGE  AUGUSTUS  CASSELL. 

Augustus  Cassell,  ex-county  judge,  is  a  comfortable  farmer  and  mechanic  living  on  section  1,  He  was 
born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1813  coming  west  in  1836.  and  settling  in  Putnam  county.  His  wife  was 
formerly  Miss  Mary  Bear,  to  whom  he  was  married  November  14  1833,  she  beini  also  a  native  of  Lebanon.  They 
have  seven  children  living,  viz:  John  H.,  William  B.,  Sarah  A..  Alson  K..  Rufus  L.,  Mary  Ellen  and  Isadore.  Both 
himself  and  wife  are  respected  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Cassell  was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade,  and 
very  ingenious  in  the  use  of  tools.  For  several  years  he  owned  and  ran  a  steam  mill,  and  was  once  in  the  mercan- 


638  EECORDS    OF    THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

tile  business  at  Florid.  During  the  war  he  sent  three  sons  to  the  army:  one  of  whom — John  H. — ran  the  Vicks- 
bnre  blockade,  served  as  a  scout  and  spy  for  nine  months  visiting  the  rebel  camps  as  a  spy.  He  served  three  years,  and 
then  re-enlisted  and  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  Twentieth  Illinois  cavalry.  Mr.  Cassel 
was  elected  county  judge  in  1872  and  again  in  1876,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-seven  years.  His  life 
has  been  long,  honored  and  useful. 

ROBERT  LEECH. 

Mr.  Leech  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  19.  He  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  in  1814.  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Pecria  in  1832  and  to  Uennepin  one  year  later.  Has  ever  since  resided  on  his  present  home- 
stead. John  Leech,  his  father,  died  in  1839,  leaving  nine  children.  Hit  mother  still  lives,  and  is  eighty-six  years 
old.  Mr.  Leech  never  married,  having  dutifully  remained  with  his  parents,  giving  all  his  care  to  them.  He  has  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township,  containing  330  acres,  his  house  occupying  a  beautiful  location,  skirted  by  a 
belc  of  timber  on  the  north-west,  interspersed  with  old  oaks  and  other  native  trees. 

W.    S.    BOSLEY. 

Mr,  Bosley,  fairner  and  postmaster  at  "Cottage  Hill."  was  born  in  Uniontown.  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in 
1833,  and  located  in  Putnam  county,  April  5, 1851.  October  31  1868.  he  married  Miss  Mary  D.  Nesmith,  a  native  of 
the  same  county  in  Pennsylvania  as  himself.  They  have  seven  children,  Thomas  N.,  Nannie  H.,  Lizzie  M..  Rebecca 
B.,  Minnie  May,  James  Harry  and  Carl  Edwin.  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  since  1860.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Magnolia  Township  Insurance  Company, 
Vice  President  of  the  County  Musical  Association,  and  Road  Commissioner.  He  is  an  extensive  stock  dealer,  and 
'•  Cottage  Hill "  is  a  delightful  residence,  complete  in  all  its  appurtenances. 

MRS.  SARAH  J.  Ross. 

This  lady,  widow  of  James  Ross,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1827,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1849.  Her  husband 
was  also  born  in  Ohio.  He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1839,  and  in  1869  they  were  married.  One  son  was 
born  to  them,  Frank  8.  Mr.  Ross  left  four  children  by  a  former  marriage,  one  of  whom  is  deceased,  and  the  others 
are  named  William,  John  and  Grunt.  Mrs.  HOBS  owns  loO  acres  of  land  and,  her  son  owns  60,  left  by  his  father. 
Mrs.  Boss  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  an  estimable  member  of  society. 

PHILIP  HAM. 

Mr.  Ham,  one  of  the  farmers  of  this  township,  is  a  native  of  the  itate  of  New  York,  born  in  1821,  but  came  to 
this  county  when  only  ten  years  of  age,  in  1851  he  married  Sarah  Bear,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Dauphin 
county,  thut  state,  in  1834.  They  have  seven  children,  Luella  F.,  Leoria  E-itella,  Anna  E.,  William  8.,  Clara  Bell, 
(deceased),  David  and  Laura  May,  Mr.  Ham  is  a  member  ot  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  farm  embraces 
145  acres  of  land. 

DAVID  B.  MOORE. 

Mr.  David  B.  Moore  is  a  farmer  whose  residence  is  in  section  18,  though  a  portion  of  his  farm  is  in  section 
19.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  February  7th,  1831,  and  located  in  this  county  in  November,  1853. 
August  28th.  1856,  he  married  Miss  Mirtha  Moore,  a  native  of  this  county,  born  June  20,  1836.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren, Wilson  S.,  Fannie  K.,  Minnie  &..,  Harry  H.,  Perry  O.,  and  Howard.  Mr.  M.  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  Granville.  He  has  been  a  school  director,  and  for  a  number  of  years  trustee  of  the  church 
to  which  he  belongs.  His  farm  comprises  ninety  acres  of  good  land,  well  cultivated,  and  his  improvements  are  ex- 
cellent. 

OTTO  HALBLEIB. 

This  gentleman  is  a  thrifty  farmer  living  on  section  11.  He  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  1823,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1837.  locating  in  this  county.  He  was  married  to  Mrs.  Catherine  Hartenbower  in  Jan- 
uary, 1852.  She  was  born  in  Wertemberg,  Germany,  in  1834.  They  have  nine  children,  viz:  Victoria,  Adam,  John, 
George,  Frank,  Clara,  Casper,  Annie  and  William.  Mr.  H  iloleib  is  school  director,  and  owns  three  hundred  acres 
of  land.  He  has  been  in  the  bee  business  ten  years,  and  has  now  about  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven  hives  in  his 
apaixy  and  will  save  about  two  hundred  pounds  of  hon^y  this  year.  He  is  a  kindhearted,  hospitable  man,  smart 
and  energetic. 

JOHN  HUFNAGLE. 

Mr.  John  Huinagle,  also  a  member  of  the  farming  community  of  this  township,  was  born  in  Dauphin 
county.  P<i.,  in  1850,  but  with  his  parents  moved  vVest  in  18.33  au  I  locate*!  in  this  county.  In  1873  he  married  Miss 
Maggie  Sherring,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  The/  hive  three  children,  John  E.,  Winfield  S.  and  Richard  Wal- 
ter. Mrs.  Hufnagle  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  cuurch. 

JOSEPH  CASSEL. 

Mr.  Cassell  is  a  veteran  farmer  on  section  22.  He  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1815,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1837,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  blacksmith  for  nine  years.  He  discon- 
tinued this  work  in  1860  and  went  to  farming,  whicn  he  has  continued  since.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Lynch  in  1833. 
She  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  184  >,  leaving  five  children,  viz :  Edwin,  Esther  A. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  639 

Calvin,  Epbraim,  Philip  A.  He  was  again  married  to  Misa  Laura  Boslcy  in  1847.  by  whom  he  had  four  children, 
viz:  Surah.  Km  ma  \..  Jennie  and  Sidney.  He  is  an  influential  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  was  school 
director  about  twelve  years  and  road  master  thirteen  years.  He  had  three  sons  in  the  army.  Ephraim  veteranized 
and  WHS  captured  at  Altoona.  He  was  twice  wounded,  and  was  one  of  the  first  on  the  ramparts  in  the  assault  upon 
Vicksburg. 

DAVID  NIXON. 

Mr.  Nixon  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Scotland  in  1816,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1843,  locating  in 
Phoenixville,  Pa.,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  staid  one  year,  returning  again  to  Phrenixville, 
where  he  lived  until  1849.  Disposing  of  his  interests  there,  he  embarked  for  the  West,  settlmz  in  Putnam  county. 
He  was  married  in  1838,  and  to  them  were  born  fifteen  children.  Seven  of  them  are  dead  and  eight  living — viz., 
George,  David,  James,  Emeline,  Cass,  Nancy  and  Eliza.  Two  of  hie  sons,  William  and  Samuel,  enlisted  in  the 
Union  armv,  and  lost  their  lives  bravely  battling  for  their  country.  Mr.  N.  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  township  trustee. 

JAMES  A.  PATTON. 

Mr.  Patton  is  an  extensive  farmer,  who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1843.  on  the  place  he  now  occupies,  and 
has  ever  since  resided  here.  In  1864  he  married  1 ,  mra  J.  Blanchford,  of  Juliet.  Will  county,  who  has  borne  him 
three  children,  William  A.,  Perlie  A.,  and  Claudia  A.  He  owns  three  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  ot  land,  the 
greater  part  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  His  improvements  aie  first  class,  and  his  home  very  attractive. 

JOHN  NEWPORT. 

Mr.  Newport  is  a  f  .-inner,  living  on  section  32;  w  is  born  in  Boone  county,  Ken  tucky.  in  1832  and  located  in 
Putnam  county  in  1839.  In  1855  he  married  Miss  O. White, who  has  borne  him  twelve  children,  Lucy,  Carrie,  Alonzo, 
Ralph.  Seymore,  Julia,  LaNora,  Earl,  Andrew,  Lillian,  James  and  Nathan.  Mr.  N.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  has  been  school  director.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

MICHAEL  CLAMENS. 

Mr.  Clamens  is  a  citizen  of  Florid,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1806,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1842,  He  is 
by  trade  a  cooper,  and  followed  it  for  fifteen  years,  when  he  turned  farmer,  and  for  some  time  run  a  threshing 
machine.  He  married  >n  1832  Miss  Eliza  Winters,  and  is  the  father  of  three  children:  Mary,  Peter  and  Eliza.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Clamens  was  for  some  time  postmaster,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Dnnkard 
church.  He  owns  forty  acres  adjoining  Florid,  and  four  houses  in  the  village, 

BENJAMIN  SUTCLIFFE. 

Mr.  Sutcliffe  first  looked  out  upon  the  world  in  London,  England,  in  1835.  When  seventeen  years  old  he  en- 
listed and  was  sent  with  his  regiment  to  the  Crimea,  where  he  participated  in  the  hard  fought  battles  of  Inkerman 
and  Alma,  and  took  part  in  the  memorable  siege  of  Sebastopol.  For  gallant  conduct  and  distinguished  services  he 
was  personally  complimented  by  Queen  Victoria  and  presented  with  a  medal,  which  he  retains  as  a  family  heir- 
loom. When  the  Indian  mutiny  broke  out  he  volunteered  in  the  Seventy-sixth  Infantry,  under  marching  orders 
for  Delhi,  in  the  East  Indies,  where  he  hoped  to  enter  upon  active  service,  but  a  letter  from  his  mother,  who  had 
preceded  him  to  this  country,  decided  him  to  emigrate  here,  and  with  much  reluctance  the  authorities  granted  him 
an  honorable  discharge.  He  arrived  here  in  1858  and  in  1854  married  Harriet  L.  Osborn,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children  living  —Charles  E.  and  John  P.,  and  four  are  dead.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out  he  promptly 
offered  bis  services,  enlisting  in  company  K  of  the  One  hundred  and  fourth  Illinois  volunteer  infantry,  and  was 
appointed  ordnance  officer  of  the  Thirty-ninth  regiment.  Owing  to  poor  health  he  was  unable  to  assume  duty,  and 
was  honorably  discharged. 

WILLIAMSON  DURLEY, 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  14,  who  was  born  in  Colwell  county,  Kentucky, 
in  1810,  and  came  to  Sangamon  co..  in  1819.  where  he  lived  u  .til  1831,  when  he  emigrated  to  Putnam  county,  then 
recently  organized.  An  uncle- John  Durley,  was  associated  with  him,  and  together  they  embarked  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  opening  out  a  mile  above  the  town.  Their  cuntouaeis  were  principally  Indians,  though  settlers  were 
rapidly  coming  in.  When  the  village  was  laid  out  they  secured  a  lot  and  began  the  erection  of  a  storehouse,  to 
which  they  removed.  In  1837  ho  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  in  1844  retired  from  business  and  devoted  himself 
to  improving  his  real  estate.  His  wife,  whom  he  married  in  1834.  was  Miss  E'izabeth  Winters,  born  in  Monroe 
county,  Ohio,  in  1810.  They  have  eight  children,  one  of  whom  is  a  prominent  lawyerat  Le  Mars,  Iowa.  In  politics 
Mr.  Durley  is  a  pronounced  Republican,  and  has  occupied  advanced  ground  in  politics,  having  been  a  leading  mem- 
ber and  organizer  of  the  Union  League.  In  pro-slavery  times  he  was  an  active  "free-soiler,"  in  full  sympathy 
with  the  leaders  of  the  Liberty  party,  personally  aiding  in  the  escape  of  fugitives.  He  has  been  actively  engaged 
in  public  life.  For  many  years  he  was  county  commissioner,  served  as  internal  revenue  assessor  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  up  to  1865.  He  has  been  an  active  promoter  of  the  educational  interests  of  the  township,  serving 
in  all  capacities;  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace,  is  often  called  to  administer  on  estates  and  settle  differences 
between  neighbors.  Daring  the  rebellion  he  was  cboteu  to  fill  the  township  quota  of  enlistments,  in  which  he  was 
assisted  by  William  Allen;  is  reporter  for  the  Agricultural  Bureau  at  Washington,  and  his  opinions  upon  farming 


640 


RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


matters  are  recognized  authorities.  In  principle  and  practice  Mr.  Dur'ey  is  strictly  temperate,  and  himself  and 
wife  members  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Hennepin.  He  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Putnam  county,  and 
takes  pride  in  its  management. 

SIMON  HEDRICK. 

Mr,  Hedrick  is  a  merchant  and  farmer  of  Florid,  who  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania  in  1823, 
from  whence  he  removed  to  Putnam  countv  in  October,  1850.  For  ten  years  he  was  a  farmer,  when  he  embarked 
in  the  lumber  trade,  and  ran  a  saw  mill  for  nine  years.  Began  merchandising  in  1871,  and  has  followed  it  since. 
In  1852  he  married  Sarah  J.  Allen,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  She  died  in  August,  1864.  There  were  born  to  them 
three  children,  who  survive,  George  ff.,  Thomas  A.  and  John  Wallace.  Mr.  Hendrick  owns  eighty  acres  of  land 
adjoining  the  village  of  Florid. 

R.  A.  RADLE. 

Mr.  Badle  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  26,  born  in  Crawford  county,  Pa.,  in  1837,  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  in 
1856,  Settled  in  Putnam  county,  where  he  began  farming  in  1862.  He  married  Miss  M.  A.  Patton  in  1861.  She 
was  born  and  reared  in  Hennepin  township.  They  have  six  children,  Nettie  L.,  Nina  J.,  Carl  A.,  Don  A..  Melissa  A., 
and  Reuben  A.  Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  breeder  of  short-horn  cattle,  in  which  he  takes 
much  interest,  and  finds  it  very  profitable.  He  ia  extensively  engaged  in  the  rubber  bucket  pump  business,  and  is 
a  dealer  in  pump  supplies  of  all  kinds. 

GEORGE  TAYLOR. 

A  farmer,  living  in  section  24.  He  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Va.,  in  1811 ;  came  to  this  county  in  1837, 
and  permanently  settled  here  two  years  later.  He  worked  at  his  trade — that  of  a  carpenter — for  several  years,  bun 
in  1849  turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  farming.  In  1841  he  married  Mrs.  Amerilla  Wycoff,  a  native  of  Ohio,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  Salina  H.  Mrs.  Tavlor  has  five  children  by  a  former  marriage,  Lucy,  A.  D.,  Harriet,  Thus. 
H.  and  Hiram  G.,  and  one  deceased.  Mr.  T<tylor  has  served  his  township  in  the  capacity  of  roadmaster.  and  is  an 
estimable  citizen.  His  home  farm  comprises  133  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  village  of  Florid. 

ASA  CUNNINGHAM,  J.  P. 

Mr,  Cunningham  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1812,  bnt  was  raised  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner.  In  1835  he  came  West  and  located  in  Magnolia,  remnininz  there  until  1862,  when 
he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Putnam  county,  and  removed  to  Hennepin,  serving  the  county  two  terms  in  this  position. 
In  1835  be  married  Mary  Carpenter,  a  native  of  Lancaster  county,  Pa.  He  has  three  children,  S.  H.,  George  M.  and 
F.  \V.  Mrs.  C.  died  in  1878.  Mr.  Cunningaa  n  his  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  six  years,  and  was  collector  four 
years.  Both  his  sons,  and  William  Rankin.  his  son-in-law,  served  in  the  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  the 
latter  being  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chattanooga. 

WILLIAM  A.  KAYS. 

Mr,  Kays  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  where  he  was  born  in  1828,  and  came  to  Koox  county  in  1835,  removing  to 
Hennepin  in  1867.  In  1850  he  married  Miss  Olive  Hailey,  who  was  bom  in  Putnam  county.  They  have  eight  chil- 
dren, Ellen,  Jane,  Sarah,  James,  Alice,  William,  Olive,  and  Wealey.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  and  himself 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Kays  owns  a  hundred  acres  of  land,  is  a  good  farmer,  and  breeder 
of  fine  blooded  hogs.  Three  of  his  brothers  served  in  the  army,  and  one  was  killed  in  battle. 

WILLIAM  H.  BROCK. 

Mr.  Brock  is  a  wagon-maker,  living  in  Florid.  He  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  Va.,  in  1836,  and  came  to 
Putnam  county  in  1878.  In  1870  he  married  Catharine  Nixon,  to  whom  four  children  have  been  given,  viz..  Nannie, 
David,  Louis,  and  infant  not  named.  Both  himself  ana  wife  are  members  of  the  Dunkard  church.  He  is  a  hard 
working  man  and  good  mechanic,  owning  two  houses  in  town,  a  large  outfit  of  tools,  etc.,  and  does  all  kinds  of  re- 
pairing and  spring  wagon  work. 

D.  W.  DANLEY. 

Mr.  Danley  is  a  grain  and  produce  dealer  in  Hennepin,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1820,  and  came  to  Peoria  county  in  1850.  He  engaged  here  in  farming,  and  after  six  months  removed  to  Marshall 
county,  settling  on  the  'Reeves"  property,  whose  story  is  told  in  this  work.  He  purchased  the  place  from  Benja- 
min Lombard.  He  ran  the  farm  until  1868,  and  then  sold  it  to  other  parties.  He  began  the  grain  trade  in  Henry 
in  1857,  building  up  a  large  and  extensive  business.  In  1865  he  built  one  of  the  finest  warehouses  on  the  river,  with 
a  capacity  of  130,000  bushels,  which  he  sold  in  1869.  In  1868  he  built  the  fine  residence  now  owned  by  Mr.  Wright. 
He  then  went  to  Ohio  Station,  in  Bureau  county,  and  built  another  warehouse  at  Bradford,  in  Stark  county,  and 
run  both  houses  in  connection  with  C.  8.  Loomis  for  two  years.  In  1873  he  returned  to  Henry,  aud  has  been 
buying  grain  for  Nicholson  &  Co.  up  to  the  present  time.  While  the  lock  and  dam  were  building  Mr.  Danley  fur- 
nished large  quantities  of  timber  for  it.  In  1847  he  married  Nancy  McCoy,  daughter  of  Col.  John  McCoy,  of  Wash- 
ington, Pa.  S,he  died  in  1855.  His  present  wife  was  Catherine  A.  Noe,  of  Elizabeth,  N  J..  whom  he  wedded  in 
1857.  Three  children  are  the  fruite  of  this  marriage,  Eugenie  N,  born  in  1860;  Mary  L.,  1861;  and  Willis  M.,  1871. 
He  was  supervisor  of  Whitefield  and  Saratoga  townships  for  six  years,  and  in  1870  was  elected  supervisor  from 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  641 

Henry,  which  office  he  held  until  his  removal  from  the  county  in  1878.  Mr.  Danley  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
everything  pertaining  to  public  interests,  discharging  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  public. 

STEPHEN  NEWBERN. 

Mr.  Newbern  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born  here  in  1846,  and  married  Miss  Alvira  Inks,  a  native  " 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  1867.    They  have  two  children,  Albertns  and  Franklin.    Mr.  Newbern  is  president  of  the  Pro- 
tection Society  of  the  township  and  cultivates  one  hundred  acres  of  land.   He  is  a  breeder  of  and  dealer  in  Chester 
White  and  Poland  China  hogs,  having  followed  it  several  years. 

J.    M.    COWEN. 

Mr.  Cowen  is  a  prominent  physician  and  surgeon  of  the  city  of  Hennepin .  He  was  born  in  Zanesville, 
Muskingum  county.  Ohio,  in  1834,  was  a  student  in  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  from  which  institution 
he  graduated  March  2, 186S,  and  moved  west,  locating  in  Magnolia  June  1, 1858,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession  until  September.  1862.  when  he  entered  the  army  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Seventy  seventh  Illinois 
Volunteers  and  continued  in  active  service  until  February,  1865.  He  served  with  General  Sheridan  in  the  Shenan- 
doah  Valley,  was  for  about  ten  months  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  Twenty-eighth  Illinois  and  Twenty-third  Wiscon- 
sin, was  almost  continuously  on  detached  hospital  duty,  was  in  charge  of  the  transfer  of  the  wounded  from  tem- 
porary tu  permanent  hospital*  after  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  the  occasion  of  Sheridan's  celebrated  ride,  and  was 
in  charge  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  of  the  wounded  after  the  battle  of  Winchester.  September  27.  1860,  he 
married  Miss  Amelia  i  Dent,  daughter  of  Judge  Deat.  of  this  county.  She  died  November  3,  1875,  leaving  two 
children—  Charles  C.  H.  and  Robert  M.  After  his  return  to  Magnolia  he  continued  his  practice  in  that  place  until 
March,  1869,  when  he  moved  to  Hennepin.  Mr.  Coweu  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 

DR.  C.  M.  DUNCAN. 

This  gentleman  is  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon  of  Hennepin  .  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  December  17. 1816,  graduated  from  Beech  Medical  Institute  in  that  city  in  1837,  and  after  practicing 
his  profession  in  Philadelphia  two  years  removed  to  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  where  ho  also  practiced  two  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Philadelphia'  In  1842,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  he  married  Miss  Jane  E.  Noxon,  and  in  1845 
located  in  Hennepin.  May  24, 1872,  his  wife  died,  leaving  three  children— Aspasia  L.,  Zich.  T.,  and  Charles  M.  In 
1875  he  married  Miss  Vesta  A-  Turner,  a  native  of  Oxford  county,  Maine.  He  removed  to  Fairbnry,  Livingstone 
county,  Illinois,  in  1868,  but  returned  to  Hennepin  in  1870,  since  which  time  he  has  foljowtd  his  profession  success- 
fully, securing  an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice. 

JOSEPH  B.  ALBERT,  J.  P. 

Mr.  Albert  is  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  having  been  born  in  Dauphin  county  in  1836,  and  came  to  Putnam 
county  in  1842.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  E  of  the  One  hundred  and  twenty-fourth  Illinois  volunteers,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  At  Lagrange,  Tennessee,  whilo  on  duty,  he  met  with  an  injury  that  incapacitated 
him  from  further  service,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged  May  15.  1865,  and  arrived  home  June  1 .  In  1867  he 
married  Eliza  Odekirk  Davis,  a  native  of  Steuben  county.  New  York,  to  whom  one  child  has  been  born  —  Jessie 
Estelle.  He  has  served  several  terms  as  school  director  and  filled  other  public  offices.  He  is  proprieror  of  the  Put- 
nam county  nurseries,  and  an  extensive  grower  of  trees  of  all  kinds.  Mr.  Albert  is  building  a  fine  residence  the 
present  season. 

CHARLES  O.   TURNER. 

Mr.  Turner  is  a  native  of  Hennepin.  living  on  section  13  He  was  born  in  1846.  and  in  1867  married  Mattie 
Mowbery,  also  born  in  Hennepin,  unto  whom  have  been  born  four  children,  viz:  May,  illie,  Boy  and  Jennie.  He 
enlisted  in  the  One  hundred  and  thirty-ninth  regiment  Illinois  volunteers — one  hundred  dav  men  —  and  was  mus- 
tered in  at  Peoria.  Mr.  Turner  is  a  farmer,  and  owns  besides  a  portable  saw  mill,  with  which  he  manufactures  large 
Quantities  of  lumber. 

DR.  J.  F.  O'NEAL. 

A  resident  of  the  village  of  Florid,  and  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon.  He  was  born  in  Juniata  county. 
Pa.,  in  1843,  was  educated  in  Pennsylvania  and  studied  medicine  there,  graduating  from  the  medical  institute  of 
Cincinnati  in  1874.  He  first  located  in  Henry,  where  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  partnership  with 
Dr.  Kalb,  with  whom  he  had  studied  before  graduating.  In  the  fall  of  1874  he  removed  to  Florid,  and  by  indus- 
trious and  studious  attention  to  the  profession  of  his  choice  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  has 
recently  erected  a  very  pleasant  residence,  the  best  possible  evidence  that  he  has  come  to  stay;  and  as  he  is  an  emi- 
nest  student  and  lover  of  his  profession,  and  withal  a  pleasant  sociable  gentleman  who  improves  on  acquaintance 
is  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  community. 

OAKES  TURNER. 

Mr.  Turner  lives  on  sections  13  and  14,  and  was  born  in  Oxford  county,  in  the  state  of  Maine,  in  1808,  removed 
west  in  1834  and  located  at  Henuepin.  He  was  an  excellent  penman  and  accountant  and  in  1836  was  appointed 
county  clerk  and  circuit  clerk  in  1838,  which  office  he  held  by  appointment  until  1847.  In  the  spring  of  1848  he  was 
appointed  county  treasurer  to  till  the  unexpired  term  of  Jos.  Catlin  who  removed  from  the  county,  was  re-elected 


642  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

in  1856  and  again  in  1857.  He  served  the  county  in  different  capacities  until  he  refused  to  be  a  candidate  any  fur- 
ther. In  1841  he  served  as  assignee  in  nearly  all  the  cases  of  bankruptcy.  Since  his  retiracy  he  has  been  ei  - 
gaged  in  farming  and  owns  a  fine  place  of  400  acres,  well  improved  and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  In  1840 
he  married  Rebecca  Butler  by  whom  he  has  five  children,  Virginia  (Mrs.  Leech)  Charles  O.,  Mac  and  James  W.  In 
1847  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention.  In  tue  summer  of  1835  he  put  up  a  carding  mR- 
chine  for  Fair-field  &  Leeper  on  Little  Bureau  above  Leepertown.  and  run  it  that  season.  It  was  the  second  ertw- 
prise  of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Turner  has  been  in  active  business  all  his  life,  and  made  on  •  of  tli,; 
best  public  officers  the  county  ever  had. 

JOHN  LEHMANN. 

Mr.  Lehmann  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  23,  and  was  born  in  Germany  1824.  He  emigrated  to  Canada  in 
1864,  and  came  to  this  county  four  years  later,  or  in  1858.  His  wife  was  formerly  Catherine  Btuver,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1859  at  Hennepin.  Her  native  country  was  Germany.  Their  children  are  Amelia,  Anthony,  Christo- 
pher, Lena,  John,  Katie  and  Minnie.  Mr.  Lehmann  owns  240  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  his 
buildings  are  first-class.  He  is  one  of  the  live  men  of  the  place  and  a  warm  patron  of  whatever  promotes  the  in- 
terest of  the  community. 

JOSEPHUS  PHELPS. 

Mr.  Phclps  is  a  native  of  Worcester,  Mass..  where  he  was  born  in  1804.  In  18SO  he  enlisted  in  the  regular 
army  and  served  three  years,  after  which  he  settled  in  Putnam  connty  about  1833.  la  1840  he  married  MUH  Lvdia 
Clark  of  Onondago  county.  New  York  and  to  them  were  born  seven  surviving  children,  Mary,  Fabini  E.,  Irene, 
Irvin,  Flavins  J,  and  Charles  F.  «r.  Pnelps1  patriotism  was  inherited  in  his  sons,  two  of  whom  became  soldiers 
in  the  late  war.  Fabius  belonged  to  the  105th  111.  volunteers  and  shared  with  Sherman  the  glory  of  the  march  to 
the  sea.  At  Atlanta  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  was  confined  in  Audersonville  two  months.  Another  son,  Arthur, 
was  in  the  100  day  service.  Mr.  Phelps  in  the  olden  time  occassionally  assisted  escaping  negroes  on  their  way  to 
Canada.  He  owns  and  cultivates  a  small  farm  on  which  he  resides. 

JOSEPH  FORNEY. 

A  prominent  citizen  of  Florid,  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  He  w,is  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio  in  1850, 
but  with  his  parents  came  to  Bureau  county  when  only  two  years  of  age.  In  1873  he  married  Miss  Mary  O'Neal, 
whose  birth-place  was  in  Dauphin  connty.  Pa.  They  have  two  children.  La  Rjy  and  Frank.  Mr  F.irney  has  baen 
successfully  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account  something  over  six  years,  and  in  Florid  since  March,  1879. 
He  has  a  new  store  and  dwelling,  carries  a  large  and  well-assorted  stock  of  goods,  and  is  prepared  to  sell  on  as 
favorable  terms  as  any  other  dealer  in  his  line. 

WILLIAM  STEHL. 

This  gentleman  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  carrying  on  business  at  Florid,  in  Putnam  connty.  He  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Germany,  in  1854,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1872,  staying  two  years  in  New  York,  and  reaching  Putnam 
county  in  1874.  The  year  after  he  married  Maggie  Hamel.  a  native  of  the  same  locality  with  himself.  They  have 
two  children,  Freddie  and  Lewis.  Mrs.  8.  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Stclil  is  an  expert  mechanic, 
and  does  all  kinds  of  repair  work,  horse-shoeing  and  jobbing.  He  owns  a  very  pleasant  home  in  Florid. 

JOHN  BRITMFIELD. 

Mr,  Brumfield  is  a  farmer,  who  came  from  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  where  he  was  born  in  1831,  coming  here 
with  his  parents  when  one  year  old.  and  has  ever  since  lived  in  Putnam  connty.  In  1862  he  became  a  soldier,  en- 
listing in  Company  E,  One  hundred  and  twenty-fourth  Illinois  volunteers,  and  serving  until  mustered  out  at  Chi- 
cago in  1865.  Returning  from  service  he  married  Margaret  Markley,  born  in  Missouri,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
three  children,  viz:  Cora,  Jessie  and  Mary.  Mrs  B.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  K.  church.  They  own  a  fine  farm  of 
one  hundred  acres,  well  improved.  Mr.  B.  is  industrious,  careful  and  thrifty. 

HENRY  GRINER. 

Mr.  Griner  isa  native  of  Penusylvania,  and  was  born  in  Lancaster  county  in  1813,  and  emigrated  to  Putnam 
county  in  1863,  locating  in  Hennepin  township.  He  married  Martha  E.  Spalmon  in  1839,  also  from  Lancaster 
county.  She  died  February  18, 1879  Tne  names  of  their  children  were  Mary  K-,  Sarah  J.,  Susan,  Maria,  Rachel, 
Annie  and  John. 

ASAPH  PARMALEE. 

Mr.  Parmaleee  is  a  farmer  and  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  in  the  home  in  whjch  he  now  resides,  in  1851. 
He  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss  Agnes  Thomas,  likewise  a  native  of  Putnam  county.  They  have  one  child,  Irton, 
born  in  1875.  Mr.  I'armalee  is  a  member  of  the  local  protection  socie  ty  and  cultivates  about  one  hundred  acres  of 
land. 

JAMES  L.  PATTERSON. 

Mr.  Patterson  is  a  farmer  and  mechanic,  living  in  Florid.  He  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  1843, 
coming  to  Putnam  connty  in  1860.  When  the  rebellion  broke  out,  he  promptly  offered  his  services,  enlisting  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  643 

53 1  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  nerving  until  mnstereH  out  at  Springfield  at  the  close  of  the  war.  While  on  forage  duty 
Ht  Moscow,  Tenn.,  he  wascap'ured  by  the  rebels,  bu'  mad«  his  escape  three  days  later.  Again  he  wan  captured  at 
Jackson  Miss  .  July  12th,  1£63  arid  en). fined  in  Libbey  prison.  Castle  Thunder  and  Belle  Tale  for  four  months. 
Tame  home  on  a  furlough:  and  though  never  having  been  exchanged,  and  legally  not  compelled  to  serve,  he  went, 
and  at.  the  hard-fought  battle  before  \tlanta  was  captured  while  on  a  charge  to  recover  the  body  of  Gen.  McPher- 
HOU.  This  time  he  was  sent  to  \ndersonville.where  he  endured  a  living  death  for  ten  months,  suffering  all  that 
man  could  and  live.  He  helped  construct  the  great  tunnel,  and  was  one  of  the  first  who  passed  through.  Himself 
nnd  two  others  bad  got  seventy  -five  mile*  awav.  when  they  were  tracked  by  b'oorl-hounds  and  captured  by  Texas 
Hungers.  When  returned,  tney  were  bui-kel  and  gagged,  and  the  most  inhuman  tortures  inflicted  upon  them. 
From  Andersonville  th>  y  were  removed  to  Slacon.  Georgia,  and  from  thence  to  Jacksonville,  Florida,  and  retained 
until  after  the  surrender  of  Lee.  \pril91865.  He  married  Lorinda  Bole,  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Andersonville  A  BDC  H'iim  of  the  U.  8. 

WILLIAM  ALLEN. 

Mr.  Allen  is  a  farmer  and  stock  raiset ,  who  was  born  in  Devonshire,  England,  in  1812  and  came  to  America  in 
1832.  He  first  Incut,  d  in  Philadelphia,  where,  after  a  stay  of  M-vcn  years,  he  came  to  Putnam  county,  reaching 
heie  in  May.  1839.  In  1838  he  married  Mary  Fairgraves,  of  E'-'inburg.  Scotland.  They  have  five  children  living, 
John.  Mary.  Martha,  \nnie  J.  and  Willie.  His  family  are  mimbars  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  has  been  a  successful 
M  ork  iai*er  ai.d  dealer  for  twenty  years;  Is  a  good  farmer,  and  is  president  of  the  Bnel  Institute.  3e  has  served  as 
supervisor  of  the  township  several  times.  Mr.  Allen  is  also  an  apiarist,  and  has  about  fifty  stands  of  bees. 

MRS.  FLORA  ZENOR. 

Mis.  Zennr  is  widow  of  the  late  H.  K.  Zenor,  deceased,  who  came  to  Hennepin  in  1831,  nearly  fifty  years  ago 
*nd  t-mharkud  in  farming,  at  which  he  was  very  successful.  Their  children  are  Mary,  who  became  Mrs.  Thorn; 
D.llie,  Mrs.  fenton:  Milista,  Mrs.  Shepard;  George,  Richard,  Henry,  John  and  Harley  B.  The  latter  is  the  only  one 
now  at  hoaiH.  He  was  born  where  he  now  resides,  in  1855,  and  is  a  member,  as  also  was  his  father  before  him,  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  The  homestead  embraces  340  acres,  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.'and  the  parties  own  two  other 
1  firms  up  the  river. 

WILLIAM  WAUGII. 

Mr.  Waugh  deceased,  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  PH.,  in  1798,  and  in  1833  married  Amelia  Frazcr,  a 
native  of  Somerset  county,  born  in  1815.  They  arrived  West  in  1839,  locating  at  Peru,  and  came  to  Putnam  county 
in  1853.  I  he/  have  eitrht  children  living — viz..  Mary,  Ellen,  Kichard,  Jane.  William,  James,  Edwin  and  Armstead. 
Mr.  Waush  died  in  1878,  having  lived  a  long  and  useful  life,  and  been  very  successful  in  his  undertakings.  They 
have  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  300  acres.  Four  sons,  each  with  families,  live  at  home. 

GEORGE  McLnAN. 

Mr.  McLjan  is  a  farmer  living  in  section  3G,  and  was  born  in  New  York  in  1836;  came  West  in  1853,  and 
locaterl  in  McIIenry  county,  removing  to  Putnam  cmmty  in  1862.  In  1861  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Lincoln,  who 
was  b'.rn  in  New  York  State.  They  have  five  children,  George  W..  Cora  J.,  Charles  H..  Jennie  B.  and  Elizabeth. 
He  owns  260  acres  of  land,  one  half  of  which  is  well  improved.  Mr.  McLean  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
a  skillful  farmer,  and  receives  a  large  income  from  his  labors. 

MRS.  MATTIE  BRUMFIELD. 

Mrs.  Brumfield,  widow,  wai  born  in  Putnam  county.  She  married  Mr.  Augustus  Brumfield  in  December, 
1869.  He  was  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Indiana;  went  to  California  in  1850.  and  remained  until  1866.  when  he  re- 
turned and  located  in  this  countv.  He  died  April  28. 1869.  Mrs.  Brumfield  is  a  daughter  of  Mr.  William  Allen,  of 
Ileonepin.  Site  isa  lady  otunassumed  delicacy,  and  is  deeply  grieved  by  her  great  loss  in  the  death  of  her  late 
Husband,  She  owns  over  200  acres  of  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hennepin,  the  county  seat  of  Putnam 
county . 

MARTIN  NASH. 

Mr.  Nash  was  b  rn  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois  in  1830,  and  came  to  this  county,  where  (with  his  parents  in 
1835),  he  hts  ever  since  resided  here.  Hts  father  and  mother  died  in  187C>  and  1878  respectively.  In  1859  Mr.  Nash 
married  Miss  Charlotte  Noble,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  died  in  1872.  leaving  four  children,  Charles  N..  Leonard  W., 
Henrietta  B.  and  Nellie,  His  present  wife.  Sir  ih  J.  Mead,  he  nurried  in  1874.  She  is  a  native  of  New  York  city. 
Mr.  N.  is  a  succpssf  ul  farmer,  and  the  duties  of  the  house  are  well  cared  for  by  Mrs.  N.  They  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  church. 

THOMAS  W.  SHEPARD. 

Mr.  Shepard  was  born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  in  1812,  and  when  still  a  boy  removed  to  Indiana.  He 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1835.  and  married  Miss  Catherine  Ham  in  1844.  She  was  born  in  New  York.  Seven 
children  have  been  the  result  of  the  union,  IVichel,  James,  fhotnas.  George  E..  Ella,  Richard  and  EH  Grant.  Mr. 
Shepard  ht^  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  schools,  having  served  14  years  as  director,  and  several  as  road 
commissioner,  lie  is  a  large  landholder  owning  335  acres,  besides  other  property ;  is  a  member  of  the  Local  Pro- 


644  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

teotive  Society,  organized  for  the  apprehension  of  horse-thieves  and  the  protection  of  property.  In  early  life  he 
followed  boating.  and:after  coming  to  Illinois  worked  at  wagon  making;  was  in  the  lumber  business  some  time, 
and  one  year  sold  goods  in  Florid;  has  been  extensively  engaged  in  the  ice  trade,  following  it  seven  years;  has  been 
a  farmer  thirty-five  years,  and,  in  addition  to  his  home  farms,  owns  a  section  of  land  in  Kansas  and  lands  in  Wis- 
consin. 

W.  S.  BENEDICT. 

Mr.  Benedict  is  a  snceessf  nl  farmer,  who  was  born  in  Marion  township.  Linn  county,  Iowa,  in  1848.  and  came 
lo  Putnam  county  in  1878.  In  January  of  that  sear  he  married  Ada  Wilde,  who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1854. 
They  have  one  child,  Lyman  E.  They  own  264 acres,  which,  under  bit  energetic  management,  is  beingput  in  firsts 
class  condition.  They  also  have  an  interest  in  the  unsettled  estate  of  Mr.  Benedict,  grandfather  of  Mr.  W.  8. 
Benedict. 

JACOB  ZENOR. 

Mr.  Zenor  (deceased)  was  a  native  of  Louisville,  Ky..  and  was  born  in  1812.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1831 
and  np  to  his  death  was  engaged  in  farming.  May  1st,  1838  he  wedded  Alvina  gkeeis.  a  native  of  Onio.  and  their 
union  was  blessed  with  nine  oh.ldren.  Lucy  E.,  Emeline,  Charles  V.,  Francis.  William  E.,  James  H.,  Nancy  A., 
Annie  May,  and  Lewis  A.  Mr.  Zenor  died  August  16. 1879.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Zsnor  (Skeels)  was  one  of  the  earli- 
est settlers  of  Hennepin,  coming  here  in  1830.  He  died  in  1841.  Her  mother  lived  until  Sept..  1879,  dying  at  the  good 
old  age  of  90, 

LAMBERT  WINTERSCHEIDT. 

Mr.  Winterscheidt  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  1,  and  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1820,  coming  to  this  country  in 
1845.  He  came  to  Hennepin  in  1847  and  married  Mary  Dreasen  in  1848,  She  was  born  in  Prussia  on  the  river 
Rhine,  Dec.  12. 1&^8.  Ihey  have  had  nine  children,  Elizabeth,  William  H.,  Mary  J.,  Wilhelmina.  Josephine,  W'xl- 
liam  Augustus,  Georgie,  and  two  deceased.  Mr.Winterpcheidt  possesses  all  the  industry  and  thrift  of  his  people  and 
owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  214  acres,  lias  served  several  terms  as  school  director  ana  filled  other  offices. 
Before  coming  to  this  country  he  served  three  years  in  the  Prussian  army. 

JOHN  CAROTHERS. 

Mr.  Carothers  is  superintendent  of  the  Putnam  county  poor  house  which  he  manages  to  the  satisfaction  of 
those  concerned.  He  was  born  in  Canada  in  1825  and  moved  to  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  lived  several  years,  emi- 
grating to  Putnam  county  in  1866.  In  1859  he  married  Mary  Ann  Buchanan,  of  Boston,  to  whom  one  child,  James 
A.,  was  born.  Mr.  C.  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  Mr.  C.  attends  the  county  farm  of  thirty  acres 
paying  a  rental  of  $155  yearly,  and  furnishes  the  paupers  board  at  an  agreed  on  price,  the  county  providing  suitable 
quarters. 

JACOB  J.  CROISSANT. 

Mr.  Croissant  is  a  farmer  and  was  born  in  Bureau  county  in  1849.  He  moved  to  Peru  with  his  parents  in  1852 
where  he  resided  until  March  1879.  when  he  purchased  hi1,  present  farm  and  moved  to  Hennepin.  Married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Orth  in  1869.  Bhe  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  They  ave  three  children,  Caroline,  Aramina  and  Annie. 
Mr.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  German  Uencvoleut  societ>,  of  Peru,  of  winch  he  was  secretary  five  years,  up  to  March 
1879.  He  owns  170  acres  of  land,  well  improved.  He  is  a  ship  caulker  by  trade  which  he  followed  part  of  the  time, 
and  served  several  years  in  a  store. 

ARCHIBALD  GERROW. 

Mr.  Gerrow  was  born  in  county  Antrim,  Ireland,  in  1857,  from  where  he  emigrated  in  1869,  coming  to  Putnam 
county  and  locating  in  Hennepin  township,  where  he  remained  four  years  and  then  moved  to  Livingston  county. 
Ill,  In  1875  he  returned  to  Hennepin  and  married  Mis*  Rachel  Shepherd.  She  was  born  in  Florid,  Hennepin  town- 
ship. They  have  two  children,  Eddie  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Gerrow  farms  60  acres,  well  improved,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  promising  young  farmers  in  this  prosperous  tovvnship. 

WILLIAM  S.  COLEMAN. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1845.  and  moved  with  bis  parents  to  California  in 
1847,  being  among  the  first  emigrants  to  the  "sunset  lands."  fney  journeyed  with  ox  teams  and  their  trip  was 
long  and  eventful.  On  the  way  j*Ir.  C.  met  with  an  accident,  the  c  maetjujncea  of  which  have  followed  him 
through  life.  The  family  returned  from  California  in  1851  and  in  1871  he  married  Marg  xetta  R  inch,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children  living.  Francis  M.,  and  Albertus.  Mr.  Coleman  owns  100  acres  of  land  and  his  farm  is  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation. 

BARNERD  CALEY. 

Mr.  Caley  is  a  farmer  of  Hennepin  township  and  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  io  1840.    In  1861 

•        he  enlisteu  in  company  C.  of  the  1st  uancast.-r  Light  Artillery  and  participated  in  much  of  the  heavy  fighting  of 

the  peninsula.    l -wing  to  wounds  received  in  action  he  was  discharged  at  Hairison's  Landing  July  20th.  1863,  and 

returned  liome.    Feb.  20th  he  enlisted  in  the  cavalry  tmd  became  a  member  of  company  G,  of  the  20th  Pennsyl- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  645 

vania  cavalry,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  When  mustered  out  of  the  artillery  he  was  orderly  sargent 
aud  his  commission  had  been  made  out  as  Lieutenant.  He  was  1st  duty  sargent  in  the  cavalry.  After  the  war  was 
over  he  married  Fannie  Elliuger  in  1867  and  turned  farmer.  She  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania. 

JOSEPH  ALLEN. 

Mr.  Allen  has  been  postmaster  of  Florid  twelve  years.  His  native  state  is  Pennsylvania  where  he  was  born  in 
Dauphin  county  in  1826.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1841,  locating  in  Piunam  county.  Hia  first  job  was  shaving  oak 
shingles  at  which  he  worked  three  years,  and  then  began  cooperinz,  following  it  eight  years.  Then  he  tried  farm- 
ing, following  the  plow  fifteen  years,  and  next  became  a  merchant.  After  four  years  service  he.  sold  out  and  went 
to  butchering  and  dealing  in  produce.  For  some  time  he  worked  for  Mr.  Hedrick  in  the  store.  Is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  of  the  Local  Protection  Association  of  Putnam  county. 

JOHN  BUNGES. 

Mr.  Bunges  is  a  farmer,  livinc  on  section  36,  Hennepin  township.  He  was  born  in  Luxemburg.  Germany,  in 
1828,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1852,  locating  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  from  whence  he  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1866. 
He  was  married  to  Susannah  Bedesheim  (born  in  Prussia),  in  1857,  by  whom  he  has  four  children,  Xugust,  Maggie, 
Mary  and  Lizzie.  They  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  of  Hennepin,  and  own  eighty  acres  of  land. 

HTJLDAH  BOYLE. 

Mrs.  Boyle  is  the  widow  of  Burns  Boyle,  who  died  in  1860.  leaving  five  children,  their  names  being  as  follows : 
Albert,  Joseph,  Emery.  Isaac  and  Emily.  Isaac  lives  at  home  with  his  mother,  and  manages  their  farm  of  183 
ant's,  which  he  has  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  He  was  born  in  this  county  in  1857. 

CHARLES  COLEMAN. 

Mr.  Coleman  is  a  farmer,  who  was  born  in  Bnntingtou  county.  New  Jersey,  in  1817.  and  emigrated  West  in 
1814,  locating  in  this  county.  The  gold  fever  of  1847,  that  carried  so  many  men  off,  took  him  to  California,  where 
he  remained  four  years.  He  married  Jane  L.  Lane  in  1845  the  results  of  the  union  being  five  children,  William 
8.,  John  B.,  Richard  S.,  and  Charlie  and  Jenijie  (twins).  -Mr.  Coleman  has  been  very  successful  in  his  undertak- 
ings, has  a  pleasant  home,  and  owns  390  acres  of  land;  has  seen  much  of  the  world,  is  a  close  observer  and  good 
judge  of  human  nature. 

JOEL  WHITAKER. 

Mr,  Whitaker  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  36,  in  Hennepin  township.  He  was  born  in  Cumberland  county. 
New  Jersey,  in  October.  1815,  aud  located  in  Putnam  county  with  his  parents  in  May,  1835,  where  he  has  lived  ever 
since.  February  2, 1854,  Mr.  W.  married  Mrs.  Jane  Noble  (Leech),  who  bore  them  seven  children,  Harriet,  Louis, 
Adda,  Frank,  Lucii.da,  Jennie,  and  Joel  Henry.  Mr.  W.  is  commissioner  of  Highways,  and  treasurer  of  the  school 
board,  and  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Granville.  He  owns  a  rine  farm  of  220  acres, 
with  good  improvements,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  solid  men  of  the  county. 

WILLIAM  WEEKS. 

Mr.  Weeks  is  a  stock  dealer,  and  has  a  meat  market  in  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  Devonshire,  England,  in 
1854,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1875,  locating  in  Hennepin,  where  he  commenced  business  for  himself.  He  was 
married  June  6, 1879,  to  Miss  Ida  D^yoe  (born  in  Henry,  Marshall  county.  III.)  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  W.  has  for  some  time  been  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge:  and  by  close  application 
and  thoroughly  understanding  the  wants  of  the  public,  has  bnilt  up  a  good  business,  and  his  market  is  a  popular 
resort  for  all  desiring  anything  in  his  line. 

JOHN  H.  RATTCH. 

Mr.  Ranch  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  35.  He  was  born  in  South  Hanover  township.  Dauphin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1847.  Came  west  in  1866  and  located  in  Putnam  county.  He  married  Miss  Marian  J.  Btouffer  in  1871. 
She  was  bom  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  have  two  children  living,  Annie  L.  and  Jennie  M.,  and 
two  deceased  twins.  He  is  school  trustee  and  a  member  of  the  local  protection  society,  of  which  he  has  been  treas- 
urer. He  owns  ninety-seven  acres  of  land,  with  good  improvements  and  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

BENJAMIN  COOK. 

Mr.  Cook  is  a  native  of  Dupage  county,  having  been  born  in  Juliet  in  1852,  and  moved  to  Livingston  county  in 
1859.  From  thence  he  went  to  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  in  1875,  and  came  to  Putnam  in  1878.  He  married  Miss  Susan 
Dysart  in  1876,  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  children,  Hjtrvey  and  Burtie*  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cook  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Hennepin-  Mr.  C.  cultivates  230  acres  of  land  ad- 
joining Hennepin. 

CHARLES  TRIERWEILER. 

Mr.  Trlerweiler  is  a  carriage  painter  by  trade  and  an  extensive  manufacturer  of  carriages,  wagons,  etc'  He  is 
a  Prussian  by  birth,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Welschbillig,  December  26.  1824.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1847,  locating  at  first  in  Michigan,  whence  he  removed  to  Chicago,  and  after  a  short  stay  he  started  for  St.  Louis, 
taking  steamboat  at  Peru.  The  boat  on  which  he  embarked  stopped  awhile  at  Hennepin,  and  going  ashore  he  be- 


646  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

cHinc  interested  in  the  ineffectual  attempts  of  several  men  to  shce  a  wild  horse.  Remarking  he  conld  do  the  job  he 
was  invited  to  try  his  band,  which  he  did  and  succeeded.  Tempting  offers  were  made  for  him  to  remp.in.  which  he 
did.  He  worked  one  sear  for  wages  and  another  as  partner.  In  1850  he  began  business  with  John  Hnghep,  and  has 
been  here  ever  since.  In  1853  he  married  Susan  Kneip,  and  is  the  father  of  five  children.  Lizzie,  Margaret  .Mary, 
Annie  I"  and  Charles  M.  Another*Louis,  died  in  1879.  Mr.  Trierweiler  is  «n  ingenious  mechanic  and  good  work- 
man, and  does  a  large  amount  of  repairing* 

GEORGE  W.  ELLINGER. 

Mr.  Ellinger  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1839,  and  came  west  in  1868,  locating  in  Putnam 
county.  Was  married  to  Anna  Mary  Ranch  in  1868  a  natiye  of  Dauphin  county.  Pennsylvania.  When  the  cull 
went  outfor  "six  hundred  thousand  more  "  Mr.  Ellinger  enlisted  in  the  One  hundred  and  twentieth  Pennsylvania 
nine  months  men,  and  served  until  discharged.  Enlisted  again  in  the  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  for  three  months, 
and  was  mustered  out;  enlisted  in  the  one  hundred  day  service  and  served  his  time,  and  then  enlisted  again,  and 
was  finally  mustered  oat  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  slightly  wounded  at  Fredericksbnrg,  Virginia,  where  he  par- 
ticipated in  two  fights. 

JAMES  S.  ZENA. 

Mr.  Zena  is  a  fanner,  living  on  section  33,  in  Hennepin  township.  He  was  born  in  Jt  fferpon  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1829.  and  came  to  Putnam  county  with  his  parents  in  1839.  He  has  followed  farming  all  his  life,  except 
two  years  spent  in  California  (1850  and  52).  on  the  Central  Railroad  two  years,  and  in  the  b'acksmithing  business 
three  years.  In  1667  he  married  Miss  Maria  Leech  (born  in  Ohio  and  raised  in  Putnam  county).  Thfy  have  five 
children,  Francis  M.,  Robert  E.,  Arthur,  Charles  J.,  and  Katie.  Mr.  Zena  and  wif-j  have  been  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist church  for  the  past  twelve  years,  and"Mr.  Z.  has  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of  school  trustee  for  about 
twelve  years. 

C.  WOOD. 

Mr.  Wood  is  a  retired  farmer,  living  in  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Fayette  county,  P*.,  in  1820. 
and  moved  to  Warren  county,  Ohio,  with  his  mother,  when  he  was  only  two  years  old,  and  csme  to  Pntnam  county 
in  1854,  locating  in  Magnolia  township,  where  he  remained  until  1£G9,  when  he  moved  to  Hennepin,  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Misa  Martha  Crcmley  in  1862.  They  have  only  one  child,  Ida,  who  was  born  in  1S59.  Mr.  W.  still  owns  his 
fine  farm  in  Magnolia  township,  which  he  rents  out.  He  has  been  a  successful  farmer,  taking  a  lively  interest  in 
everything  pertair  irjg  to  agriculture,  and  is  now  living  on  the  income  from  his  property. 

MARTIN  BATMAN. 

Mr.  Bauman  is  a  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  fuiniture,  and  a  Prussian  by  birth,  having  been  born  in  the 
principality  of  Hesse-Darmstadt  November  24  1819-  Finding  little  chance  for  a  man  to  rise  in  the  old  world  he  de- 
termined to  emigrate  to  the  United  Statin,  and  landed  at  New  York  April  14.  1851  He  worked  at  his  trade  there 
four  and  a  half  years  and  came  to  Hennepin  in  1856,  where  he  established  himselt  in  business  and  has  continued  it 
ever  since.  In  1H55  he  was  married  ro  Miss  Anna  Reiiibardt.  in  Columbia  county  Ni^w  YorK.  a  citizen  of  his  native 
place,  to  whom  have  been  boru  two  children,  Mary  and  Philip.  Before  coming  to  this  country  he  served  six  years 
in  the  army. 

ALFORD  MONROE. 

Mr.  Monroe  is  a  merchant  of  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1815,  moved  to  Pntnam  county  in 
1845,  located  in  the  village  of  Hennepin,  and  started  a  grocery  store.  In  1844  he  married  Margaret  J.  Condit,  whu 
was  also  a  native  of  New  Ycrk  City.  and*tbree  children  have  blessed  their  union,—  George,  Frank  L.  and  Marietta. 
11  r.  Monroe  belongs  to  the  Society  of  Quakers,  while  his  wife  is  of  the  Univerealist  denomination.  He  followed 
steamboatme  many  years,  was  an  outspoken  anti-slavery  man  in  the  exciting  times  during  the  operation  of  the 
Fugitive  Slave  Law,  and  refuted  to  let  a  slave-holder  preach  the  Gospel  to  his  deck  hands. 

G.  E.  S.  BrRNEY. 

Mr.  Burney  is  proprietor  of  the  leading  confectionery,  oister  and  ice  cream  saloon  in  the  place,  established  in 
1879.  He  is  a  son  of  W.  H.  G.  Burney,  a  well  known  printer  and  editor  of  marked  ability;  who  died  in  1P69.  Mr.  B. 
keeps  a  large  supply  of  fruits,  nuts,  oysters,  candy,  cigars  and  tobacco,  and  his  rooms  for  ice  cream  and  oyster  par- 
ties are  elegantly  turnished. 

GFORGF  F.  STANTON. 

Mr.  S'anton  was  born  in  Fountain  City,  Wayne  county.  Indiana,  in  1S56.  and  came  to  Hennepin  along  with 
his  parents  in  1857,  where  he  received  his  education  and  thoroughly  qualified  himself  for  his  profession.  He  is  a 
son  of  Dr.  Stanton.  an  old  and  experienced  physician  and  present  treasurer  of  the  county.  George  Stanton  has 
been  conversant  with  the  drug  business  since  he  was  fourteen  ye'trs  old,  and  is  a  cireful,  competent  prescription 
clerk.  At  present  he  is  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  McCook. 

C.    P.    TOWLE. 

Sir.  Towle  is  a  harness  maker  by  trade  and  was  born  in  Brunswic^,  Renssclaer  county.  Mew  York,  in  1828. 
When  two  years  old  his  parents  came  to  Gallatiu  connty,  Illinois,  and  from  thence  they  went  to  Hickman.  Ken- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  647 

tucky.  From  there  they  removed  to  Arkansas  in  1850.  After  some  stay  at  each  place,  workine  at  his  trade,  he  re- 
turned to  Kentucky,  and  from  thence  came  to  Illinois  in  1858.  Here  he  married  Miss  8.  J.  Story,  of  Granville.  and 
they  began  housekeeping.  They  have  seven  children,  John,  Clara,  Ada.  Mattie,  Jennie,  Charloin  and  Walker.  Is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders. 

THEODORE  CLASSON. 

Mr.  Classen  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1844.  and  rame  to  the  United  States  in  1864,  locating  on  section  12  of  Hen- 
nepin  township,  Concluding  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,  he  married  Miss  Christina  Clei'.  in  1875.  She 
was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  They  have  one  child,  William,  born  in  Hennepin.  Mr.  C.  owns  and  cultivates  one 
hundred  acres  of  land.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  of  Hennepin. 

W.  B.  BAKMORE. 

Mr.  Parmore  is  a  stock  dealer  and  the  proprietor  of  a  meat  market  in  Heunepin.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
in  1818,  and  located  in  Hennepin  in  1852.  He  commenced  business  in  January.  1853,  and  has  continued  in  business 
since.  He  married  Miss  Henrietta  V.  Anderson,  who  w:w  a  native  of  N.  J.  They  have  three  children,  Watterilla, 
Edward  H.  and  Henry  C.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O,  F.  and  a  Mason,  and  is  the  longest  established  butcher  in 
Hennepin. 

WILLIAM  EDDY. 

Mr.  Eddy  is  one  of  the  very  few  men  who  make  merchandising  a  success  He  was  born  in  Wilmington, 
Windham  county,  Vermont,  1831,  came  to  Hennepin  in  1844  as  a  clerk,  and  established  bis  present  business  in 
1853.  I  wo  years  later,  in  1855,  he  marrifd  Elizabeth  B.  Casson,  a  native  of  Brownsvill 3,  Fayette  county,  Penn.,  to 
whom  four  childien  have  been  given,  William  E.,  Mary  L.,  Alice  C.  and  Harry  C  Mr.  Eddy  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  I.  O  O.  F.  of  twentv-tive  >ears  standing,  having  been  initiated  the  first  night  of  its  organization. 
He  has  the  finest  store  room  in  the  counties  of  Marshall  or  Putnam,  and  does  a  heavy  trade.  He  is  a  pro- 
gressive citizen,  and  th»  man  to  succeed  where  others  fail, 

G.    A.   McCoRMICK. 

Mr.  McCormick  is  in  the  drug  and  medicine  trade  at  Hennepin,  doing  a  good  business.  He  was  born  in  Davis 
county,  Indiana,  in  184G,  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  120th  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  1863,  and  was  discharjed  in  1864 
through  disability.  After  his  discharge  he  settled  in  Indiana  for  a  short  time,  but  came  to  Illinois  ia  1866.  He 
married  Miss  Angeretta  Simpson  in  1870,  and  in  1876  she  died,  leaving  three  children,  Ira,  Ida  and  Edna. 
In  1877  he  married  Miss  Mary  Fitzpatrick.  He  is  a  member  of  the  1.  O.  O.  F.,  and  an  active,  energetic  and  suc- 
cessful business  man. 

J.  W.  MARKLY. 

Mr.  Markly  is  a  native  of  Hennepin,  and  first  saw  light  here  in  August  30, 1855.  He  received  his  education  at 
Bloomington,  and  having  decided  upon  his  present  business,  established  himself  here  in  1877.  His  ntxt  move  was 
to  look  about  for  a  helpmeet,  and  very  happily  he  found  one  in  the  person  of  Jennie  Greiner,  whom  he  married  in 
1878.  He  is  a  liberal  dealer  and  carries  a  large  stoc*  of  hardware,  stoves,  nhelf  goods,  guns,  ammunition,  etc.  He 
is  one  of  the  live  business  men  of  Hennepin. 

J.  H.  HYLER. 

Mr.  Hylrr  was  born  in  the  cit}'  of  New  York  in  1833.  When  the  war  broke  out  and  a  call  was  made  for  sol- 
diers to  put  down  the  rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  Infantry,  and  served  three  years  and  three 
months,  participating  in  some  of  the  hardest  battles  of  the  war.  At  Kingston.  N.  <»'.,  he  was  wounded  in  the  hand. 
He  came  West  in  1S64,  and  located  in  Hennepin.  In  1870  he  married  Jennie  Glass,  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
Henry,  Jennie,  Hester,  Maggie  and  Florence.  He  has  been  in  the  saloon  and  billiard  business  here  since  May, 
1879. 

L.  T.  LEECH. 

Mr.  Leech  is  proprietor  of  the  City  Hotel  of  Hennepin  and  was  lorn  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  January  19, 
1833.  He  tame  to  Putnam  county  Sept.  15th,  1849.  In  1872  he  embarked  in  the  restaurant  business  and  has  minis- 
tered to  the  public  ever  since.  In  1871  he  married  Elizabeth  A.  LHvis,  formerly  of  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  to  whom 
two  cLildren  have  been  born,  Cdarles  -E.  and  Ailliam  L.  15y  a  former  marriage  he  has  two  daughters,  Jt-nnie  and 
Kate  M.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cjnsregational  church  of  Hennepin,  Mr.  L.  keeps  a  eood  house 
in  which  he  is  abl>  assisted  bv  hit*  wife.  Mrs.  Leech  was  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Ellis,  well  remembered  among  the 
older  citizens  of  Lacon  as  a  milliner  and  dress-maker.  His  table  is  we^l  supplied  and  it  is  popular  with  the  travel- 
ing public. 

WM.  H.  LUCAS. 

Ferryman  at  Hennepin.  Mr,  Lucas  was  born  in  Davis  county,  Ind.,  in  1842,  and  located  in  Hennepin  in  1861, 
In  1862  he  enlisted  at  Chicago  in  company  D,  of  the  68th  111.  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  mustered  out  after  four 
months  service.  In  1863  he  re-enlisted  in  company  H.,  20th  III.  Volunteers  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Ou  the  22d  of  July,  1864,  he,  with  the  entire  command  to  which  he  belonged,  about  1700  in  all,  was  captured  at  Peach 


648  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Tree  Creek,  tak<>n  to  Andersonville,  thence  to  Charleston,  thence  to  Florence,  8.  C  .where  he  remained  until  paroled 
on  the  13th  of  December.  April  13th.  1865,  he  was  exchanged,  mustered  out  of  service  and  returned  to  Indiana. 
In  September,  1866,  he  married  Nancy  Lester,  also  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  have  one  child  living,  Minne  May. 
and  four  dead.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Lucas  lost  his  health  by  long  confinement  in  rebel 
prisons,  and  deserves  from  the  government  more  substantial  recognition  than  he  has  received  for  this  irreparable 
loss  sustatained  iu  defense  of  ihe  country  and  its  flag. 

P.    B.    DUKLEY. 

A  native  of  this  county,  born  in  the  village  of  Hennepinin  1839.  He  received  his  education  at  Wheaton  col- 
lege, and  during  the  last  twelve  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1866  he  married  Miss  Ada 
Unthank.  She  died  in  1876.  leaving  one  child,  Ada  Kate.  July  29th,  1862.  Mi.  Dnrlev  enlisted  in  company  E.  124th 
111.  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  as  quarter  master's  serueant  during  his  term  «>f  service— three  years,  being  mus- 
tered out  at  Chicago  at  the  close  of  the  war.  In  December,  1875,  he  received  the  appointment  of  postmaster  at 
Hennepin,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

RICHARD  BENTLEY. 

Mr.  Bentley  is  a  barber  and  hairjdresser  in  the  city  of  Hennepin,  where  he  was  born  in  1855 .  He  has  been  en- 
gaged in  business  for  himself  since  1877  In  1876  he  married  Carrie  Kessling.  a  native  of  Harrisburs,  Pa.  They 
have  two  children,  Mary  and  Delia,  Mr.  Bentleyli*  a  son  of  William  and  Cerena  Bentley,  who  came  to  Hennepin  in 
1851  He  is  an  industrious  and  enterprising  young  business  man. 

L.-  M.  G.  NOYES. 

Mr.  Noyes  is  a  painter  residing  in  itho  city  of  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  Minott,  Maine,  in  1820,  but  In  the 
same  year  his  parents  moved  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  he  resided  until  li-83.  when  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to 
attend  school.  In  1838  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  remained  there  until  1843,  and  then  located  in  Hennepin,  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  In  1845  he  married  Mary  E.  Brumfield,  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Ind.  They  have  one  child, 
Augustus  T.  For  seventeen  years  Mr.  Noyes  was  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the  western  and  southwestern  rivers. 
Mrs.  Noyes'  with  her  parents,  resided  in  Putnam  county  during  the  Indian  wars,  and  found  refuge  in  the  block 
house  at  Ottawa  during  those  troublesome  times.  Her  father  moved  to  Putnam  county  and  located  his  farm  in 
1833.  Her  mother  is  still  living. 

AUGUST  NEY  &  Co. 

Photographers.  These  gentlemen  came  to  Hennepin  and  established  their  present  business  in  1879,  coming 
from  Oalesburg  where  they  run  a  similar  business.  Mr.  Ney,  the  principal  operator,  has  very  few  equals  in  his 
profession,  being  an  artist  of  rare  merit  whose  work  readily  commends  itself.  They  possess  the  only  gallery  in 
Hennepin,  where  pictures  in  the  latest  styles  can  be  had,  and  have  received  a  liberal  patronage.  Prices  for  cabinet 
size  $5  per  dozen,  and  small  size  $2. 

JOHN  GOWDEY. 

Mr.  Gowdey  is  a  dealer  in  hoots  and  shoes  in  Hennepin.  lie  was  born  in  Orange  county,  New  York,  in  1816, 
moved  to  Newark,  New  Jersey,  in  1829,  and  to  Hennepin  in  1855.  He  followed  farming  for  about  fifteen  years, 
realizing  a  net  profit  in  that  time  of  about  $15.000  over  all  expenses.  He  then  in  1870  retired  with  a  comfortable 
income,  bnt  like  thousands  of  others  he  tried  his  luck  on  the  grain  board  in  Chicago,  and  lost  his  $15.000  in  a  short 
time,  not  through  lack  of  judgment,  but  by  the  trickery  of  the  prof  ssional  operators.  He  took  his  loss  like  a  phil- 
osopher, and  went  to  work  at  his  trade,  at  which  he  has  worked  steadily  since  1871.  He  married  Miss  M.  V.  Kussell 
in  1836.  who  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  Their  children  are  James  H.,  John  B.,  Sarah  E.,  and  Jane  A.  His  oldest 
son,  Kussell,  was  killed  in  the  late  war  in  Georgia,  after  re-euliating  as  a  veteran,  having  been  in  twenty-three  bat- 
tles. His  two  younger  sons  also  served  in  the  army,  as  well  as  Mr.  Gowdey  himself,  who  enlisted  in  the  First  Illi- 
nois Cavalry,  July  3,1861.  furnishing  his  own  horse  and  equipments.  He  was  captured  at  Lexington,  Mo.,  under 
Colonel  Mulligan,  and  was  robbed  of  all  his  clothing  except  his  underclothes,  in  which  condition  he  was  sent  to 
procure  transportation  for  the  sick  and  wounded  after  the  capture  and  parole.  He  met  an  old  negro  woman,  who 
was  very  anxious  to  find  one  of  Price's  rebel  officers,  for  whom  she  had  a  basket  of  clean  clothes.  She  asked  Mr. 
Gowdy  if  he  knew  the  officer.  He  replied,  "Oh,  of  cmree  I  do.  I  will  take  these  clothes  to  him.  How  much  do 
you  want  ''  He  paid  her  seventy-five  cents,  and  got  a  suit  of  clothes  and  a  good  supply  of  clean  linen,  worth  about 
$40,00.  He  returned  to  camp  so  dressed  up  that  his  Colonel  did  not  know  him.  He  was  discharged  at  St.  Louis  in 
1862.  Mr.  Gowdey  discovered  and  assisted  to  capture  the  burglar  Holbrook.  an  account  of  which  is  given  in  full 
in  this  work.  His  family  are  members  ot  the  M,  K.  churco,  is  a  Good  Templar,  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  infor- 
mation, and  qualified  for  a  more  prominent  position  in  the  ranks  of  humanity. 

PATRICK  DORE. 

Mr.  Dore  is  a  native  of  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Hennepin  in  1850,  having  walked  from  Chicago  to 
Peru,  and  traveled  thence  by  stage.  His  destination  was  Peoria,  but  meeting  with  a  chance  for  an  engagement 
with  John  Ware,  proprietor  of  the  hotel,  he  engaged  at  $8.00  per  mouth,  which  was  soon  after  raised  to  $10.00,  and 
finally  to  $13.00.  Though  the  wages  were  small,  he  was  economical  and  saved  his  earnings,  thereby  laying  the 
foundation  of  the  very  comfortable  independence  he  now  enjoys.  After  leaving  there  he  engaged  with  Minihan  & 


; 


WEN  ON  A,  ILL. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  651 

Simpson,  lumber  and  grain  dealers,  with  whom  he  stayed  over  four  years.  In  1868  be  began  business  in  a  small  way 
fur  himself,  first  familiarizing  himself  with  its  details  and  the  wants  of  the  public,  and  increasing  it  as  his  means 
allowed  and  the  public  demanded.  His  business  to-day  is  second  to  none  in  Putnam  county,  and  his  great  success 
is  due  to  strict  integrity,  inflexible  honesty  with  the  public,  square  dealing  and  meeting  his  obligations  promptly. 
Uiit large  store  and  warehouse  are  filled  from  cellar  to  garret  with  seasonable  goods,  one  floor  being  devoted  exclu- 
sively to  the  wholesale  and  retail  sale  of  clothing ;  the  main  floor  to  dry  goods,  groceries  and  notions,  and  the  base- 
ment to  boots  ana  shoes.  In  the  decoration  of  his  stole  Mr,  Dore  is  unexcelled,  hi.s  fine  loom  setting  off  his  rich 
goods  to  great  advantage.  His  stock  of  clothing  is  not  excelled  west  of  Chicago.  He  owns  720  acres  of  Lind  iu  lli.s 
county,  most  of  it  under  cultivation;  160  acres  in  Iowa,  and  city  property  in  Nebraska.  In  1857  he  wedded  Margaret 
llooney.  and  they  have  four  surviving  children,  John,  Thomas,  Margaret,  and  Ellen.  Mr.  Dore  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  Church,  und  he  is  a  respectable,  public  spirited  citizen. 

ANDREW  C.  NOXON. 

Mr.  Noxon  was  bom  in  New  York  City  in  1840,  and  came  w<st  when  thirteen  years  old,  making  his  home  in 
Hennepin.  By  profession  he  is  a  civil  engineer,  and  his  services  as  a  surveyor  are  often  in  demand.  He  embarked 
in  the  drug  trade  iu  1867,  and  has  built  up  a  fine  paying  business.  In  1875  be  was  elected  surveyor,  and  has  since 
rilled  the  position.  He  is  thoroughly  competent,  and  well  up  in  the  theory  and  practice  of  civil  engineering. 

SAMUEL  H.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  an  attorney  at  law  and  lumber  dealer  in  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1835,  and 
with  bis  parents  came  to  Putnam  county  the  same  year.  In  1858  he  married  Mary  J.  Schooler,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  daughter  of  Hugh  N.  Schooler, one  of  the  firat  settlers.  They  have  four  children,  Collins  D.,  Mary  L., 
Collie  8.  and  Hugh  N.  Mr.  S.  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1869,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  n  the  practice 
ot  his  profession.  Commenced  tne  lumber  business  in  1876.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

M.    SCHILZ.  « 

\  manufacturer  of  boots  and  shoes  and  dealer  in  ready-made  clothing,  in  Hennepin.  Was  born  in  Prussia, 
in  1824,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850,  and  located  in  Hennepin  in  1851.  He  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  journey- 
man until  1853,  when  he  started  in  business  for  himself.  In  1853  he  married  Agues  Waggoner,  a  native  of  Bavaria. 
They  have  four  children,  George,  Mary  E.,  Modasta  T.  and  Josepkine.  Are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

J.  G.  BELL. 

This  gentleman,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Bell  &  Son,  millers,  of  Hennepin,  was  born  in  Chester  county, 
Pa.,  in  1829.  He  located  in  this  county  in  1856,  followed  farming  one  year,  and  then  moved  to  Ottawa,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  milling  business  until  the  spring  of  18T9,  when  he  and  his  son  took  the  Union  Mill  of  Hennepin,  put 
it  in  thorough  repair,  and  are  now  successfully  running,  with  a  capacity  of  sixty  barrels  per  day.  In  1854  Mr.  Bell 
married  Mary  Henning,  a  native  of  Ireland.  They  have  six  children,  Alfred,  Ada,  George,  Anna,  Cora  and  Jane. 
Mr.  B.  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

GEO.  C.  READ. 

Mr.  Head  was  born  in  the  town  of  Strong,  in  the  State  of  Maine,  in  1838,  and  citne  to  Putnam  county  in 
1845.  By  trade  he  is  a  painter,  which  business  he  followed  up  to  1861,  when  he  threw  down  the  brush  and  took  up 
the  saber,  enlisting  in  Company  E.,  Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  detailed  as  musician,  in  which  capacity  be 
served  until  mustered  out.  Returning  to  Putuitn  c  maty,  he  married  Lizzie  Bowmtu  in  1870,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  and  has  two  children,  Bessie  and  Willie.  Mr.  Head  was  elected  Sheriff  in  1876,  and  still  holds  the  position, 
making  an  energetic  and  reliable  public  officer. 

C.  B.  GREINER. 

Mr.  Greiner  was  born  in  the  province  of  Alsace,  France,  though  his  native  place  now  is  a  component  part  of 
the  great  German  empire.  Wishing  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  he  embarked  for  this  country  in  1852, 
and  engaged  in  business  in  Hennepin  in  1856.  In  the  same  year  he  married  Sophia  Ehmler,  who  is  a  native  of 
Prussia,  and  to  them  six  children  have  been  borj,  Annie  Charles  0.,  Jennie,  Ida,  Charlotte  and  George.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order. 

ADAM  DECK. 

Mr.  Deck  is  a  watchmaker  and  jeweler,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  brought  here  by  his  parents  in  1851,  He 
was  educated  here,  and  likewise  learned  his  trade,  establishing  himself  in  business  in  1875.  Few  men  are  more 
competent  to  handle  and  repair  fine  watches  and  jewelry.  He  is  conscientious  in  busmen",  an!  personally  attends 
to  all  matters.  He  carries  a  large  stock  of  goods,  is  prompt,  energetic,  and  will  win  success  if  any  man  can. 

W.  H.  BENTLT. 

Mr.  Bently  was  born  in  Bond  county,  111.,  in  1845,  and  came  here  in  1850.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
II.  Twentieth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  end  of  the  war;  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Georgia,  and  sent  to  the  hospital.  When  he  recovered  he  rejoined  his  command  at  Kaleigh,  N.  C.;  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville  and  paid  off  at  Chicago.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Hennepin,  and  married  Jennie 


652  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

Campbell  in  1867.  She  died  in  January,  1869.  He  established  hi*  present  business  in  March,  1879.  and  has  been 
very  successful  thus  far,  proving  that  good  soldiers  usually  win  success  in  whatever  they  undertake.  It  should  te 
stated  that  Mr.  Bently  enlisted  when  but  eighteen  yean  of  age. 

E.  UNTHANK. 

Mr.  Inthank  is  a  native  of  Guilford,  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  born  in  1814.  He  oame  to  Indiana  in  1829, 
and  to  Hennepin  in  1S55-6  and  established  himself  in  business.  In  1837  he  married  Catherine  Curtis,  born  in  Ohio. 
They  have  two  children,  William  O.  and  Bartlett  B.  Both  are  members  of  the  Congregationalist  Church  of  Hen- 
nepin. He  is  a  thorough  master  of  the  trade  and  a  c ireful  workman,  milking  his  own  harness,  saddles,  etc.  His 
only  daughter  wedded  P.  B.  Durley,  postmaster  of  Hennepin.  and  died  in  1876. 

H.  B.  STOCKDALE. 

Mr.  Stockdale  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1852  and  comes  from  a  family  of  more  than  average  ability.  Bis 
father  was  a  noted  educator  and  for  several  years  presided  over  the  public  schools  of  Fern.  He  gave  his  sons  a  thor- 
ough business  education  and  throngh  them  controls  a  larger  grain  business  than  any  firm  along  the  Illinois  river, 
having  houses  at  Hennepin,  Bureau  Junction,  Peru,  and  elsewhere.  They  own  several  boats  running  upon  the 
river  and  canal  and  have  very  favorable  connections  east.  While  often  selling  in  the  Chicago  and  Peoria  markets 
their  princpal  shipments  are  to  the  seaboard  and  to  Europe  direct.  Mr.  Stockdale  was  mtrried  in  1879  to  Minnie 
I ;.  Eddy,  of  Hennepin.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

WILLIAM  H.  CASSON. 

Mr.  Oasson  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Fayette  county,  in  1C38.  Since  1848  he  ha* 
lieen  a  citizen  of  Putnam  county  where  he  obtained  his  education.  He  is  a  lawyer  by  profession,  having  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1871.  In  1862  he  married  Mary  McMahon  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  children,  Margari  t 
1 ..  and  Robert  O.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1864  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk  and  served  two  terms, 
In  1872  was  elected  State's  attorney  for  four  years  and  re-elected  in  1876.  He  is  a  lawyer  of  acknowledged  ability,  a 
good  counsellor  and  has  a  patronage  that  is  constantly  increasing. 

DR.  J.  H.  SEATON. 

A  physician  and  druggist  of  Hennepin,  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1836,  and  educated  at  the  Wabash  college. 
A  ngust  ISth,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  6th  Indiana  Cavalry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  two  years  of  which 
time  he  occupied  the  position  of  hospital  steward.  In  1866  he  married  Ardeliu  Zenor,  a  native  of  this  county, 
adopted  bennepin  as  his  permanent  location,  and  started  in  his  present  business.  They  have  four  children.  Nellie, 
Alice,  Annie  and  Ida.  Dr.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  1.  O.  O.  F.  is  superintendent  of  schools,  and  a  member  of  the 
board  of  town  trustees. 

HENRY  DECK. 

A  prosperous  merchant  of  Hennepin.  Was  born  in  Burke  county.  Pa.,  in  1838,  and  located  in  this  county  in 
1852.  He  commenced  business  for  himself  in  1867.  In  1866  he  married  Annie  Ahmler,  a  native  of  Germany.  They 
have  one  child,  Minnie  L.  Mrs.  Deck  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  carries  a  full  stock  of 
groceries  and  queensware  and  is  one  of  the  successful  business  men  of  Hennepin. 

WILLIAM  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith,  of  Smith  &  McCormick  hardware  dealers  in  Hennepin,  was  bora  at  Dumtrieshire,  Scotland,  in 
1832.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849  and  located  in  this  county  in  1868.  He  followed  the  avocation  of  a  clerk 
until  1877,  when  he  went  into  business  for  himself  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Markley  &  Smith,  which  connection 
continued  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  McCormick.  lu  1862  he  en- 
listed in  company  K.  124th  111.  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  most  of  the  time  as  a  non- 
commissioned officer.  In  1866  Mr.  Smith  married  Caroline  iVire,  a  native  of  Pennsylvlnia,  though  raised  in  Ohio, 
They  have  four  children.  Jennie  E.  (now  a  teacher  Abingdon),  Philip  A.,  Mary  B.  and  Carrie  Irene.  Mr.  S.  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  K.  church  and  Mrs.  S.  of  Congregational  church.  He  is  now  general  dealer  in  stoves,  tinware 
and  glass 

BENJAMIN  F.   WHITAKER. 

Mr.  Whitaker  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  36,  and  was  born  in  Magnolia  township  in  1830,  His  parents  are 
numbered  among  the  earliest  residents  of  old  Putnam.  In  1869  be  married  Naacy  J.  Peterson,  also  a  native  of 
Putnam.  They  have  four  children  living,  Frances  L.,  Mary  E..  Qrace  A.  and  Ruth  J.  Five  children  have  died.  Mr. 
Whitaker  served  one  term  as  assessor.  He  owns  a  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  with  good  dwelling, 
etc..  and  is  comfortably  fixed  so  far  as  this  world  goes.  His  father  —  Aaron  Whitaker,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers 
in  the  i  ounty,  ccming  in  1829,  and  serving  in  the  Black  Hawk  war. 

CAPT.  JEFF  DURLEY. 

Captain  Durley  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  December  7, 1822.  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1844, 
where  two  years  later  he  married  Eleanor  Seaton,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Her  parents  died  while  she  was  young, 
and  she  fell  to  the  care  of  an  uncle,  who  moved  to  Indiana  and  subsequently  to  Illinois.  They  have  tire  children, 
Leslie.  Rosalie.  Francis  A.,  Helena  and  Annie.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  was  in  the  far  west,  but  finding  his  ser- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  653 

vines  were  demanded  he  came  home,  shouldered  his  musket,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  139th  Illinois  volun- 
teers. He  was  choser.  captain,  and  his  command  designated  as  company  B.  The  139th  was  a  "short  time"  regi- 
ment, and  the  term  of  enlistment  hnving  expired  It  was  mustered  out.  Captain  Durley  next  organized  company  I 
of  the  47th  regiment  and  was  elected  its  captain.  With  this  command  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  doing 
good  service.  They  were  mustered  out  at  Demopolis,  \labama.  In  1(676  he  was  chosen  circuit  clerk,  which  he  still 
retains.  Mr  Durley  is  oue  nf  the  solid  men  of  the  township,  and  is  withal  genial,  obliging  and  popular. 

JAMES  N.  DURLEY. 

Mr.  Durle)  belongs  to  H  family  prominent  in  the  history  of  Putnam  county  for  enterprise  and  patriotism.  He 
WHS  bnrn  in  1837  and  in  1864  t  nlisted  in  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  volunteer  infantry,  was  captured  at  Gay's  Land- 
ing on  the  Alabama  River,  and  was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  His  present  business  was  established  in 
1863.  In  1871  he  married  Lucy  Eddy,  of  Vermont,  and  they  have  one  child,  Mabel,  born  in  1875.  In  business  he  is 
bo»h  energetic  and  conservative,  pushing  his  enterprise,  but  keeping  it  well  under  control.  Such  men  rarely  fail. 

A.  H.  TURNER. 

.Mr.  Turner  is  a  farmer  and  mechanic  of  Hennepin.  Was  born  in  Oxford  county,  Maine,  January  9, 1810.  He 
went  to  Aroostook  county  in  1831  where  be  bad  charge  of  the  farm  department  and  issuance  of  all  supplies  for  the 
contractor  of  the  military  road  in  that  county,  which  position  he  held  three  years,  when  he  refignedand  came 
west.  He  located  in  Putnum  county  in  1845,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Ann  Law  in  Sept.,  1837.  She 
WHS  H  rm'ive  of  Frederick,  New  Brunswick.  She  died  in  1847  lenving  five  children.  Hamblin.  Laura  Mary  Salome, 
and  beuail.  He  married  Elizabeth  Nash,  his  present  wife,  on  August  28th,  1848.  She  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  ¥. 
The  fr.iits  of  this  marriage  are  Daniel  B.,  Cornelia,  Henry,  Frank,  Lizzie  and  Warfield.  They  are  members  of  the 
PreshjteriHn  church.  He  wan  coroner  one  term,  overseer  of  the  poor  two  terms  and  school  director  some  24  years. 
He  is  a  natural  mechanic  having  studied  out  nearly  all  the  mechanical  arts  and  is  proficient  in  many. 


654  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


MAGNOLIA  TOWNSHIP. 


JUDGE  JOHN  W.  LAUGIILIN. 

A  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Mount  Palatine.  He  was  horn  in  Bond  county.  III.,  in  1820,  moved  t<>  this  county 
with  his  parents  when  only  ten  years  of  age, and  in  1845  married  Mis«  June  W.  Reid,  who  mjoved  with  her  parents 
to  Brown  county,  111.,  when  a  child.  With  the  exception  ot  about  three  years'  residence  in  Versailles  they  have 
lived  in  this  coui-ty  since  their  marriage  and  in  Alouot  Palatine  twenty-four  yearx.  They  have  four  children 
living,— Henry  K.,  Fannie  C.,  Mary  E.  and  Ebert  H.  Tney  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  L. 
has  been  justice  of  the  peace  about  twelve  years.  He  has  220  acres  of  land  in  his  home  farm,  and  also  a  farm  of 
160  acres  in  Lt  Salic  county. 

GEORGE  GALL. 

Mr.  Gall  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  6.  Magnolia  township.  He  was  born  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  in  Ib22, 
and  located  in  Putnam  county  in  1867.  In  1847  he  married  Mary  Ward,  who  was  born  in  the  same  state.  They 
have  six  children,  Thomas  K.,  Anna  13.,  William  McLelland,  Mary  M.,  Andrew,  and  Jessie.  Mr.  G.  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  owns  seventy-nine  acres  of  land,  mostly  under  good  cultivation. 

T.  F.  LASH. 

Mr.  Lash  is  a  merchant,  living  in  Magnolia.  He  was  born  in  Balmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1846,  and  located  in 
Magnolia  in  1865.  He  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  since  1876.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  0.  Wabel  in 
1873.  Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Retail  Jewelers  Association  of  Illinois. 
He  enlisttd  in  the  170th  Ohio  Volunteers  in  May,  1864,  and  was  discharged  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  He  came 
to  Magnolia  with  lesn  than  $10.00,  and  has  now  a  general  stock  of  goods  worth  about  $2  000,  besides  160  ocres  of 
land  in  Nebraska  and  480  acres  in  Missouri,  also  his  store.  He  owns  it  residence,  and  another  house  and  lot  in  Mag- 
nolia, and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  B->ard  for  two  years. 

ELZY  DOWNEY. 

Mr.  Downey  is  a  farmer,  living  in  Magnolia  township.  He  was  born  in  Greenbrier  county,  Va.,  in  1810,  and 
moved  to  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1814,  thence  to  LaSalle  county,  near  Ottawa,  in  1832,  locating  in  Putnam  county 
in  1838  He  married  Mrs.  Nancy  Johnson  in  1838,  who  was  born  in  Rops  countv,  Ohio,  in  1814.  Mr.  D.  has  one  child 
by  a  former  marriage,  Robert;  and  Mrs.  Downey  one  by  a  former  marriage,  Sarah  J.,  ( Howman).  They  are  mem- 
bers ot  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  D.  is  a  man  of  diversified  ability;  is  engaged  in  butchering  part  of  the  time, 
and  has  also  run  a  cider  mill  for  several  years  past;  and  was  constable  for  two  terms. 

J.  H.  TAGGART. 

Mr.  Tagtart  is  a  farmer,  living  in  Marshall  county,  near  Magnolia.  He  was  born  in  Belmont  county.  Ohio,  in 
1840,  and  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1863.  He  married  Miss  Josephine  Murdough  the  same  year,  who  is  a  native 
of  Mount  Pleasant,  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  lady  of  refinement  ami  good  education.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren, Lewella  H  ,  Maud  R.,  Harry  M.,  and  Fred  8.  Mr.  Taggart  is  extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising,  is  an  ener- 
getic business  man,  a  deep  reader,  and  well  posted  on  the  general  topics  of  the  day. 

MRS.  ELIZABETH  HILTABRAND. 

This  lady,  widow  of  George  Hiltabrand.  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Putnam  county,  was  born  in  Caswell  county, 
N.  C.,  in  1801.  She  was  married  in  1824.  and  in  1829  moved  with  her  husband  to  the  then  almost  unbroken  prairie 
of  this  section.  They  located  a  claim  on  section  20.  upon  which  Mrs.  H.  still  resides  Mr.  rliltabrand  died 
October  20, 1870,  leaving  ten  children,  viz.:  Jerusha  Simeon  C.,  Henry  H..  Eiiward  C.,  Josephus.  Gforge  W..  Emily 
E.,  Benjamin  F.,  Ella  .J.  and  Melissa  A.  Mrs.  H.  has  been  a  member  of  the  old  school  Baptist  church  since  she  was 
fourteen  years  of  age.  Her  homestead  farm  comprises  340  acres  ol  land.  Her  post  office  address  in  Caledonia. 

WILLIAM  HAWKS.  / 

Mr.  Hawes  has  the  honor  of  being  the  earliest  living  resident  of  the  two  counties.  He  was  born  Si'pt.  23. 1800, 
in  Orange  county,  Va.,  and  with  his  parents  moved  to  Warren  county,  Ohio  in  1805,  two  years  later  to  Clinton 
county  and  thence  to  ^angamon.  III.,  where  he  followed  driving  team  until  1826,  when  he  visited  the  lead  minus  at 
Galena,  passing  on  horseback  through  Putnam  Co., and  selecting  the  place  he  afterward  made  his  home.  The  next 
year  he  returned,  built  a  cabin  and  broke  a  piece  of  land  and  put  in  a  crop  of  corn.  James  D.  Willis  was  the  next 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  655 

man  to  locate  in  the  neighborhood  nnd  Lewis  Bailey  the  third.  When  thfl  Indians  discovered  Hawes'  presence  they 
wiirned  him  to  leave,  making  dire  threats  of  what  the  consequences  would  be  in  case  he  did  not,  but  he  refused  to 
desert  his  property  and  was  not  molested.  In  1823  he  married  Lucinda  Southwick.  a  native  of  New  York,  who  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  in  1816.  She  died  July  4th,  1867.  In  1868  he  married  Mrs,  Louisa  Moffitt  and  to  them  were  born, 
viz:  Andrew,  Lillian,  Mary  Clifford  and  Joel.  When  the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out  he  was  chosen  captain  of  a  com- 
pany oi  rangers  who  did  scout  duty  but  saw  no  real  fighting.  He  bus  led  a  long  and  active  life  and  at  the  aae  of 
eighty  is  smart  and  aetive  like  a  man  of  forty.  In  bia  younger  years  he  was  a  great  traveler,  having  dug  lead  in 
Galena,  gold  in  California,  and  silver  in  Mexico.  He  owns  nearly  two  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Putnam  and  Mar- 
shall counties  and  a  half  section  in  Minnesota,  most  ol  it  under  cultivation  I  he  father  of  Mrs.  H.  came  to  Putnam 
couuty  in  1848.  She  married  Mr.  Moffit  in  1861  and  he  died  the  following  year  from  wounds  received  in  the  army. 

TOWNSEKD  G.  FYFFK. 

This  gentleman,  formerly  a  resident  of  this  county,  now  deceased,  was  born  in  Ma-cm  county,  Kentucky,  in 
1800*  He  located  in  Putnam  county  in  1829.  He  tilled  the  positions  of  county  commissioner  and  supervisor  several 
terms  and  was  also  elected  to  other  important  local  offices.  Jn  1832  he  married  Zella  Roy le,  also  a  native  of  K"n- 
tucky.  They  bad  nine  children,  sevtn  of  whom  are  living.— .1.  I)',  ira.  Mary  B.,  Franklin.  Martha,  Emma  and 
Helen.  Mrs.  Fyffe  is  still  living.  J.  D.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

JOEL    HA  WES. 

Joel  Hawes  is  a  farmer  residing  on  section  22.  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Putnam  county.  He  was  born 
in  Madison  county,  Va..  Anenst  15. 17%,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Clinton  county.  III.,  in  1835,  and  thence  to 
Putnam  county  in  1838.  In  1824  he  married  Elizabeth  Gibson,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Their  children  are  Mary  A.. 
Thomas  Elizabeth  (deceased),  William,  John.  Sarah.  Eunice,  George  and  Asa.  Mrs.  II awes  died  in  January,  1874. 
He  owns  193  acres  of  land  part  of  which  he  entered  in  1835.  A  portion  of  this  is  located  in  Kobtrts  Tp.,  Marshall 
county,  in  section  3,  range  1.  west  of  the  third  principal  meridian.  In  1861  he  marrii  d  Mrs.  Maud  Gustav  Otto, 
by  whom  he  has  five  children,  James,  Helen,  William,  Maud  and  Grace, 

HENRY  C.  MORRIS. 

Mr.  Morris  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  6,  Magnolia  township.  He  was  born  in  Union  Town,  Fayette 
connty,  Pennsylvania,  in  1817.  and  came  t,»  Putnam  in  1845.  In  181U  ne  married  Elizabeth  McLaughlin,  born  in 
West  Newton,  Wes:morelaud  county,  Pa.,  and  to  them  hive  biea  given  two  children,  Hervy  B.  and  Fannie  L. ;  are 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  firm  friend  to  education,  and  has  served  as  director  for 
thirty  years;  was  also  supervisor  of  his  township,  road  director,  etc.  He  has  a  well  cultivated  farm  of  167  acres, 
and  36  acres  of  timber,  gooddwe'ling  and  pleasant  surio undines. 

S.   C.   MORKELL. 

Mr.  Morrell,  merchant,  was  born  in  Caledonia  county,  Vt.,  in  1828,  and  located  in  Hennepin  in  the  fall  of 
1837;  came  to  Magnolia  in  184),  and  engiged  in  the  mercintile  business  in  185T.  He  married  Mary  Baker  in  1854, 
who  was  born  in  Vermont.  They  have  three  children  living,  Ella  L.,  Mary  F.  and  Josephine.  Mr.  Morrill  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E  church.  He  was  township  collector  in  18G4-5.  He  carries  a  full  stock  of  goods  suitable  to  bis 
trade. 

GEORGE  S.  PARK. 

Mr.  Park  is  a  farmer,  whose  homestead  is  on  section  25  and  26,  and  was  born  in  Windham  county.  Vermont. 
October  28, 1811.  He  came  west  in  1832  on  a  tour  of  investigation.  He  visited  Missouri  and  Illinois  and  selected  for 
his  future  home  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  now  resides.  He  taught  school  in  Sangamon  county  for  a  while  and 
returned  to  Vermont  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  His  father  soon  after  came  west  and  located  near  Pekin,  while 
the  son  preferred  his  first  selected  location,  in  what  is  now  Magnolia  township.  He  purchased  a  claim  of  160  acres 
from  Cornelius  Hunt  for  $300  which  is  part  of  his  present  homestead.  H*^  and  his  father  then  entered  HOi)  acres 
more  in  th?  same  neighborhood.  He  attended  the  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville  two  years,  where  he  was  a  cli.ss 
mate  of  the  late  governor  of  Illinois  —  Richard  Yates.  Being  obliged  to  leave  college  in  consequence  of  poor 
health,  he  went  to  Texas  in  1835,  and  while  there  the  war  for  independence  began,  FO  young  Park 
volunteered  in  the  army  of  General  Houston.  By  treachery  on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans  his  division  of  250  men 
were  obliged  to  capitulate  to  the  army  of  Santa  Anna,  and  were  disarmed.  The  prisoners  were  to  have  been  em- 
barked on  a  ship  for  Galveston.  but  while  on  the  march  to  the  vessel  they  discovered  preparations  for  their 
slaughter  by  their  captors.  Young  Park  suggested  an  attack  on  their  guards,  but  before  he  could  get  any  con- 
certed action  of  his  men.  the  guard  drew  up  and  tired  on  the  disarmed  prisoners.  He  saw  their  move- 
ments, and  fell  upon  his  face,  the  murderous  volley  passing  over  him.  The  next  instant  he  was  on  his 
feet  and  flying  for  the  river.  It  was  a  race  for  life;  the  treacherous  guards  loaded  and  nr-d  again  and  again,  tho 
bullets  flying  thick  and  fast,  but  fortunately  never  hit  him.  When  he  thought  himself  safe  and  on  the  verge  of 
freedom,  he  found  himself  confronted  by  a  line  uf  sentries  along  the  river  bank,  but  did  not  stop,  and  when  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  river  two  Mexicans  crossed  muskets  in  front  of  him.  He  then  turned  to  one  side  and  made  for  a 
single  sentry,  whose  gun  he  turned  aside  and  jumped  into  the  river,  bullets  flying  round  him.  He 
floated  down  some  distance  until  be  got  under  the  bank,  when  he  rested  and  recovered  breath,  lie  then 
ran  along  the  shore  under  the  protection  of  the  frienrily  bank  until  he  got  out  of  range,  when  he  again  t<»ok  to  the 
river  and  swam  to  the  other  side.  He  saw  three  of  his  comrades  running  for  life  the  same  course  he  had  come,  closely 


656  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

pursued  by  the  Mexicans.  He  started  acrosss  the  prairie  in  the  direction  of  Gen.  Houston's  armv,  which  was  about 
seventy  miles  distant.  He  was  soon  intercepted  by  mounted  scouts  sent  ont  to  capture  such  as  might  have  escaped, 
but  being  on  the  alert  he  saw  them  and  hid  himself  in  a  hole  concealed  by  long  buffalo  grass  s  >  the  horsemen  could 
not  ride  over  him.  They  came  close  to  him  several  times  but  give  up  the  hunt  at  night,  when  he  started  for  his 
headquarters,  which  he  reached  safely.  Texas  gain'  d  her  independence,  the  Houston  troops  soon  disbanded,  and 
youne  Park  returned  north,  or  rather  to  Missouri,  where  he  located  land.  He  married  Miss  Mary  L  Holmes,  July 
12,  1P56.  She  was  born  «nd  educated  in  New  York  city.  They  have  one  child,  a  very  accomplished  young  lady.  Miss 
Ella,  who  was  born  in  Missouri  1857.  Mr.  Park  located  about  ten  miles  above  Kansas  City,  in  Missouri,  and  WHS  the 
founder  of  Parkville.  Platte  county.  Mo.  He  has  donated  a  large  tract  of  land  and  a  suitable  building,  worth  $35,- 
(XX).  for  the  purpose  of  a  college,  in  which  youne  people  of  both  sexes  can  receive  a  practical  education— boys  in 
the  art  of  husbandry,  and  girls  in  the  dntirs  of  perfect  housekeepers,  in  addition  to  other  necessary  branches  of 
education.  Mr.  Park  has  alwsys  been  a  consistent  Republican,  though  not.  an  Abolitionist.  He  maintained,  while 
editor  and  proprietor  of  his  uaper,  that  the  people  of  Kansas  had  the  right  to  fay  whether  they  would  have  a  free  or 
slave  state:  and  for  boldly  and  fearlessly  advocating  those  principles,  he  was  mobbed,  his  press  thrown  in  the  river 
and  his  life  threatened.  In  fact,  he  had  to  barricade  himself  in  his  bouse,  determined  to  defend  himself  to  the 
last  against  any  odds  rather  than  be  driven  from  his  home,  having  been  guilty  of  no  crime-  He  provided  himself 
with  firearms  and  laid  in  a  good  store  of  ammunition,  with  a  keg  of  powder  ready  to  blow  up  the  building  bad  the 
mob  of  border  ruffians  succeeded  in  breflkinq  in.  determined  to  die  in  the  ruins  rather  than  ahandon  his  home. 
When  thay  could  not  persuade  him  bv  threats  or  otherwise  to  leave,  they  told  h.s  yonne  wife  that  as  they  had 
passed  resolntions  in  their  "Blue  Lodges"  that  he  must  leive  on  account  of  his  Republican  principles,  they  would 
be  ruined  if  they  did  not  carry  out  the  resolution,  and  if  he  would  promise  to  leave  In  two,  three  or  six  weeks,  all 
would  be  satisfactory ;  but  if  not,  that  blood  wou'd  surely  be  shed,  as  there  were  several  hundred  men  waiting  only 
for  the  signal  to  attack  him.  The  reply  of  his  brave  young  wife  was  that  Mr.  Park  and  she  were  going  to  Texas  in 
the  winter,  but  she  was  not  in  the  habit  of  letting  strangers  and  enemies  set  the  day  she  shonld  go;  that  she  would 
go  with  Mr.  Park,  and  that  he  would  go  when  he  was  ready.  This  was  the  end.  Be  afterwards  sued  the  ringleaders 
of  the  mob  who  destroyed  his  press  and  type,  and  they  settled  with  him  satisfactorily.  He  held  his  ground,  show- 
ing the  grit  of  a  Napaleon,  and  was  afterwards  elected  to  the  Senate.  He  moved  to  Magnolia  in  1873,  where  he  has 
the  finest  residence  in  the  county,  with  480  Acres  in  his  home  farm:  also  2,000  acres  in  LaSalle  and  other  counties  in 
this  State,  and  large  tracts  in  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Texas. 

LEWIS  I.  BECK. 

Mr.  Beck  is  a  farmer  on  section  15  his  post-office  being  Clear  Creek.  He  was  born  in  Mnskingum  county 
Ohio  in  1818,  and  located  in  this  conuty  in  April,  1831.  Nov.  18,  1841,  he  married  Cynthia  A.  Winters  who  was  rx  rn 
in  Miami  county,  Ohio.  They  have  seven  children  living,  Harrison  W.,  Lewis  M.,  Stella  A..  Mary  I.,  Lenora,  Harry 
E.  and  William  E.  Harrison  W.  served  three  years  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion  iu  the  124th  111.  Volunteers  and 
afterwards  located  in  Butler  county,  Kansas,  serving  one  term  in  the  legislature  from  that  county.  Mr.  Beck  owns 
140  acres  of  land  in  his  homestead  farm. 

J.  A.  ELLIS. 

Mr.  Ellis  is  a  farmer,  residing  in  Magnolia  township.  He  first  gazed  npon  the  wonders  of  this  world  in  Green 
county.  Ohio,  in  1842.  He  located  in  this  county  in  1854.  He  marrried  Miss  Ura  Hardesty  in  1848.  She  is  a  native 
of  Brown  county,  Ohio.  They  have  eight  children  living,  Nancy,  Cornelia.  Elma.  Newton,  Robert.  Hattie.  Sadie 
and  Irene.  They  have  thr<;e  children  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

JOHN  VAN  HORN. 

Mr.  Van  Horn  is  a  fnrmer.  residine  on  sections  35  and  36.  He  was  born  in  Butler  connty,  Ohio,  in  1808,  and 
located  in  Putram  county  in  the  fall  of  1841.  He  married  Mary  Bibbs  in  1832  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania. 
They  have  eight  children  living.  Isaac,  Sarah  J.,  Samantha,  Samuel.  Joseph,  Miry  A..  Julia  and  Cynthia.  He  was 
t-chool  trust* e  severiil  terms,  and  was  an  able  and  efficient  officer.  He  owns  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land 
all  improved  except  eighty  acres  of  timber.  He  is  a  thrifty  farmer  and  has  a  very  beautiful  residence,  immediately 
adjoining  the  village  of  Magnolia,  and  is  considered  a  first  class  farmer. 

EPHRAIM  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  isa  farmer  living  on  section  33,  Magnolia  township.  He  was  born  ia  North  Carolina  in  1805.  His 
parents  came  to  Sanyamoa  county  in  1815.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1830,  and  located  on  his  present  farm  in  1831. 
He  married  Unmet  Thurman  in  1840,  wljo  was  born  in  New  York  Stut*-.  She  died  July  19,  1858,  leaving  six 
children,  Irvin  O  ,  Ellen  A.,  Franklin,  I, -turn  M.,  Harriet  M.  and  James  C.  In  March,  1859,  he  married  Mrs. 
Jemima  Kays  (Heed)  bv  whom  he  has  two  children,  Katie  K.  and  Eva  M.  He  has  been  school  director  several 
tim<  s  owns  320  acres  of  land  in  Putnim  cou-ity,  and  alio  320  ia  Clurk  county,  Iowa. 

ANDREW  B.  GURNEA. 

Mr.  Gurnea  was  born  in  Mayfield,  Montgomery  county,  New  York,  March  15th  1815.  and  moved  to  Michigan 
where  in  1841  he  married  Cornelia  Wallace,  who  was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.  They  have  four  children,  Mar- 
garet A.,  (Mrs.  Stainbrook)  Nancy  J,,  James  C.  and  Harriet  E.  Mr.  Gurnea  comes  from  Qnaker  ancestors,  and  i» 
perhaps  indebted  to  them  for  a  certain  sturdy  honesty,  born  of  a  desire  to  observe  so  far  as  man 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  657 

can  the  golden  rule  of  doing  unto  others  «s  we  would  they  should  do  unto  us.  At  a  time  when  abolitionists  were 
looked  upon  as  little  better  than  horse  thieves  he  voted  for  Janus  Q.  Birney  for  president,  and  rightly  regards  it 
:ist he  noblest  a3t  of  his  life.  The  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  the  community  is  shown  in  the  official  trnsts  con- 
fided to  his  care.  In  1869  be  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  has  held  it  ever  since.  He  has  been  a  rotary 
public  16  yeais,  township  clerk  10  years  and  assistant  postmaster  18  years.  He  has  been  agent  of  the  Hartford  fire 
insurance  company  13  years  and  in  all  these  positions  acquitted  himself  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  parties  in- 
cluding his  own  conscience. 

H.  V.  MILLS. 

Mr.  Mills  was  born  in  Magnolia  township  March  21st,  1849,  and  received  his  education  at  the  State  Normal 
school  and  Lincoln  University.  His  father,  Capt.  Ely  K.  Mills,  was  a  well  known  steamboat  captain  who  along 
with  Gapt.  Price,  owned  the  boats  he  run  and  died  many  years  ago.  Mr.  Mills  chose  farming  for  a  profession  and 
in  1877  married  Hester  Badgley,  of  Auglatze  couuty,  Ohio.  He  owns  a  very  nice  farm  of  220  acres  under  cultivation 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 

CAMPBELL  SHIELDS. 

Mr.  Shields  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1833,  was  raised 
and  educated  on  a  farm,  and  thrnn  »h  hisowa  exertions  Irn  made  himself  wealthy  and  the  owner  of  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  Putnam  county.  In  1852  he  married  Jane  Harris,  born  in  Schuyler  county,  who  became  the  mother 
of  eight  children.  Laura  £.,  Franklin  P. , Clara  A ..  Jennette  E.,  Bernard  M..  Sarah  !•'..,  James  W.  and  Araminta  B. 
Mrs.  8.  died  April  16,  1876.  In  1878  he  married  Kebbeca  P.  Smith  to  whom  one  child  has  been  given.  Harry  C.  Mr. 
Shields  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  among  his  friends  liberal,  hospitable  and  social.  He  has  served  his 
township  ax  supervisor,  assessor  etc..  besides  tilling  several  minor  offices.  He  owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  386 
acres. 

EDWARD  PHILLIPS. 

A  farmer  residing  in  section  34,  his  post-office  being  Magnolia.  He  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  in  1834, 
and  located  in  this  county  in  1842  with  bis  Uncle  George.  October  8, 1S57  he  martied  Mary  Jane  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  Schnyler  county.  111.,  in  1838.  They  have  eight  children.  John  H.,  Elizabeth  J.,  Clara  A.,  'ary  E..  Charles 
E  ,  Martha  A.,  George  T.,  and  Mand.  Mr.  Phillips  owns  and  operates  a  water-power  saw  and  grist  mill,  with  ample 
facilities  tor  doing  the  custom  work  of  the  surrounding  country,  and  can  manufacture  any  description  of  lumber 
required  fur  ordinary  purposes.  He  owns  240  acres  of  improved  la.nd. 

JOHN  H.  PHILLIPS. 

Residence,  section  34.    Postoffice,  Magnolia. 

WILLIAM  A.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  farmer  born  in  Grant  county.  Indiana,  in  1829.  and  settled  on  Oxbow  prairie  in  1851,  His  wife 
who  died  in  1872,  WHS  Margaret  Trone  whom  he  wedded  in  1860  and  who  bore  '  im  three  children,  Alvah  H.,  Willie 
D.  and  Maggie  P.  In  1876  he  was  married  to  Mrs  Annie  Williams,  by  whom  he  has  one  child.  Bertha  E.  He  owns 
60  acres  of  land  and  cultivates  136  acres  besides. 

CALVIN  SHIEIDS. 

Mr.  Calvin  >hields  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  26,  of  Magnolia  township.  He  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  having 
been  born  in  Morgan  county  in  1829,  but  removed  herewith  his  parents  in  1833.  In  1844  he  married  Rachel  Ger- 
man, born  in  Ohio.  They  have  eight  children  living  named  as  follows;  Ann,  Ellen,  John,  Douglas.  Marshal.  Rachel 
Henry  and  Robert.  He  has  b.'en  supervisor  two  terms  and  held  other  minor  offices.  His  homestead  embraces  425 
acres  and  he  owns  1000  acres  elsewhere  in  this  state.  He  is  energetic,  pushing  and  clear  headed. 

MRS.  RAHEL  KAYS. 

Mrs.  Kays  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Kays  who  died  in  February,  1877.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1820,  and 
came  to  Indiana  with  her  parents  when  four  years  old.  Mr.  Kayes  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  the 
county  and  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death  887  acres  of  land.  They  had  six  children  living.— Jane  (Mrs.  Bobbit) 
Marcus  V..  Columbus,  John  A.,  Emery,  Clara  E.,  and  three  are  dead.  Mr.  Kays  was  supervisor  of  his  township  two 
terms  and  was  a  man  of  more  than  usual  ability.  Before  his  death  he  gave  each  of  his  children  80  acres  of  land. 
His  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

AMOS  WILSON. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  lives  on  section  23,  and  was  born  in  Chester  connty.Pa..  in  I794,and  is  now  eighty-six 
years  old.  In  1824  he  settled  in  New  Castle,  Delaware,  and  in  the  fall  of  1826  moved  to  Belmont  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1851.  when  he  located  in  I'atnum  countv,  Illinois.  He  was  married  to  Hannah 
Brown,  born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  in  1818.  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  Joshua  R.  Margaret.  David,  Thomas 
and  Hannah.  Mrs. W.  died  in  1826.  In  1828  he  wedded  Anna  Morris,  of  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  who  brought 
him  nine  children,  Robecca,  Elizabeth,  Morris  A.,  Mary,  Amos  B.,  Olive,  and  three  who  have  gone  to  another 


058  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

world.  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Hi*  home  farm  embraces  440  acres,  and  be- 
sides he  owns  320  acres  in  La  Salle  connty,  and  the  same  in  Saline  county,  Kansas.  With  a  single  exception  he  is 
the  oldest  citizen  in  tbe  two  counties.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  self  made  man,  and  owes  his  success  to  his  own  exertions, 
through  the  aid  of  the  Great  Master  above. 

OLIVER  SMITH. 

•  Mr.  Smith  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  15.  who  was  horn  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  in  1841  and  came  West 
with  Lia  parents  the  succeeding  year.  In  1878  ne  married  Huldah  11,  Mills,  a  native  of  this  county.  They  have  one 
child,  William  Eddy.  Mrs.  8  is  s  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Smith  owns  tif  iv-nine  acres  of  improved 
land  in  this  county,  in  addition  to  which  he  cultivates  a  rented  farm.  He  also  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  Kansas. 

MRS.  LYDIA  GRIFFITH. 

This  lady,  widow  of  the  late  George  Griffit'',  was  born  in  Adams  county.  Pa.,  in  1816.  In  1842  she  came  with 
her  parents,  Samuel  and  Susannah  Comley.  to  this  county,  and  the  succeeding  year  was  married  to  Mr.  Griffith, 
wh<i  died  in  1867,  leaving  three  children,— Hiram,  Frank  and  Isabel— aud  three  by  a  former  marriage— Isaac,  Mar- 
tha J.  and  8  irab.  Mr.  G.  located  in  this  county  in  1836.  Mrs.  Griffith  owns  one  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land, 
with  very  fine  improvements.  Herself  and  family  are  members  of  tbe  Society  of  Friends. 

AHNER  BOYLE. 

Mr.  Boyle  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  22.  His  Post  Office  is  at  Clear  Creek;  was  born  in  Bedford  county, 
Va.,  in  1808.  He  moved  to  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  with  his  parents  in  181U,  and  to  Todd  county  in  1815.  He 
moved  to  Putnam  county,  111.,  m  182U,  and  located  in  Magnolia.  He  married  Matilda  Wilson  in  1831  who  was 
born  iu  Kentucky.  They  have  live  children,  W  lliam  A.  Caroline  (Griffith),  Edwird  H.,  A.  T.  and  Virginia.  Be 
was  the  first  postmaster  in  Putnam  county,  which  was  located  a t  Magnolia.  He  bus  served  as  assessor  and  super- 
visor. He  owns  his  home  farm  190  acres  of  improved  land,  60  acres  of  timber,  and  600  acres  in  L  i  S.ille  county. 

THOMAS  FLOWERS. 

Mr.  Flowers  is  a  farmer  in  Magnolia  township,  whose  post  office  is  at  Clear  Creek.  He  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton county.  Pet.,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1844,  disembarking  ac  Hall's  Landing.  He  married  Phebe  Hartley 
in  1842.  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  bad  three  children,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Price),  Martha.  Emma 
(Price).  Mrs.  Flowers  died  in  1850,  and  he  was  married  the  second  time,  in  1852,  to  Phebe  Conly,  who  was  born  in 
adamp  county.  Pa.,  in  1815.  Both  are  members  of  tbe  Society  of  Friendc.  Previous  to  settling  here  Mr.  Flowers 
lived  nt'teen  years  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  was  school  director  and  held  other  offices. 

WALTER  TRONE. 

Mr.  Trone  lives  on  Oxbow  Prairie,  where  he  settled  in  1854.  He  was  born  in  York  connty.  Pa..  July  19, 1831, 
and  in  1861  married  Malvina  Ilnber,  a  native  of  Trumbull  connty,  Ohio.  They  have  five  children,  and  two  adopted. 
The  names  of  the  five  are  Charles  W.,  John  L.,  Sarah  A.,  Grant  O.,  and  William  H.;  their  adopted  children  are 
Mary  J.  Quinn,  and  Mary  E.  Moore.  All  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Trone  own-*  240  acred  of  well  im- 
proved land,  and  deserves  the  blessings  the  Father  of  All  has  given  him. 

CARVER  TOMLINSON. 

Mr.  Tomlinnon  is  an  old  citizen  of  Putnam  county,  coming  here  in  1852.  He  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in 
1816,  and  when  three  years  old  accompanied  his  parents  to  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  where  he  obtained  his  education 
and  in  turn  became  a  teacher  In  1844  he  moved  to  Washington  county,  Pa.,  where  he  married  Mary  A.  John,  a 
native  of  that  county.  To  them  six  children  have  been  given  now  living,  viz..  Josephine,  Mary,  Josiah,  Isaac, 
Alice  E.  and  Willis,  tie  has  served  as  school  treasurer  twelve  years,  was  a  teacher  many  years,  and  always  took  a 
a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters.  He  is  well  informed  in  the  political  and  religious  literature  of  the  day, 
does  his  own  thinking,  and  stands  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  community.  He  owns  228  acres  of  land  in  Mag- 
nolia township. 

ELIZA  W.  SMITH. 

This  lady,  widow  of  Mr.  Jesse  Smith,  resides  on  her  farm  in  Section  13,  her  postoffice  being  Clear  Creek.  She 
was  born  in  Adams  county.  Pa.,  in  1809,  came  west  with  her  mother  and  brother  in  1837,  locating  in  Putnam  county, 
and  in  1845  was  married  to  Mr.  Smith.  In  1869  her  husband  died,  leaving  two  children  by  a  former  marriage, 
Henry  R.  and  Oliver,  aud  three  deceased.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  is  a  pleasant,  matronly 
old  lady,  young  looking  and  active  for  one  of  her  age  She  owns  one  hundred  acres  of  well  improved  land. 

WILLIAM  WHEELER  HOLMES. 

Mr.  Holmes  was  born  in  Herkimer  connty.  New  York,  in  1805,  but  spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  New  York  city 
While  here  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  enterprises  that  took  him  over  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  enabled  him  to 
make  the  acqaintance  of  most  of  the  leading  men.  He  has  a  vast  store  of  information,  and  is  an  entertaining  and 
instructive  talker.  In  1853  he  came  to  Magnolia,  and  his  pleasant  residence,  one  mile  west  of  town,  has  since  been 
his  home.  In  1829  he  wedded  Julia  P.  Vivoort,  who  died  in  1848,  leaving  him  eight  children,  viz.,  Mary  L.,  William 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  659 

B.,  PerceliaV.,  Vernon,  Julia  R.,  Lawson  C.t  Geo.  N.  and  Grace.  In  1867  Mr.  Holmes  wedded  Mrs,  Mary  Murphy  by 
which  marriage  be  baa  four  children, Charlotte,  Maraaret,  Emma  and  Oliver.  Mrs.  Holmes  bad  one  son,  John  Murphy, 
by  a  former  marriage.  One  of  Mr.  Holmes'  sons  leained  the  printing  business  with  the  late  William  Trench,  and 
a'l  of  bis  children  have  shown  marked  ability  in  their  various  avocations. 

JOSHUA  POLING. 

A  farmer  residing  on  section  34.  His  postoffice  address  is  Magnolia.  Mr,  Poling  was  born  in  Fairtield  county. 
Ohio,  in  1828,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1854.  In  the  year  1856  be  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Hunt,  a  native  of 
Putnam  county,  who  was  born  in  1831.  They  have  five  children.  John  W.,  Phillip,  Olara  Bell,  Mary  E.  and 
Willis.  Mr.  Poling's  homestead  consists  of  seventy  acres  of  Ian-',  all  improved.  George  Hollenback.  Mrs.  Poling's 
uncle,  lived  in  Kendall  county  at  the  beginning  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  with  others  was  warned  off  by  Shab- 
txma.  but  did  not  leave  until  the  enemy  appeared.  He  hid  his  money  in  the  ground  outside  his  cabin  when  he  left, 
but  after  going  a  short  distance  returned  for  it,  when  the  Indians  discoverd  and  pursued  him.  He  escaped  by 
taking  to  the  swamp,  spent  one  night  in  a  tree  top,  and  finally  secured  safety  and  shelter  under  the  roof  of  a  friend. 
He  soon  returned  and  found  his  house  in  ashes  but  his  monev  was  all  right  where  he  had  hidden  it. 

DR.  LARNED  DAVIS. 

Thip  gentleman,  postmaster  at  Palatine  and  a  merchant,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  in  1811,  and 
located  in  this  county  in  1841.  Sept.  5th,  1833,  he  married  Mary  Parmenter  who  was  also  born  in  Massachusetts,  in 
1814.  She  died  July  29th.  1848.  leaving  five  children,  one  of  whom  has  since  died.  The  liviuar  are  John,  Dwight, 
Otis  and  Mary.  April  5th,  1859,  Mr.  Davis  married  Keziah  Loughlin  a  native  of  Brown  county,  Ohio.  He  has  been 
in  the  mercantile  business  and  occupied  the  position  of  postmaster  since  1859.  He  owns  80  acres  of  land  adjoining 
Palatine,  beside  his  residence  and  business  property,  Mrs,  D.  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

JOHN  HAWES. 

Mr.  Hawes  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  who,  along  with  his  parents,  came  to  Putnam  county  in 
1838  and  located  in  this  township.  His  wife  was  formerly  Ella  /.  Kelliu,  born  in  Fayetto  county,  Penn.,  whom  he 
married  in  1862.  I  hey  have  three  children,  John  E  ,  Mary  L.  and  Lizzie  H.  Mrs.  Hawes  died  March  18th,  1879.  She 
was  a  very  estimable  woman  and  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Although  a  comparatively 
young  man  Mr.  Hiwes  has  been  fortunate  beyond  the  majority  of  persons,  owning  300  acres  of  fine  farming  land  in 
this  county  and  Marshall,  and  a  beautiful  residence  near  Magnolia. 

JOSHUA  S.  MILLS. 

Mr.  Hills  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  real  estate  owners  in  Putnam  county,  and  a  very  successful  farmer.  He  was 
born  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  in  1821  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1842.  In  1850  he  married  Htnnah  8.  Hoyle, 
born  in  Ohio,  and  to  them  have  been  given  Mary  L.,  S.  F.,  Edith  Ann  and  Ruth  E.  They  belong  to  the  Society  of 
Friends.  Mr.  Mills  owns  910  acres  under  cultivation  and  110  acres  of  timber.  Ilia  home  is  one  of  the  pleasaniest 
in  a  township  noted  for  its  fine  residences,  and  his  faim  shows  what  intelligent  management  can  effect  in  a  country 
like  Illinois. 

MOSES  DUGAN. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  farmer,  located  on  section  5,  Magnolia  township,  though  his  postoffice  address 
is  Hennepin.  Mr.  Dugan  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,in  1820.  With  his  parents  he  located  when  a  child  in  Har- 
rison county,  Ohio,  where  he  resided  until  1836,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  this  county.  He  owns  291  Hitea  of 
land  in  Putnam,  and  80  acres  in  La  Salle  county,  and  his  farm  is  one  of  the  neatest  in  the  c  )unty. 

DENNIS  SPRINGER. 

A  farmer  located  in  section  4,  his  postoffice  address  being  Cottage  Hill.  Mr.  Springer  was  born  in  Fayette 
county.  Pa.,  in  1852,  settled  in  Putnam  county  in  1876,  and  the  same  year  married  Miss  Parah  A.  Dininger,  who  is 
also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  two  children,  Drusilla  H.  and  Carrie  May.  Mr.  8.  owns  95  acres  of  land 
in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

WILLIAM  P.  HOYLE. 

Residence  in  section  4.  Postoffice,  Mount  Palatine.  Mr.  Hoyle  was  born  in  this  township'July  4th,  1849.  In 
1874  he  married  Miss  Alvira  Hoyle,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  July  16,1851.  They  have  three  children,  Elizabeth  J., 
Sarah  W.  and  J.  Warren.  Mrs.  Hoyle  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  William  Hoyle,  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1832,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Friends'  church  at  Clear 
Creek.  He  died  in  1875.  Mr.  Hoyle  owns  600  acres  of  improved  land,  and  is  one  of  the  school  directors  of  his 
district.  • 

ABEL  MILLS. 

Mr.  Mills  is  a  farmer,  bom  in  Pennsylvania  in  1829  snd  came  to  Illinois  when  eleven  years  old.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Bosley  in  1850.  She  died  in  1865  leaving  seven  children,  two  of  whom  have  since  followed  her  to 
the  grave.  The  living  are  Martha,  Milton,  Hnldah  R.,  Oliver  P.  and  (Villiam  L.  In  1866  Mr.  M.  was  married  again 
to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Amos  Wilson,  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1835.  They  have  five  children,  Charle  • 


660  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

W.,  Clarence,  Albert  L.,  Amos  P.,  and  Le  Roy  A,  They  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr  Mills  has  held 
several  minor  offices  and  is  president  of  the  Farmer's  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company'  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of 
1(0  acres  acres  with  first-class  improvements' 

MASON  WILSON. 

Mr,  Wilson  was  bom  and  has  always  lived  in  this  township,  his  existence  datir-g  baok  to  1844.  His  wife  was 
formerly  Laura  E.  Bell  and  her  native  place  was  Belmont  county,  Ohio.  They  have  two  children,  James  F,  and 
Blanche  E.  His  father,  Bird  Wilson,  came  to  this  county  in  1831  and  died  in  1872  Hewasaeold  hunter  in  Cali- 
fornia in  early  times,  having  made  the  trip  across  fie  plains  in  1669.  Mr.  Wilson  lias  a  very  nlesant  home  on  a  farm 
of  80  acres 

JOHN  SWANEY! 

Postmaster,  Clear  Creek,  Magnolia  township,  Illinois. 

WILLIAM  S.  SCHMID. 

Mr.  Schmid  is  a  merchant,  residing  ami  doing  business  in  Mount  Palatine.  He  was  born  in  Switzerland,  in 
1838,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  and  located  in  Peru  ,  111.  In  1866  he  married  Mrs.  Barbara  Kleinsmitz,  a 
native  of  Bavaiia.  She  has  one  child  by  a  former  marriage.  Mary  K.  Kleinsmitz,  born  September  24, 1860.  Mr. 
8.  is  a  Lutheran,  while  his  wife  and  daughter  belong  to  the  Catholic  church.  August  9,  1861,  Mr.  Schmid  enlisted 
in  Co.  K,  llth  111.,  Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  corporal,  and  served  under  General  Grant  until  17th  October,  1865.  He  carries  a 
general  stock  of  goods  suitable  to  his  trade. 

HENRY  DOSE. 

Mr.  Dose  is  a  farmer,  living  in  Palatine.  He  was  born  in  Alsace,  France,  in  1823,  came  to  this  country  in 
1847,  and  located  in  Putnam  county  in  1867.  He  married  Miss  Catherine  Errick,  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany, 
their  union  being  blessed  with  seven  children,— Christiana,  Philip,  Theodore,  Lawrence,  Mary,  Theresa,  and  Mich- 
ael. They  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr,  Dose  owns  157  acres  of  hind,  all  improved. 

JAMES  G.  LAUGHLIN. 

Mr,  Laughlin  is  a  farmer,  living  at  Mount  Palatine,  who  was  born  in  Bond  county.  111.,  October  6, 1824,  and 
with  his  parents  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1830,  He  married  Julia  Smith,  born  in  Herkimer  county.  New  York,  in 
1850,  lived  a  while  in  Orange  county,  ard  came  to  Illinois  in  1847.  They  have  eight  children— Marion  E.,  Charles 
Emmett,  Antoinette,  John  R,,  James  A.,  Jennie,  Samuel  F.  and  Chester  3.,  and  one  (Mabel)  deceased.  They  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  owns  an  improved  farm  of  160  acres,  and  other  land,  and  is  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  the  place. 

ADAM  MATEEN. 

A  farmer,  living  on  section  12,  post  office,  Mount  Palatine.  Mr.  Matern  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in 
1826.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1844,  and  located  in  this  county,  on  section  13,  range  2.  In  1854  he  married  Miss 
Theresa  Amrahn,  also  a  native  of  Bavaria,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children, — Michael,  Elizabeth.  Joseph,  Barnard, 
Theresa,  William  and  Henry,  and  three  deceased.  They  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  M.  has  served 
the  community  in  the  capacity  of  a  school  director  for  a  number  of  years.  He  owns  265  acres  of  improved  land, 
with  good  buildings. 

YOUNG  A.  GLENN. 

Mr.  Glenn  is  a  farmer,  born  in  McLean  county,  in  this  State,  in  1828.  His  father  was  an  early  settler  here, 
coming  in  1822.  Mr.  Glenn,  Sr..  was  well  known,  and  stood  high  in  the  community.  He  raised  several  sous,  who 
settled  in  the  vicinity,  and  made  themselves  comfortably  independent.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in 
1854  to  Elizabeth  German,  born  in  Ohio  in  1»32.  They  have  four  children  living,  viz.,  Isaac  D.,  Cordelia  B.,  Clara 
E.,  Ann  E.,  and  Young  Sherman.  He  takes  a  marked  interest  in  schools  and  educational  matters,  having  been  a 
school  director  since  twenty-two  years  of  age.  Although  unable  to  perform  manual  labor,  he  is  one  of  the 
most  successful  fanners  in  the  county,  owning  365  acres  of  improved  land  in  the  very  garden  of  Illinois.  He  is  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  stock  raising,  owning  a  fine  herd  of  blooded  cattle. 

JACOB  MAULFAIR. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  5,  whose  post  office  address  is  Florid.  He  was  born  in 
Lebanon  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1834,  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1856,  and  in  H69  married  Mary  A.  Chance,  a 
native  of  Putnam.  They  have  four  children — Seltzer,  Early,  Chauncy  and  Jacob.  He  is  a  large  land-holder  and 
good  farmer,  owning  280  acres  of  improved  land  in  Putnam,  and  120  acres  elsewhere.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  indus- 
trious and  prosperous. 

EDWIN  GAYLORD,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Gaylord  was  born  in  Tioga  county.  Pa.,  February  5,  1834.  and  completed  his  education  at  Judson  College, 
Mount  Palatine.  Choosing  the  medical  profession,  he  qualified  himself  for  practice  by  a  severe  course  of  study, 
attending  lectures  at  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  and  at  Hush  College,  Chicago,  where 
he  graduated  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  Three  years  he  devoted  to  practice  at  Kewanee,  and  then  entered  the  Med- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  661 

ical  College  of  Tennessee,  where  he  received  a  diploma.  He  was  promoted  a  surgeon  in  the  army,  and  served  until 
he  resigned.  He  comes  from  an  old  family,  and  traces  his  lineage  in  a  direct  line  back  to  1630.  He  is  the  youngest 
son  of  the  late  Aaron  Qaylord  of  Mar.-hall  connty,  and  j/randnon  of  Lemuel  Gavlord,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
whose  honored  remains  rest  in  Cumberland  cemetery,  on  Sandy  Creek,  Marshall  county.  Here  likewise  rests  his 
father,  who  was  born  in  1792,  and  died  in  1834.  The  doctor  is  wedded  to  his  profession,  and  well  read  up  in  the 
medical  literature  of  the  dav.  He  is  both  progressive  and  successful  in  business. 

WILLIAM  NEWBURN. 

This  gentleman  is  a  farmer  living  in  section  4.  Postoffice,  Hennepin.  Mr.  Newburn  was  born  in  Warren 
county,  Ohio,  in  1824,  and  located  in  thin  county  when  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  1852  he  married  Leah  Harley,  who 
was  born  in  Lancaster  county  Pa.,  in  1828.  They  have  seven  children,  Samuel  H.,  John  W..  Mary  E,,  Amy,  Martha 
A.,  Irene  and  William.  Mr.  N.  has  served  in  the  district  in  which  he  resides  in  the  capacity  of  a  school  director  for 
several  years.  He  owns  200  acres  of  improved  land,  with  good  residence  and  other  buildings. 

JOHN  McNABB. 

Mr.  McNabb.  as  his  name  indicates,  is  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  born  in  1809.  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1826.  He  first  landed  in  the  state  of  New  York  where  he  enlisted  in  the  regular  service  and  served  against  the  In- 
dians in  Florida,  under  Gen.  Scott,  where  he  was  disabled  and  discharged  from  the  service  with  a  pension.  He 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1838  and  married  Margaret  Morrison  in  that  year,  a  country  woman  of  his,  by  whom  he 
has  had  six  children,  David,  Robert,  James,  John,  Orella  and  James.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  and  attends  the 
Congregational  church. 

WILLIAM  HAWES,  Jr. 

Mr.  Hawes  was  bom  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  in  1833,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  with  his  parents  when  five 
years  old.  In  1858  he  married  Ellen  Klisbee,  born  in  Lacon,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  now  Mrs  Roberts.  Mrs, 
Hawes  died  in  1864.  In  1865  he  wai  mtrried  again  to  Mvry  J.  Trone,  of  York  county.  Pa.  Mr.  Hawes  has 
served  his  township  two  terms  as  supervisor,  has  been  a  school  director  seven  years,  and  is  now  serving  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council  and  President  of  the  Board,  lie  owns  two  farms,  embracing  360  acres,  with  a  fine  residence 
and  grounds  adjoining  town. 

S.  T.  ENGLAND. 

Mr.  England  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  2.  in  Mount  Palatine.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  in 
1835,  and  located  in  Putnam  county  in  1865.  In  1860  he  married  Miss  Therasa  Larimer,  who  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land county,  Pa.  Ihey  have  four  children  living— Laura,  James,  Emma  and  George.  The  family  attend  ser- 
vices at  the  Friends  church,  Mr.  E.  is  very  pleasantly  situated,  and  his  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  is  valuable. 

DAVID  SWANEY. 

Mr.  Swaney  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  section  9,  postoffice.  Clear  Creek.  He  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pa., 
in  1827,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  uncle  in  1840.  In  1853  he  married  Mary  A.  lloyle,  a  native  of  Belmont 
county,  Ohio,  their  children  being  three  in  number,  Joseph  II.,  Willis  H.  and  Clarence  C.  Mr.  8  owns  440  acres  of 
land,  all  improved.  He  furnished  a  substitute  during  the  war.  Mrs.  Swaney  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

L.  STUDYVIN. 

Mr.  Study vin  lives  on  section  8,  and  his  postoffice  is  at  Hen  nepin.    lie  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  in 

1825,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  when  a  child  of  seven  in  1832.    In  1856  he  wedded  Abbie  Mullens,  born  in  Preble 
county,  Ohin.    They  have  seven  children,  Calvin  Jr.,  Inez  M.,  Samuel  W.,  Clara  A..  William  E.,  Isaac  A,,  and  Mag- 
gie A.    He  owns  177  acres  of  well  improved  land,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

FRED  WOLF. 

Mr.  Wolf  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  he  was  born  in  1841,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848. 
He  landed  first  in  Putnam  connty,  then  removed  to  LaSalle,  and  finally  returned  to  Putnam  in  1865,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  In  1863  he  wedded  Clara  Mardin,  born  in  Putnam  connty,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children,  George, 
Emma,  Edward,  Clara,  Louis,  Fred,  and  Martin  They  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Wolf  is  a  first- 
class  farmer  and  a  hard  worker,  owning  200  acres  of  well  improved  land  in  Putnam,  and  100  in  La  Salle  county. 

JAMES  ANDERSON. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  born  in  Delaware  county  Pennsylvania  in  1828,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  in  1829,  and 
f rom  th<-nce  to  Putnam  county.  He  married  Mary  B.  McCabe,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  in  1852,  who  was  born  in 

1826.  They  have  two  children  living-Ann  K.  and  Philip  B.    Mrs.  Anderson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church. 
He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  under  excellent  cultivation,  with  good  improvements,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  see 
and  appreciate  the  advantages  of  using  drain  tile. 

MICHAEL  WOLF. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  from  the  "  Fatherland,"  having  been  born  in  Bavaria  in  1832,  and  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1848,  first  locating  in  LaSalle  county,  He  married  Eva  M.  Herrmine  in  1854.  She  was  born  in 


662  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Germany.  They  have  six  children— four  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz,,  Theodore  F.  Jacob,  Theresa  Frank,  Peter, 
and  Lizzie,  and  belong  to  the  Catholic  faith.  Mr.  Wolf  is  energetic  and  pushing,  a  good  mam  ger,  hard  working 
and  industrious.  He  owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  240  acres  a  good  brick  dwelling  house  and  first  class  im- 
provements. 

ISAAC  S.  HAM. 

Mr.  Ham  IB  a  farmer  residing  on  section  17.  Postoffice,  Ox  Bow.  3e  was  born  in  Kennebec,  Maine,  in  1807, 
moved  with  bis  parents  to  New  York  in  1811.  thence  to  \dams  counr.v.  Ohio,  in  1819,  where  Mr.  II.  remained  until 
1845,  when  he  moved  to  this  county,  located  on  his  pref-ent  homestead,  and  built  a  water  mill,  which  he  has  run  up 
to  the  last  year,  cutting  about  two-  million  feet  of  lumber.  In  1S49  he  married  Mis*  Maria  Cynthin  Murcb,  a  native 
of  Conrtland  county.  New  York  born  in  1828.  They  have  three  children  living,  -  Mary  K.,  Harry  C  and  Wayne  I. 
They  attend  the  M.  E.  church,  in  the  S  ilib  itli  school  of  which  Mrs.  Hatn  has  been  a  teacher  many  years.  She  is  a 
lady  of  refinement  and  intelligence,  and  a  most  pleasant  neighbor.  Mr.  Ham  is  a  millwright,  and  has  built  several 
mills  in  other  sections  of  this  state  and  in  Kentucky.  He  owns  122  acres  of  improved  land,  itnd  has  a  very  pleasant 
residence,  romantically  situated  in  the  timber  on  Clear  Creek,  near  Caledonia. 

EDWARD  JAKES. 

Mr.  Jakes  is  a  farmer,  whose  postoffice  address  is  Ox  Bow,  although  he  resides  on  section  13.  Hennepin  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Northamptonshire,  England,  in  1817,  came  to  this  country  in  1835.  and  after  a  brief  sojourn  in 
New  York  state,  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Inlantrv,  regular  army,  under  Col.  Zacb.  Taylor,  anH  served  three  vears  in 
the  war  against  the  Sen inole.  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians  in  Alabama,  Florida  and  Tenneesee .  He  WHS  discharged 
at  Paducah.  Ky . ,  in  1838,  and  in  1843  married,  in  that  state.  Mrs.  Margaret  Dunbar  (Young).  She  was  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  had  three  children. by  a  former  marriage, — Clarissa,  Elizabeth  and  <  1  rinda.  Mr.  Jakes  owns  180  acres  of 
land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

NEWTON  J.  MATHIS. 

Mr.  Mathis  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  30.  IVfitoffice,  Ox  Row.  He  was  horn  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
November  22, 1837,  located  in  Putnam  county  in  1842,  and  in  1858  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Sevbold.  She  was  born  in 
Warren  county.  111.,  October  14  1839.  They  have  three  children  living.-  W  il'inni  Leslie,  E  Iward  A.  nnd  James  N. 
They  are  members  of  the  M..  E.  church,  and  he  is  a  meji^er  of  the  board  of  school  directors  in  his  district.  He 
has  225  acres  of  land,  with  good  improvements. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  663 


GRANVILLE  TOWNSHIP. 


JOSEPH  REINHARDT. 

Mr.  Heinlmrat  is  an  adopted  American  citizen,  born  in  Hesse  Cassell,  Germany,  in  1828,  and  coming  to  this 
country  in  1852  and  locating  on  the  place  where  he  has  since  resided,  lie  visited  his  native  country  in  1859.  return- 
ing the  following  year,  more  than  ever  satsified  with  his  choice  of  a  home.  In  1852  he  married  Bertha  Brenneman, 
a  countrywoman  of  his,  and  to  them  have  been  born  five  children,  viz.,  Adolph  in  1853,  Emma  in  1855,  Wary  in  1857, 
Helen  in  1859,  and  Lena  in  1861.  Mr.  Rheinhardt  represented  his  district  in  the  27th  General  Assembly,  and  proved 
himself  a  safe,  sagacious  and  popular  legislator.  Mr.  Rheiuhardt  is  a  large  farmer,  owning  770  acrgs  of  land  under 
excellent  cultivation,  and  is  a  man  of  unusual  intelligence  and  refinement.  He  is  a  representative  man  of  a  large 
class  of  German  citizens  in  this  county . 

LUTHER  D.  GUNN. 

Mr.  Gnnn  was  born  in  Fittsfield,  Massachusetts,  on  July  28,  1814,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  June. 
1836.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  the  first  year  worked  in  Hennepin,  after  which  he  went  into  the  country, 
and  located  at  Granville  in  1839.  In  1840  he  married  Miss  K  .  Collins,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  whose 
recollections  of  the  deprivations  and  discomforts  of  the  pioneers  are  full  of  interest.  Her  native  town  was  Gran- 
ville, New  York.  They  have  eleven  children  living  and  three  deceased— Joel  O  ,  Amos  D..  Fannie,  Lucy,  EvsC., 
Sarah,  Mary  A.,  Ellen  L..  Henry  D.,  Nellie  L.,  and  Clara  C.  Are  members  of  the  Congregationalist  church  of  Gran- 
ville. Mr.  Gunn  owns  200  acres  of  land,  and  the  finest  residences  in  the  county. 

ROBERT  W.  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  is  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county.  He  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  October  3, 1803,  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Bond  county.  111.,  in  1819.  and  in  1829  located  in  Putnam  (then  Tazewell)  county,  where  he  has 
since  followed  farmine-  His  residence  is  on  section  8,  Postoffice,  Granville.  March  28  1830.  he  mairied  Miss  Fannie 
keeper,  daughter  of  J  udge  Leeper,  of  Jacksonville,  111.  She  died  March  10,  1842,  leaving  six  children,— Elizabeth, 
John  A.,  James  H.,  Martha,  Mary  A.  and  Sarah.  John  died  in  1860,  and  Sarah  in  1868.  In  1846  he  married  Miss 
Nancy  McClung.  The  only  child  by  this  marriage,  Francis  E.,  was  born  in  April,  1848,  and  died  June  4.  1850.  They 
are  members  of  the  Granville  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  Mr.  M,  has  been  an  elder  fifty-one  years,  being  one  of 
the  twenty- two  original  members.  In  1824  the  synod  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  the  States  of  Indiana.  Illinois 
and  Missouri  met  at  Shoal  Creek,  traveling  on  horseback,  and  the  attendance  was  so  great  and  the  country  so 
sparsely  settled  that  adequate  accommodations  could  not  be  provided .  Mr,  Moore  owns  453  acres  of  land. 

HIRAM  COLBY. 

Mi .  Colby  is  a  farmer  residing  in  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Gennessee  county,  New  York,  in  1825.  came  West 
in  1855,  located  iu  this  township  and  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  until  1870,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted 
himself  exclusively  to  farming .  In  1851  he  married  Miss  Sophia  E,  Clark,  a  native  of  the  same  place  as  himself. 
She  died  in  1876,  leaving  four  children,— Newton  H.,  Emma  J.,  Archie  L,,  and  L.  Isabel.  In  1878  Mr.  Colby  married 
Mrs.  G.  A.  Goldsmith  (Wykoff),  a  native  of  Knox  county,  111.  They  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 
Mr.  Colby  served  his  community  as  supervisor  two  years,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors 
some  fourteen  years.  He  owns  430  acres  of  laud,  all  under  cultivation,  with  good  improvement*. 

WILLIAM  W.  SHEPHERD. 

Mr.  Shepherd  lives  on  section  8  in  Granville  township,  and  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1832.  He  em- 
igrated to  Winnebago  county,  in  this  State,  iu  1856,  and  settled  in  Putnam  county  in  1859.  He  married  Mary  A. 
Moore  in  1860,  born  and  reared  in  this  county.  They  have  had  four  children  born  to  them,— Etta  M.  L.  Verner, 
Harry  L.  and  Sarah.  Are  members  of  the  Congreeationalist  church  in  Granville.  Mr.  Shepherd  owns  eighty  acres 
of  well  cultivated  land,  which  he  farms  in  person. 

THOMAS  WARE. 

A  farmer,  residing  in  Granville.  He  was  bom  in  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  in  1806,  came  West  in  1833,  and 
with  his  brother  Ralph  located  in  this  township  and  commenced  farming,  which  avocation  he  has  successfully  fol- 
lowed to  the  present  time.  In  1833  he  married  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  Miss  Nancy  L,  Shepherd,  also  a  native  of  that 
state.  She  died  in  1846,  leaving  five  children,  two  of  whom  have  since  died,  Thomas  8.,  Nancy  L.  (Mrs,  Farwell), 
and  Charles  K.  are  still  living.  May  6, 1847,  Mr.  Ware  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Stewart,  a  native  of  Bond  county,  111., 


664  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

his  present  wife.  The  children  by  this  mairiage  are  William  8.,  Mary  A.,  Sarah  !•:..  Henry  M.,  James  W.,  Joseph 
E.,  Lucy  E.,  and  Justin  P.  They  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  consistent  and  energetic  workers 
in  the  cause  of  temperance.  Two  sons-in-law  of  Mr.  Ware  and  his  son  Charles  K..  served  in  the  army  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  two  of  them  being  wounded.  A?  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  township  Mr  Ware  was  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  establishment  of  schools  and  churches,  and  was  an  active  and  cheerful  worker  in  pro- 
viding suitable  accommodations  for  these  indispensable  adjuncts  of  civilization.  He  owns  375  acres  of  land,  all 
under  cultivation  save  the  timber,  and  his  improvements  are  pleasant  and  substantial. 

BAZDALE  ISH. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Ish  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  at  its  close  he  settled  in  Wayne  county.  Indiana, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1820.  Two  years  later  he  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Peoria,  and  in 
1829  came  to  what  is  now  Putnam  county,  and  selecting  as  a  homestead  the  pUce  his  son  occupies  to-day.  Here  he 
grew  to  manhood,  and  his  remembrances  of  those  pioneer  days  are  well  worth  commemorating.  In  1848  he  married 
Miss  Lucia  Servis,  born  in  Meigs  county.  Ohio,  who  has  brought  him  six  children,  with  names  as  follows :  George, 
Francis.  Alice,  Herman,  I .y man.  and  Irene.  Mr.  Ish  has  served  the  people  in  various  public  capacities,  and  his 
industry  and  enterprise  has  been  rewarded  with  a  comfortable  independence.  He  owns  214  acres  of  valuable  land, 
has  a  comfortable  house  and  pleasant  surroundings,  and  is  a  genial,  hospitable  gentleman. 

J.  F.  SHEPHERD. 

Mr.  Shepherd  is  an  old  resident  of  Granville,  coming  here  in  1834.  lie  was  born  in  Norton,  Mass,,  in  1824, 
coming  here  with  bis  father,  who  purchased  from  government  the  present  site  of  Granville,  at  $1.26  per  acre.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  Mr.  Shepherd  began  farming,  and  September  Kith,  1849,  consummated  the  most  important 
event  of  his  life  by  marrying  Miss  Juliette  Richardson,  in  Peoria— a  native  of  Muskingum  county,  Ohio.  They 
have  four  children  living,— Levi  L.,  Eliza  (Mrs.  Penfield),  Daniel,  Franklin  L.  and  Eva;  and  two  deceased,  Lucy 
and  Juliette1  Are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  Mr.  S,  is  trustee,  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Shepherd  are  always 
found  on  the  right  side  in  any  movement  whose  object  is  to  benefit  mankind.  They  take  a  deep  interest  in  Sabbath 
school  ana  temperance  work,  and  are  outspoken  ill  the  condemnation  of  wrong.  They  have  achieved  a  comfortable 
independence,  and  in  their  pleasant  home,  surrounded  by  books  and  papers,  enjoying  the  companionship  of  friends 
and  children,  their  days  go  happily  by,  and  their  lives  are 

"  Free  from  woes  that  vex  the  poor, 

And  griefs  that  haunt  the  rich  man's  door." 

ANDREW  C.  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  born  on  the  place  he  now  occupies— something  that  can  be  said  of 
very  few  Americans.  His  father  came  from  Brown  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  in  1798.  moved  to  Illinois  in 
1819,  and  to  this  county  in  1832.  He  died  here  January  24, 1880.  Mr.  Moore  was  married  in  1865  to  Mary  C.  Haw- 
kins, who  was  born  in  Washington  county.  New  York,  and  they  have  three  children— Elma  C.,  Olive  and  John  A. 
Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Union  Grove. 

J.    D.    HULLINGEK. 

Mr.  Hullinger  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  who  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  La  Salle 
conntv  in  1833 and  came  to  Putnam  in  1840.  He  married  Sarah  B  Church,  a  native  of  Stamford,  N.  Y..  in  1846. 
She  died  in  1874  leaving  seven  children,  Caleb  B.,  Frank  W.,  Mary  F.,  Charles  8.,  Henry  H.,  Phebe  G,  and  John 
D.  Mr.  H.  takes  a  deep  interest  in  education,  giving  his  children  all  the  benefits  to  be  derived  therefrom,  and 
serving  as  school  director  sixteen  years.  He  owns  200  acres  of  well  improved  land,  takes  pride  in  fin*  cattle  and 
fat  hogs  and  has  filled  various  minor  offices.  His  father  died  in  1836  and  his  mother  two  years  later. 

FRED  T.  BEERS. 

Granville,  Putnam  County,  Illinois, 

DAVID  FESSLER. 

Mr.  Fessler  is  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state  (Pa.)  where  he  was  born  in  Lebanon  county  in  1833.  and  ten  years 
later  moved  to  Indiana.  He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1867.  Three  years  previous  he  married  Came  Bear,  of 
Lancaster  county.  Pa"  They  have  six  children,  William  Clara,  Mattie,  Theodore,  Harris  and  Harvey.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  owns  seventy  acres  of  well  improved  land. 

W.  B.  NEWPORT. 

Mr.  Newport  was  born  in  Boone  county,  Kentucky,  in  1828  and  came  to  Putnam  county,  with  his  parents  in 
1836,  returning  the  same  fall  for  the  purpose  of  completing  bis  education.  He  remained  there  until  1840 .  [n  1859, 
he  married  Sarah  Pipes  who  died  in  1876,  leaving  three  surviving  children,  Virginia,  Laura  and  Henrietta.  Mr, 
N.  is  well  informed  on  all  topics  of  the  day,  is  well  read  up  politically,  and  asks  no  man  what  he  shall  believe  or  how 
he  shall  vote.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  under  good  cultivation  and  is  a  model  American  farmer. 

S.    H.    MUMMA. 

Mr.  Murama  was  born  of  German  parentage  in  Dauphin  county,  Pa.,  in  183S  and  came  to  Granvllle  in  1863. 
Three  years  before  he  married  Anna  A,  Vanderslice,  a  towns  woman  of  himself.  In  1875  he  embarked  in  the  mer- 


DEPARTMENT.  (565 

femtile  business  and  is  the  leading  tradesman  of  the  place,  carrying  a  very  complete  assortment  of  well  selected 
goods.  He  is  the  father  of  ten  sons  and  daughters,  viz:  James  V.,  Harry  L.,  Willie  D.,  Gracie  E.,  Warren  S.,  Her- 
bert 1.,  Mary  E  ,  Charlie  L.,  Richard  and  Fannie.  Are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  Granville  He  is 
township  collector  and  member  of  the  council,  has  held  other  minor  offices,  and  stands  well  in  the  com- 
munity. 

CHRISTIAN  BRUDER. 

Mr.  Bruder  is  a  blacksmith  living  in  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1828,  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1852  and  located  in  Granville.  He  has  followed  his  trade  continuously  since  coming  here.  In  1872  he  married 
Barbara  Mea.  also  a  native  of  Germany.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Bruder  has  three  children,  Leonard,  Lena  and 
Fritz,  and  two  by  a  former  marriage,  Mary  and  Theodore.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  owns  240  acres  of  land  in  Livingston  county  and  his  residence,  shop  and  one  block  in  Granville. 

E.  C.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  teamster  residing  in  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Frederick,  Md.,  in  1820,  removed  to  Jeffersun 
connty,  Ohio,  in  1852,  but  remained  there  only  a  short  time,  chiming  to  Hcnnepin  the  same  year.  In  1848  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  J,  Davis,  a  native  of  Ohio .  They  have  three  children  living,  William  F.,  Amos  V.  and  Oscar.  Mr 
Smith  has  filled  the  position  of  street  commissioner,  and  has  been  three  years  a  constable,  an  office  he  still  holds. 
He  owns  a  house  and  three  lota  in  Granville  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  company  E.  4th  111.  Cavalry,  and  served  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  by  the  rebel  General  Forbes  in  1862  and  paroled  on  the  field .  He  participated 
in  all  the  actions  in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged  during  the  war . 

ALANSON  WIIITAKER. 

Mr.  Whitajver  is  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Granville,  and  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Putnam  county.  He  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county.  N.  J.,  March  24th,  1810.  and  in  1835  started  "overland"  for  the  far  distant  west,  arriv- 
ing at  Hennepin  after  a  journey  of  four  weeks.  May  28, 1889,  he  married  Maria  J.  Taggart,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. She  died  in  1845.  leaving  two  children,  Emma,  born  January  17, 1840,  and  Otis  N..  born  July  31, 1844,  the 
latter  of  whom  died  July  28, 1845.  June  19,  1851,  Mr.  Whitaker  married  Hannah  Boxandale.  bin  present  wife,  a 
native  of  Lancastershire,  England.  They  have  two  children,  Mary  11.,  born  September  15,  1852,  and  Sarah  C.,  born 
March  2, 1857.  Mr  Whitaker  and  wife  are  members  of  th3  Baptist  churcn,  of  which  he  has  been  30  years  a  deacon. 
He  lias  also  been  treasurer  of  the  school  fund  fifteen  years.  He  owns  valuable  property  in  the  village. 

JOEL  W.  EAMES.. 

Mr.  Eames  is  a  farmer  residing  on  section  35,  postoffice,  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Whitingham,  Windham 
connty,  Vermont.  September  C,  1814,  and  came  west  with  his  mother  and  sisters  in  1839,  locating  in  Granville.  In 
1873  he  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hoffenickle  (nee  Vanderslice),  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  He  has  four  children  by  a  former 
marriage,  Charlie  H..  George  B.,  Mary  E.  and  Judson  T.  Mr.  Eames  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
church.  He  owns  340  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivativation,  with  good  improvements. 

WILLIAM  DUNN. 

This  gentleman  is  a  resident  of  Granville,  and  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages.  He  was  bom  in 
Greenwich,  Washington  county  N  Y.,  in  1828  In  1854  he  came  to  Putnam  county,  remained  one  year  and  returned 
to  New  York,  In  1863  he  located  here  permanently,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  his  present  business. 
In  1868  he  married  Sarah  M.  McFarland,  a  native  of  Salem,  N.  Y.  *Trs.  Dunn  is  'a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  Mr.  Dunn  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  town  council  for  several  years, 
during  the  last  two  years  occupying  the  position  of  president  »f  that  body.  He  owns  a  comfortable  residence  and 
shop.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  139th  111.  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment. Was  also  deputy  sheriff  in  Washington  connty,  N.  Y.,  before  coming  to  this  county. 

ROBERT  McS>iiTii. 

Mr.  McSmith  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1834  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
Putnam  county  the  same  year .  He  married  Isalbah  King  in  1«68,  who  was  born  in  Louisiana  and  brought  up  in 
New  York*  They  have  two  children,  Charles  G.  and  Mamie  Belle.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  Mr.  McSmith  is  a  member  of  the  town  council.  Is  also  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M  Mr.  McS.  entered  the 
three  months  service  in  1861,  served  four  months  and  re-enlisted  in  the  104th  111.  Volunteers  in  1863  as  regimental 
blacksmith,  but  was  taken  sick  and  upon  recovery  detailed  for  hospital  duty.  At  the  trial  of  Bowles  Milligan  and 
others  for  treason  ne  served  as  messenger  and  private  detective  and  performed  valuable  service.  On  one  of  his 
adventures  the  train  on  which  he  embarked  was  run  into  and  al*  but  himself  and  attendant  killed.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  ot  service  in  1865. 

ELI  V.  RALEY. 

Mr.  Raley  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  living  on  section  9  of  Granville  township.  He  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton county.  Pa.,  in  1823,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1849.  When  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California  was  heralded  over 
the  land,  he  joined  a  party  of  explorers,  and  with  suitable  outfit  journeyed  across  the  plains.  They  endured  severe 
hardships,  lost  much  of  their  stock,  but  finally  made  Southern  California,  and  remained  several  years  in  the  coun- 


66(5  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

try.  meeting  with  varied  success  His  love  of  adventure  satified.  he  returned  to  the  States,  content  to  become  a 
tiller  of  the  soil,  ami  settled  in  Putnam  county.  Injl855  he  married  Mifa  Frances  4.  Murphy,  born  m  Jefferson  county 
Ohio,  who  became  the  mother  of  five  children— Charles  R.,  Arvilla  K.,  Harry  E.,  Howard  B.  and  Franklin  Hyatt. 
Mr.  Kaley  is  a  Democrat  in  sentiment,  and  has  represented  his  district  in  the  General  Assembly,  wheie  he  proved 
himself  a  clear-headed,  intelligent  Representative,  opposed  to  class  legislation  and  monopolies,  and  ready  to  lend 
hie  influence  and  vote  for  wnatever  was  promocive  of  the  public  good.  He  has  served  his  township  as  supervisor, 
and  in  other  capacities  is  a  promoter  of  peace,  and  stands  high  in  the  community.  His  farm  and  surroundings  are 
among  the  pleasantest  in  the  county  and  indicates  bo'h  wealth  an  i  culture.  Be  owns  220  acres  in  Granville.  and 
considerable  land  in  Kansas,  attends  personally  to  the  details  of  business,  and  buys  and  sells  large  quantities  of 
cattle,  hogs  etc. 

THEODORE  HOLLY. 

Mr.  Holly  is  a  f Hrmer  and  drain  tile  manufacturer,  whose  residence  is  in  Granville  township,  and  his  post- 
office  Peru.  He  was  born  in  Butler  county.  Onio.  m  1845,  came  to  this  county  in  1849  with  his  parents,  and  married 
MisslBerthaBrenueman  in  1869.  They  have  five  children,  Julius  D.,  Willie.  Eliza  H.,  Laura  H.  and  Clara  M.  Seeitfg 
the  great  advanuige  of  thorough  draining,  and  finding  by  experiment  his  farm  was  underlaid  with  clay  of  remark- 
able tenacity  and  adaptability  he  embarked  in  the  business  of  manufacturing,  and  turns  out  a  large  amount 
yearly,  acknowledged  to  be  without  an  equal  in  the  vicinity.  He  manufactures  and  keeps  on  hand  in  large  quan- 
tities the  following  sizes  at  these  prices: 

2)4  inch  per  M $11  00 

3       '  1400 

3* 1800 

4 2100 

6 3000 

6       "       "    -  4500 

SILAS  HURIN. 

Mr.  Hnrin  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1822.  and  died  in  1877.  He  was  married  in  1850  and  came  to 
Putnam  county  in  1863.  His  wif«'s  maiden  name  was  Mary  Lane,  her  native  place  is  Brown  county,  Ohio,  where 
she  was  born  in  1827.  They  had  eight  children  born  to  them,  Albert,  Martha  B.,  Charles  I.,  Jeremiah  T..  William 
W.,  Purdy  M..  Jennie  N.  and  Ida  L.  Are  members  of  the  M,  E.  church,  Mr.  N.  held  various  minor  offices  and 
was  well  thought  of  in  the  community.  Mr.  H.  owns  130  acres  under  good  cultivation. 

JAMES  A.  HARPER. 

Mr.  Harper  is  yet  a  young  man  but  a  large  farmer  and  extensive  grower  of  fine  stock .  He  was  born  in  Gran- 
ville township  in  1852  and  in  1879  married  Mary  Darley,  likewise  born  in  Hennepin  township.  He  owns  320  acres 
ol  fine  tillable  land,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Nitncy  Harper,  who  came  herein  1832  and  began  improving  the 
place  where  they  afterward  lived.  His  father  died  whtn  his  son  was  but  a  few  months  old  and  MB  mother  in  1852, 
He  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  young  men  in  Putnam  county. 

MOSES  A.  ELLIOTT. 

Mr.  Elliott  was  born  in  Hubberdton  county,  Mass.,  in  1811,  moved  with  his  parents  to  New  Hampshire,  and 
tueuce  to  Vermont  where  ne  lived  until  1834  when  he  came  to  Lorrain  county,  Ohio,  He  lived  there  thirty-three 
yenrs,  rearing  a  large  family.  He  was  married  Sept  17,  1853  to  Louisa  Holtou,  who  became  the  mother  of  five  c  il- 
iii'. •!!.  Josepb  1).,  Alonzo  B.,  Hannah  A.,  Fred  G.  and  John  K.  In  1867  Mr.  Elliott  came  to  Putnam  county  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  owns  a  very  pleasant  farm  of  2iO  acres. 

ADAM  KUNKEL. 

Mr.  Kunkel  is  a  farmer  on  section  33,  and  his  postoffice  address  is  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1812  and  came  to  America  in  1866. 1  He  married  Anna  Mary  Stouss  in  1838  and  to  them  have  been  given  five  children, 
John  Mary,  Peter,  Tracy  and  Henry.  1  hey  are  members  oi  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Kunkel  is  a  large  farmer 
and  owns  300  acres  of  tillable,  pasture  and  timber  Und.  His  home  is  very  pleasant  and  finely  situated. 

JULIUS  BRENNEMAN. 

Mr.  Brenneman  represents  a  well  known  family,  often  met  in  the  annals  of  Putnam  county.  He  was  born  in 
Germany  but  came  here  with  his  parents  when  three  years  old  aud  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  county.  In 
1875  he  married  Emma  Hetnhardt.  born  in  this  county,  and  to  them  has  been  born  one  child,  Myra,  in  1877.  He  is  a 
farmer  by  profession  and  is  enterprising  and  industrious. 

C.  C.  PENNIMAN. 

Mr.  lYnmmait  was  born  in  Bellows  FalK  Vermont,  in  1832,  and  was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  to  his 
country  in  the  dark  days  of  1861,  enlisting  in  the  Ninth  Vermont  Volunteers,  Company  K.  He  saw  service  in  the 
Bhenandoah  Valley,  and  was  captured  by  the  rebels  at  the  disgraceful  surrender  of  Harper's  Ferry  by  Colonel 
Miles,  where  11,5%  brave  men  1  lid  down  their  arms,  tin  was  first  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  and  then  to  Chicago, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  667 

where  he  remained  until  exchanged.  May  6th,  1863,  he  moved  with  his  command  to  Little  Bock,  Arkansas.  His 
regiment  was  the  first  to  enter  Richmond  at  the  capture  of  that  city.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  in  Putnam 
county,  where  he  pays  special  attention  to  the  breeding  of  fine  horses. 

MONS.  OLSON. 

Mr.  Olson  was  born  in  Denmark,  in  1840,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1867,  locating  in  LaSalle  county,  where 
he  still  lives,  and  in  engaged  in  farming.  His  residence  is  on  section  6,  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county,  but  his 
postoffice  is  Qranville,  In  1876  he  married  Mary  Leech,  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, 
Jennie  Zu  and  Harry  L.  They  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Olson  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  104th  Illinois  Inf. 
in  1862,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  at  Hartaville,  Tenn.,  in  1862,  and  paroled  on  the 
field;  was  wounded  at  Petrie  Creek,  Ga.,  in  1864,  and  at  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  in  1865,  He  owns  eighty-three  acres  of 
land  all  nnder  cultivation,  with  good  improvements. 

SAMUEL  BROWN. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  retired  farmer,  living  in  Qranville,  who  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky,,  in  1799.  He  removed  to 
this  county  in  1835,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1821  he  married  Lavina  Akers,  of  Shelbyville,  Ky.,  who  died  in 
1845.  leaving  eleven  children,  viz.,  Martha,  William  M.,  Sarah,  Mary,  Anna,  Nancy,  Lavina,  Prudence  J-,  Louisa, 
Achsa,  and  Albert.  Albert  died  in  the  army  from  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  Franklin;  William  M.  from  dis- 
ease contracted  in  the  service,  and  his  son  Marion  was  killed  in  action.  Besides  his  two  sons,  three  grandsons  lost 
their  lives  in  defense  of  their  country.  Who  can  show  snob  a  record?  All  of  the  remaining  children  but  one  are 
married. 

JAMES  DUNN. 

Mr.  Dunn  is  a  mechanic,  and  was  born  in  Washington  county,  New  York,  in  1825.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1855,  working  in  Granville  at  the  carpenter  and  joiner  business  two  years,  and  then  embarked  in  the  manufacture 
and  sale  of  carriages,  continuing  it  until  1870.  He  married  Lydia  L,  Whiting,  in  1858,  and  to  them  one  child, 
Charles  H.  was  born  in  1866.  All  are  members  of  the  temperance  organization,  and  active  workers  and  promoters  of 
the  cause.  He  owns  two  fine  farms  of  160  acres  each,  under  cultivation,  also  his  residence  in  town  and  other 
property. 

FRANK  WHITING,  Attorney  at  Law. 

Mr.  Whiting  is  a  farmer  and  lawyer,  born  in  Lockport,  N«w  York,  in  1836.  removed  with  his  parents  to  Mich- 
igan in  J838,  and  to  Putnam  county  in  1853.  He  married  Caro'ine  Packingham  in  1856,  born  in  Granville.  In  1861 
he  was  a  soldier  in  the  rebellion,  enlisting  in  the  20th  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was  elected  Lieutenant.  He  served 
until  discharged  through  disability,  occasioned  by  disease  contracted  on  duty.  He  has  five  children,  B'red.  H.. 
Mary  L.,  Lincoln  E,,  Lucy  A.  and  Cornelia  J.  He  has  filled  various  offices,  has  a  lucrative  practice,  and  is  regarded 
as  a  safe  advisor  and  a  rising  man. 

ENOCH  F.  HINMAN. 

Mr.  Hinman  is  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  born  in  1813,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1849.  In  1844  he 
married  Paulina  Ineersoll,  born  in  New  York.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  Geo.  E.,  Albert  F,.  Marshall,  Ella  and 
Lansing.  Mr.  H.  had  one  son  by  a  former  marriage,  who  was  killed  in  battle  at  the  Beige  of  Vicksburg  the  niffht 
preceding  the  surrender  Albert  F.  married  Maggie  Batten  in  1877,  born  in  Canada.  They  have  one  child-  Harry. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinman  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  have  long  resided  in  the  neighborhood. 

JAMES  BANNING. 

A  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  County  Antrim  in  1826.  In  1845  he  immigrated  with  his  parents  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  to  this  country,  locating  first  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  whence  he  came  to  Putnam  county  in 
1849,  returned  Co  Pennsylvania,  and  located  here  permanently  in  1855.  He  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  section  22,  and 
owns  300  acres  of  land  all  under  cultivation,  with  good  improvements,  beside  an  additional  tract  of  forty  acres, 
which  he  recently  purchased.  He  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  farmers  in  the  county. 

JEREMIAH  CLEMENS. 

A  farmer  residing  on  section  16.  Posroffice,  Florid.  He  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pa,,  in  1819,  located  in 
Bockingham  county,  Va.,  in  1835,  where  he  married  Elizabeth  Brock,  a  native  of  that  county,  in  1843;  in  1?54  moved 
to  Madison  county,  Ind.,  and  thence  to  this  county  in  1865.  Tr>ey  have  eleven  children  living— George  W.,  B. 
Franklin,  John  E.,  Samuel  P.,  Sarah  E.,  Jacob  P.,  Mary  A.,  William  H.,  Charles  A,,  Bebecca  A.  and  Jeremiah,  and 
one  dead.  Mrs.  Clemens  is  a  member  of  the  German  Baptist  church.  He  has  been  a  school  director  several  terms. 
Owns  214  acres  of  improved  land,  and  464  acres  of  hind  in  Boy  county,  Missouri. 

PETER  DAHL. 

Mr.  Dahl  is  a  Dane  bv  birth :  bavins  been  born  in  Denmark  in  1838.  He  left  his  native  country  in  1861  and 
located  in  Granville  in  that  year.  His  wife  was  formerly  Mary  Blake,  born  in  Granville.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren—Nettie T.,  Mary  L.,  Percy  E.,  and  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  trustees,  like- 
wise a  member  of  the  town  council  three  years.  During  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  lC4th  111.  Volunteers  and  was 
discharged  through  disability  in  1863.  J.  P.  Dahl,  a  brother  of  the  above,  was  born  in  1822,  came  to  the  United 


668  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

States  in  1866  and  to  Granville  in  1879.  He  married  Abigail  H.  Davis  in  1868.  They  nave  one  child,  Adda  J.  He 
was  formerly  a  shipwiight  and  sailed  in  a  Danish  ship  to  Australia,  where  he  followed  mining  several  years  and 
then  made  several  voyages  between  Boston  and  China  in  an  American  vessel.  Was  shipwrecked  on  bis  last  voyage 
and  went  to  Vermont  where  he  bought  a  saw  mill,  sold  it  in  1879  and  with  h  s  brother  went  to  keeping  bees  in  Gran- 
ville.  They  deal  in  Italian  bees,  hives  and  pure  honey,  at  wholesale  and  retail. 

JOHN  FOLEY. 

A  farmer,  residing  on  section  20.  Postoffice,  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Alleghaney  county,  Pa.,  in  1819;  in 
1845  married  Rachel  Burnside,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  and  in  1851  immigrated  to  this  county.  They  have 
eight  children  living— Mary  D.,  James  B.,  Henry  M.,  William  C.,  Mattie  H.,  Annie  M.,  Elmer  E.  and  Edward  F. 
They  are  all  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  Mr.  Foley  has  been  an  elder  for  the  last  21  years.  He 
has  also  been  school  director  some  fiteen  years,  and  road  commissioner  six  years.  He  owns 267  acres  of  land. 

JOHN  F.  KUHNE. 

Farmer,  Granville,  Putnam  County,  111. . 

JOHN  I.  PETERSON. 

A  tanner,  living  on  section  28.  Postoffice,  Hennepin.  He  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1839.  being  a  son  of 
the.late  Isaac  Peterson,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  who  died  in  1875.  In  1864  Mr.  Peterson  married  Jane 
Elizabeth  Wangh,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  four  children— Nellie  A.,  William  A.,  Armelia  L.  and 
Frank  1.  lie  has  occupied  the  position  of  road  commissioner  for  the  last  three  years.  Owns  in  partnership  with 
hu  brother  360  acres  of  improved  land  and  19U  acres  of  pasture  and  timber  land. 

WILLIAM  B.  SILL. 

Mr.  Sill  is  a  farmer  living  on  sectien  17  Postoffice.  Granville  he  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Ohio,  in  1838, 
came  to  lllninois  in  1852,  locating  in  La  Halle  county  and  thenca  moved  to  Granville  in  1860.  In  1864  he  went  to 
Montana,  engaged  in  mining  four  years,  followed  stock  raising  about  eight  years  wr.cl  in  1S76  returned  to  Gran- 
ville. In  1874  he  married  Mattie  A.  Harper,  a  native  of  this  county,  They  have  one  child,  Minnie  Montana. 
Mrs.  Sill  died  in  1879.  Mr.  Bill  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  owns  a  finely  cultivated  farm  with  first-class  im- 
provements. 

B.  H.  SMITH. 

Farmer,  born  in  New  London,  Conn.,  in  1803,  he  resided  in  his  native  state  and  in  Hcrkimer  and  Orleans 
counties.  New  York,  until  1847,  when  he  came  west  and  located  in  Magnolia  township.  In  1829  he  married  Philena 
Morton,  who  was  born  in  South  Deerfield,  Mass.,  in  1811 .  They  have  had  eight  children,  of  whom  there  are  now 
living  Julia.  (L  .ughlin),  Charles  E.,  Edward,  Sarah  A.  (Warlaw),  Chester  M.  and  Augusta.  They  celebrated  their 
golden  wedding  in?1879and  have  twenty-five  grand  children  living.  Mr.  Smith  w«s  for  several  years  commissioner 
of  highways  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors.  He  also  served  as  commissioner  of  .highways  while  a 
resident  of  New  York.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  for  fifty  years.  Owns  3CO  acres  of  land. 

WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

Florid,  Illinois. 

GEORGE  PACKINHAM. 

Granville,  Illinois. 

CHRISTIAN  OPPER. 

Mr.  Opper,  comes  from  the  province  of  Hesse  Cassell  in  Germany  when  he  was  born  in  1838.  He  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1855,  locating  in  Granville  began  his  present  business  which  he  has  followed  for  twenty-five  years. 
In  1868  he  married  Elizabeth  Schneider,  a  countrywoman  of  his,  and  together  they  have  five  children  living,  Helen 
E.,  Emma  A.  .Henry  W  .  Mary  A.  and  Bertha.  Are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr,  Opper  is  a  hard 
worker  and  a  good  mechanic. 

HENRY  AND  JASON  L.  HAWKINS. 

These  individuals  are  farmers  on  Section  9,  and  their  postoffice  address  is  Granville.  They  were  born  in  Ver- 
mont and  settled  in  Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  in  1855  and  in  this  county  in  1862.  J.  L.  Hawkins  married  Lydia 
Harkness  in  1867,  born  in  New  York.  They  have  one  child.  Himselt  and  father  are  in  the  creamery  business  and 
agente  for  Cooley's  creamery.  They  make  a  very  supericr  article  of  butter  and  are  demonstrating  that  our  rich  prai- 
ries are  just  the  places  for  dairying. 

STEPHEN  HARRISON. 

Mr.  Harrison  is  a  native  of  Dauphin  county  Pa,,  which  seems  to  have  furnished  a  liberal  proportian  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Putnam  county.  He  was  born  in  1824,  came  to  the  state  in  1837,  locating  in  Putnam  county  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  In  1850  he  married  Mary  E.  Dunleavy,  a  man  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  the  county . 
They  have  ten  children— Ellen  F.,  MaryC.,Charles  D.,  Clara  E.,  Jas.  D.,  Olive  N.,  Richard  H.,  HattieV.,Gracie  F.and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  669 

Stephen  K.  Are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Granville  in  which  Mr.  Harrison  has  served  as  deacon  for 
many  years.  He  owns  368  acres  in  his  home  farm  under  thorough  cultivation  and  124  at  Union  Grove.  Mr.  Harri- 
son's fine  residence  is  very  pleasantly  located  and  the  country  surrounding  is  singularly  beantiful. 

JOHN  HOLLY. 

Mr.  Holly  lives  on  section  33,  in  Granville  township.  He  was  born  in  G-ermany  in  1822  and  emigrated  along 
witn  his  parents  to  this  country  in  1832,  living  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  until  1840,  when  he  came  to  Putnam  county. 
In  1855  he  mrrried  Eliza  Noffzinger,  a  countrywoman  of  his  who  bore  him  seven  children,  Emma,  Helen,  Albert, 
Theodore,  Ida,  Charles  and  William.  He  has  served  several  years  as  school  director,  and  owns  a  finely  cultivated 
farm  of  110  acres.  He  is  an  intelligent  and  enterprising  German  American. 

JOHN  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1809,  came  to  Bond  county,  HI.,  in  1819  and  to  Putnam  county 
in  1830  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county  and  lives  upon  the  farm  he  located  fifty  yeawago.  He 
owns  240  acres  of  land  under  good  cultivation.  Alexander  Moore,  a  brother  of  the  above,,  likewise  was  born  in 
Oh''o  in  1815  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1831.  He  married  Mary  Bowman  in  1879,  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa. 
I  hey  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  owns  180  acres  of  land.  Andrew  Moore,  father  of  the  above,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1332  and  ard  died  in  1845,  leaving  nine  children. 

MICHAEL  SKOWENA. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  lives  on  section  35,  and  was  bom  in  Germany  in  1844  and  came  to  the  United  States 
186S.  He  first  located  in  La  Salle  county  and  remained  there  eight  years  after  which  he  settled  in  Putnam.  In  1857 
he  mirried  Effie  Novolk,  born  in  Poland.  The>  have  four  children,  John,  Joseph,  Martin  and  Frank.  Are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church  in  La  Salle.  He  owns  one  hundred  acres  under  cultivation  and  in  timber,  and  has  very 
good  improvements  upon  it. 

C.  W.  DYSART. 

Mr.  1  l.ysart  was  born  on  the  place  he  now  occupies  in  1847,  his  father  being  one  of  earliest  setllers  of  Putnam 
county.  His  wife  was  formerly  Mary  E,  Haywood,  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  To  them  were  born  four  children, 
Hannah  J..  Archibald  H.,  Lucy  M  and  Joseph  W.  They  are  communicants  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which 
Mr.  1).  is  an  influential  member,  being  trustee  and  elder.  He  owfli  two  hundred  acres  of  land  under  good  culti- 
vation . 

HENRY  SCHNEIDER. 

Mr.  Schneider  is  a  Prussian  by  birth,  from  whence  he  emigrated  in  1857,  when  thirty-one  years  old.  His  wife 
was  a  fellow  countrywomen  with  himself,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1859.  They  have  two  children,  John  and 
Katie,  and  are  members  of  t  e  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Schneider  is  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school,  and 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  church  and  educational  matters.  He  owns  a  good  farm  of  80  acres,  and  is  an  unusually  in- 
telligent and  well  read  Grerman  American  farmer. 

DAVID  L.  PACKINGHAM. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Packingham  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1834,  and  shared  in  all  the  hardships  attendant  up- 
on settling  a  new  country.  The  subject  of  the  present  sketch  was  born  in  1850,  and  In  1879  married  Myrtie  Fuller, 
born  in  Sansfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1861.  He  owns  a  well  cultivated  farm  of  120  acres. 

JAMES  C.  PACKINGHAM. 

Mr.  Pdckingham  lives  on  section  16,  and  was  born  in  Granville  township.  His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Gracie 
Penniman,  and  her  native  place  Vermont.  They  were  married  in  1872,  and  two  children  bless  the  union,  Frank  F. 
and  Lucy  May.  He  owns  120  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  and  is  thrifty,  energetic  and  successful. 

TALLMAN  SELLEY. 

The  subject  of  tbis  sketch  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  in  1844.  When  the  war  broke  out 
he  was  living  in  this  state,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  offer  his  services,  going  out  in  the  13th  111.  Vol.,  and  partici- 
pating in  all  the  haid  fought  battles  in  which  it  was  engaged.  When  his  term  of  service  expired  he  went  into  the 
Board  of  Trade  Battery.  Chicago,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Receiving  his  discharge,  he  returned  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  Granvllle,  where  he  married  Cornelia  Ham  and  turned  farmer.  They  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  8.  cultivates  140  acres  of  land,  and  proves  that  good  soldiers  make  good  neighbors  and 
generally  succeed  in  their  undertakings. 

JOHN  PIERCE  BLAKE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  WarwicV,  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  July  2,  1803.  He  attended  the  ordin- 
ary schools  of  the  place,  and  after  two  years  of  preparation  at  the  academy  in  Mendon,  N.  H.,  he  entered  Amherst 
College,  but  «evere  attention  to  studies  ruined  his  health  and  compelled  him  to  leave  after  three  years  study.  He 
chose  surveying  as  a  pofession  ani  removed  west  at  an  early  day,  and  was  appointed  trustee  of  school  lands  by  the 
circuit  court  of  Putnam  couuty  in  1833.  He  was  also  elected  trustee  of  Granville  township  school  funds,  which  po- 


670  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

sition  he  held  until  1877.  Was  commissioned  judge  of  probate  court  in  1833,  was  appointed  deputy  surveyor  in  1836, 
and  served  either  as  official  or  deputy  surveyor  up  to  1867,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  business  31  years,  until 
obliged  by  increasing  infirmities  to  discontinue  his  labors.  Has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Zilpah  At- 
wood,  whom  he  wedded  June  11, 1833.  She  was  born  in  Warwick,  Mass.  They  had  eight  children,  John  A.,  Aaaon 
A.,  (killed  in  the  Confederate  army  in  East  Tennessee),  Mary  A.,  (Mrs.  Dahl).  Edward  E.,  Theodore  D.,  Ellen  C., 
Amelia  and  Jeannette.  Mrs.  Blake  died  March  8, 1845.  In  1847  he  married  Mary  Smith,  his  present  wife,  born  in 
Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  1823.  They  have  five  children,  Karsey  8.,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  and  now  a  teacher 
in  a  school  for  boys  in  New  York  ;  Martha  D..  a  graduate  of  the  Woman's  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia  ;  Orella, 
a  graduate  of  Wheaton  College  ;  Ellea  C.  and  Theda  Pierce.  Mr.  Blake  has  been  a  prominent  member  of  society 
in  chnrch  and  school  for  many  years,  has  been  actively  connected  with  Sabbath  schools  all  his  life,  and  having  per- 
formed his  full  duty  is  ready  to  lay  aside  the  harness  when  his  Master  calls.  He  gave  his  children  the  benefits  of  a 
thorough  education  and  provided  for  them  in  other  ways.  Few  men  can  show  a  more  honorable  record  than  he. 

BEECHER  W.  NEWPORT. 

A  1ip£ier,  born  in  this  township,  in  1825,  on  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  in  section  32  Postoffice.  Hennepin.  In 
1875  he  married  Nettie  (runn,  also  a  native  of  the  township.  They  have  two  children.— Mary  Irene  and  Leander 
Collins.  Mrs.  Newport  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  owns  200  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultiva- 
tion. His  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  county. 

PRICE  PURVIANCE. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  January  5, 1830,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  came  with 
his  parents  to  this  county.  They  located  on  section  33,  Granville  township,  and  the  claim  and  dwelling  are  still  oc- 
cupied by  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  parents  were  James  and  Margaret  Purviance,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  at  Bed  Stone,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1877.  Mrs.  Pnrvianee,  who  is  still  living  with  her  son  on  the  old  homestead,  is  a 
native  of  Maryland  Mr.  Purviance  is  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  clerk  of  that  body.  His  postoffice  ad- 
dress is  Hennepin. 

R.  S.  ROBINSON. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  born  in  Bond  county,  Illinois,  in  1831  and  came  here  with  with  his  parents  in  1831.  The 
county  was  a  desert  then  and  roaming  bands  of  Indians  peopled  the  river  bottoms.  In  1852,  Mr.  Robinson  having 
arrived  at  man's  estate,  married  Sarah  Weeks,  born  in  Caldwell  connty,  Ky.,  They  havJ  ten  children,  Henry,  Lee, 
Frances  W.,  Robertas  8,.  Mary  A.,  Helen  M.,  John  W,,  Charles  it.,  Joseph  E..  Silas  M.  and  William  L.  Mr.  Robin- 
son is  a  large  farmer,  owning  230  acres  of  land  under  cultivation. 

THOMAS  C.  THORN. 

Mr.  Thorn  is  a  tinsmith  by  trade  and  carries  on  the  business  in  connection  with  the  sale  of  groceries  at  his 
store  in  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1835  and  came  west  in  1855.  In  1857  he  maarried 
Mary  E.  Zftnor,  of  Hennepin,  and  to  them  eight  children  have  been  born.  John,  George,  Laura,  Elizabeth,  Willie, 
Absalom.  Mem  and  Harley.  Mr.  Thorn  has  long  filled  the  office  of  town  clerk,  has  served  as  justiceofthe  peace, 
member  of  iMfctown  council  and  director  of  schools.  He  is  a  good  citizen,  weil  informed  upon  matters  of  public 
importance  SHO  comfortably  supplied  with  this  world's  goods. 

P.  L.  CHILD";.  ^ 

Mr.  Chil^(deceased)  was  born  in  Windsor,  Vt.,  in  1818.  He  came  to  Putnam  Co.  in  1836,  and  purchased  the  place 
where  he  afterward  lived  in  in  1841.  Two  years  previous  he  married  Margaret  L.  Dysart,  born  in  York  county.  Pa., 
in  1813,  and  there  was  bom  to  them  six  children,  fusan  E.,  Clarinda.  Lucinda,  A.  P.,  Kate  L.  and  David  W.,  the  lat- 
ter no  longer  living.  A.  P.  married  Miss  Henshaw,  a  native  of  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  1872,  and  ban  three  children, 
William  L.,  A.  3.  and  Edwin  H.  Mr.  Child  was  a  leading  man  in  the  community,  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
many  years,  and  held  five  offices  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  presided  at  the  Ramsay  inquest  when  the  latter  was 
hung  by  a  mob,€ts  detailed  elsewhere.  He  served  several  terms  as  supervisor,  and  was  a  very  popular  auctioneer,  in 
which  capacity  his  son  promises  to  excel  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  671 


SENACHWINE  TOWNSHIP. 


AARON  JEFFERS. 

Mr.  Jeffers  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaiah  and  Elizabeth  Jeffers.  He  camo  to 
Michigan  in  1857,  and  enlisted  in  the  19th  Michigan  Vol.  Inft.,  served  nearly  three  years,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  the  close  of  the  war.  March  6, 1863,  he  was  captured  at  Thompson's  Station,  and  paroled  the  following 
month  from  Libby  prison.  Re-entering  the  service  after  exchange,  he  took  part  in  the  fight  at  Reaaca.  Ga..  at  Case- 
ville,  at  Burnt  Hickory,  and  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  where  Hood  was  so  severely  whipped,  the  captured  Johunies  re- 
porting he  had  but  "one  good  killing  left."  After  this  he  followed  Sherman  "to  the  »ea,"  and  thence  to  Goldsboro. 
N.  C.,  Richmond,  Washington,  and  finally  home.  In  1865  ho  came  to  Chillicothe,  111.,  where  he  lived  until  1869, 
when  he  went  to  Iowa,  and  returning  went  into  the  service  of  the  T.  P.  &  W.  at  Peoria,  where  he  lived  until  coming 
to  Putnam  county.  He  married  Celia  inn  Thompson  and  has  one  child,  born  in  1875.  (Since  the  above  was  writ- 
ten Mr.  J.  has  died.) 

HENRY  HUNTER. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  born  in  Cortland  county,  New  York,  June  4, 1815,  and  was  a  son  of  Edward  and  Rhoda  Tnttle 
Hunter.  His  father  came  from  Vermont  and  Wiis  of  Scotch  descent,  while  his  mother  claimed  a  German  ancestry. 
Was  married  Jan.  1. 1840,  to  Henrietta  Turrell,  daughter  of  ^bal  B.  and  Susan  M.  Turrell,  of  Tompkins  county.  New 
York.  They  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter  living.— Mrs.  Mary  B.  Orr,  of  Mahaeka.  Iowa,  and  Henry  E.  and  Wm 
A.,  living  at  home.  Their  eldest  son.  Stephen  Hunter,  enlisted  in  the  113th  Reg.,  serving  under  Gen.  Sherman,  and 
died  of  smallpox  March  7, 1864,  at  Camp  Butler.  Springfild.  III.  Mr.  H.  came  west  in  1H56,  and  the  following  spring 
purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  In  1859  went  to  Pike's  Peak  and  tried  mining,  returning  in  December  of 
the  same  year.  In  1860  he  went  again,  and  after  a  few  months  experience  returned  and  resumed  farming.  During 
the  rebellion  he  served  his  township  as  supervisor,  and  sent  34  substitutes  to  the  field.  Is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  held  the  position  of  elder  therein  since  1853. 

CHAUNCEY  D.  HAWKINS. 

Was  born  in  Wallingford,  Rutland  county,  Vt..  March  31.  1829.  Son  of  Isaac  B.  and  Betsey  Hawkins,  who 
moved  to  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York,  in  1832,  where  they  lived  about  twelve  years,  thence  moved  to  Buffalo,  N. 
Y..  at  which  time  Chauncey  commenced  his  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner.  In  the  summer  of  1847  moved  to  Lake 
county,  Illinois,  and  lived  there  six  years.  Thence  to  Clintonville,  and  in  I860  came  to  this  town,  where  he  still  re- 
sides, carrying  on  his  vocation  of  carpenter  ana  joiner-  Was  married  in  June,  1849,  to  Christina  Soule,  daughter  of 
William  and  Angeline  Simle,  of  Antioch,  Lake  conntv.  111.  Has  five  children.  Amanda,  Rosemer,  Nettie,  William 
and  Minnie.  Amanda  married  Charles  Grubbs,  and  Rosemer  George  Griswold.  Both  live  in  this  township.  Mr. 
Hawkins  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Henry  Lodge,  119,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

NORMAN  I.  PETERS. 

Mr.  Peters  was  boin  in  Cato,  Caynga  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1839.  Son  of  Norman  and  Mary  E.  Peters.  Lived  there 
until  15  years  of  age.  Came  to  this  state,  town  and  county  in  1854.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  113th  111.  Vol.  Infantry. 
Served  about  three  years  in  the  army  of  the  Tennessee  under  General  Sherman.  Was  discharged  at  Memphis  in 
1865  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Since  then  he  resided  eight  years  in  Bureau  county,  carrying  on  a  farm  of  160  acres. 
Removed  to  Iowa,  and  returned  to  Senachwine  three  years  ago,  where  he  has  resided,  doing  a  general  merchandizing. 
Mr.  Peters  contemplates  moving  to  Caledonia,  this  county,  and  will  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits  as  here.  He  mar- 
ried in  1866  Susan  L.  Merritt,  of  Bureau  county.  Has  six  children,- Flori  A..  Joseph  N.,  Eber  F.,  Hulda  J.,  Edith 
and  Ira. 

CLARA  E.  MORGAN. 

Mrs.  Morgan  was  a  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Cook  and  Leonora  Comes,  of  Herkimer,  Oneida  county.  New  York, 
and  granddaughter  of  Ebenezer  Cook,  of  Augusta,  Oneida  county,  born  January  21, 1818,  and  came  to  Hennepin  in 
1836.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  she  was  united  in  marriage  to  Thomas  Morsran,  of  Hennepin.  formerly  of  New  York, 
the  wedding  being  long  noted  for  the  large  party  assembled,  the  elaborateness  of  the  display,  the  number  und 
value  of  the  bridal  presents  and  the  richness  of  the  toilettes.  Mr.  Morgan  was  a  carpenter  in  early  life,  but  in  1838 
began  farming  in  Senachwine  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1868.  Eight  children  were  given  them— 
six  died  in  infancy  and  two  survive — Helen  Josephine,  born  in  1840,  and  Dwight  Eilston  in  1846.  Both  reside  in 


672  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Senachwine  village.  Mr.  D.  E.  Morgan  wedded  Sarah  Whitney,  daughter  of  Brooks  Whitney,  of  Henry,  and  has 
had  seven  children —Fred,  Thomas,  Clara  Esther,  Nellie  Leonora,  Charles  Dwight.  Frank  Brooks,  Lewis  Cook,  and 
Geo.  Bvron.  Nellie  Leonora  died  when  eight  years  old.  W,  E  Cook,  of  Lacon,  whose  portrait  is  given  elsewhere, 
was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Morgan.  Another  brother,  James  Wateon,  died  in  Henrv  in  1859;  William  Francis  in  1852,  of 
cholera.  HobartC.  B  icon  was  killed  at  a  steamboat  explosion  in  1856.  Another  half  brother  died  Nov.  3,  I860.  A 
sister,  Mrs.  Captain  L.  N.  Packard,  lives  in  Oregon.  Mrs.  Morgan  is  very  pleasantly  situated  in  Senachwine  village, 
where  she  is  honored  with  the  position  of  post  mistress,  which  she  holds  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Depart- 
ment. Her  life  has  been  a  bnsy  one,  and  she  has  ably  conducted  her  business  affairs. 

THOMAS  M.  PURCELL. 

Mr.  Purcell  was  horn  in  Medina,  Orleans  countv,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1858.  Sun  of  Morgan  and  Ellen  Purcell.  His 
grandfather,  Thomas  Purcell  and  wife  Mary,  as  also  his  maternal  grandfather,  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Whalen,  came 
from  Tipperary  county,  Ireland.  Came  to  this  township  in  1861.  Has  resideded  here  ever  since  in  the  occupation 
of  farming,  as  also  has  his  father.  Morgan  Purcell.  Has  five  brothers  and  sisters,  as  follows :  Mary.  Libbie,  Ellen, 
John  M.  and  Joanna,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  with  Mrs.  Ellen  Purcell,  their  mother.  Mr.  Purcell,  senior,  died 
in  1871. 

EDWARD  L.  Cook. 

Mr.  Cook  was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1825.  Was  a  son  of  Barnabas  and  Lvdia  Cook.  Was  married 
in  1847  to  Letitia  8.  Trask,  of  New  York,  and  have  three  children  living,— Martin  V?.,  Fred  C.,  Walter  E.  Until  1848 
was  engaged  in  f  arming  in  Chan tano.ua  county,  N.  Y.  Then  was  engaged  for  four  years  in  lumbering  on  the  Western 
Reserve  of  Ohio.  Returning  to  his  old  homestead,  resumed  his  former  vocation  a*  farmer  until  1860,  when  he 
moved  west  to  his  present  home  in  Senachwine.  Was  among  the  first  in  building  up  the  village.  Entered  the  mer- 
cantile business  and  remained  in  it  until  1865.  Occupied  various  positions,  as  express  agent,  insurance  agent,  etc., 
until  1871,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster.  Has  been  justice  of  the  peace,  notary,  etc. 

HENRY  D.  WINSHIP. 

Mr.  Winship  was  born  in  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  111.,  May  19, 1637.  He  was  a  son  of  Ralph  and  Lucetta 
Cooley,  formerly  of  New  Hartfor  j,  New  York.  At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  for  Minnesota,  and  entered  a 
lumber  camp;  afterward  ensraged  in  Government  surveying.  In  1861  he  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  in  Liv- 
ingston county,  and  entered  the  service  under  Colonel  Hovey,  in  the  33i  Illinois  Infantry ;  participated  in  all  the 
battles  of  the  Western  Department,  under  Generals  Steel  and  Curtis ;  in  1864  was  promoted  to  a  Captain  in  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  28J  Army  Corps,  under  General  Schofield;  was  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  James; 
served  in  the  seiges  of  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  thence  to  Texas  under  General  Sheridan ;  was  honorably  dis- 
charged March  6, 1866,  having  served  four  years  and  eleven  months.  He  was  married  on  J  uly  4,  1860,  to  Clara  8. 
Cox,  of  Manlius,  Bureau  county.  They  have  four  children— Clarence,  Lee,  James  M.  and  Sidney.  Mr.  W.  followed 
farming  and  engineering  for  several  years  subsequent  to  the  war,  and  during  the  last  two  years  has  been  manufac- 
turing tile  and  brick. 

JOHN  FRANK  MOKLER. 

Mr.  Mokler  was  born  in  the  city  of  Boston,  in  1834,  being  a  son  of  James  and  Margaret  Bailey  Mokler.  He 
was  educated  at  the  Catholic  College  tor  the  priesthood,  in  Worcester,  Mass.  After  leaving  college  he  learned  th3 
carriage  ironing  trade  in  Sudbury  street,  Boston,  came  west  in  1857.  and  located  at  Aurora,  111.:  thence  to  Wilming- 
ton; thence  to  Oxbow,  Putnam  county,  where  he  resided  thirteen  years;  thence  to  Whitcfield  Corners.  Marshall 
county;  thence  came  to  Senachwine,  where  he  has  resided  four  years.  Mr.  Mokler  retains  his  old  tastes  for  literary 
pursuits,  and  spends  his  leisure  in  reading  and  writing.  Under  the  nom  de  plume  of  "  Sampson,"  in  the  Henry  RE- 
PUBLICAN, will  be  fo"nd  many  racy  articles  from  his  pan.  Is  correspondent  under  other  nons  de  plume.  Was  mar- 
ried in  the  year  1857  to  Elvina  Biedlenmn,  daughter  of  Dr.  H.  B  Biedleman,  formerly  of  Henry,  111.  Has  ten  chil- 
dren, five  boysand  five  girls,— Mary  E.,  Herbert  R.,  Alfred  J.,  Charles  A.,  Wilson,  Elviua  Francis,  Harriet  B.,  Vic- 
tor, Clara,  baby. 

DON  C.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  in  1820  and  is  a  son  of  William  M.  and  Hannah  Smith. 
He  learned  the  ship  carpenter's  trade  f  or  a  prof  ession  and  in  1843  sailed  a  vessel  on  the  lakes,  of  which  he  was  part 
owner.  In  1815  he  sailed  for  Liverpool  as  ship  captain,  in  1846  was  at  Hayti  during  the  Spanish  insurrection,  visited 
most  of  the  West  India  Islands,  following  the  sea  for  12  years.  Came  to  Chicago  in  1847  and  to  Bureau  county  in 
1858  wheie  he  lived  sixteen  years.  He  enlisted  in  the  66th  Regiment  and  served  until  disabled  by  a  eun  shot  wound 
when  he  was  mustered  out.  In  1859  he  married  Margaret  E.Cnx,  and  moveJ  to  Senatchwine  in  1875.  They  have 
one  son. 

JAMES  ALFRED  WOOLEY. 

Mr.  Wooley  was  born  May  6, 1811,  in  Chesterfield,  England.  In  1832  left  home,  and  while  on  his  voyage  to 
this  country  was  wrecked  on  the  Fayal  Islands.  Reaching  New  York,  he  went  directly  to  Albany,  where  he  was 
employed  in  Dr.  Nott's  foundry.  Found  employment  in  various  places;  thence  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  resided  nearly  six  years,  following  his  usual  vocation.  He  came  to  the  State  of  Illinois  in  1842.  and  located  in 
Senachwine  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  directly  from  the  Government;  afterward  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  073 

eighty-acre  farms,  oh'e  o'f  which  he  sold,  and  built  a  store  at  Senachwine.  He  was  married  in  1836  to  Martha  Ann 
Williams,  dangh'*r  of  Thoraasand  Frances  Hunter  Williams,  of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Wooley  has  six  children  living 
as  follows:  Susanah,  William  P., Kate  James  Alfred.  Fanny  and  Priscella  Angeline.  William  resides  in  Iowa;and 
James  A.,  a  physician,  in  Occident,  Sonoma  county,  Cal.  As  an  occulist  Mr.  Wooley  has  had  much  practice  and 
experience,  and  has  been  most  successful  in  his  treatment. 

JOHN  CLAYTON  ROLLEY. 

Mr.  Rolley  was  born  in  Manchester  England,  in  1619,  and  was  a  son  of  Charles  Hanson  and  Ma-garet  Clayton 
of  the  same  p'ace.  In  the  spring  of  1843  he  came  to  America,  and  to  Hopewell  township.  Marshall  county.  111.  IB 
1851  he  became  a  grain  buyer,  shipping  the  first  full  cargo  of  wheat  from  the  town  of  Henry  to  Chicago,  and  pre- 
vious to  that  time,  in  1848,  loaded  the  first  boat  that  came  south  from  LaSalle  at  Hall's  Landing.  From  time  to 
lime  he  has  been  engazed  in  the  grain  trade  and  occupying  various  places  of  trust.  In  1849  married  Belinda  Jane, 
daughter  of  William  and  Erne  Bowman,  of  Magnolia,  this  county.  They  have  four  children,  three  sons  and  one 
daughter— Charles  William,  who  resides  in  Missouri;  Clayton  Eugene,  Wichita,  Kansas:  Mary  Jane,  Henry,  this 
State;  Tulasco  Harrison,  also  of  Henry.  Mrs.  Kolley  died  in  the  year  1863. 

SAMUEL  H.  CONDIT. 

Mr.  Condit  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1831.  and  was  a  son  of  Courtland  and  Mary  L.  Teneich  Oondit.  Mr. 
Condit,  senior,  was  a  merchant,  dealing  in  groceries,  on  the  corner  of  Broom  and  Bowery  streets.  Making  a  trip 
into  ll)ino:s  and  as  far  as  Madison  county  in  1834,  with  the  intention  of  locating,  returned  home  and  with  hi* 
family  came  back  in  1835,  where  he  remained  one  year;  thence  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  the  autumn  of  1836,  and 
pursued  farming  until  he  died  in  August,  1870.  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Condit  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until 
he  was  married  in  1865  to  liachael  A  bacon,  danghter  of  Samuel  C.  and  Deborah  A.  Morgan,  of  New  York  SIM  U. 
>ir.  Condit  has  nine  children —Martin  L.,  Ann  A.,  Pluma  C.,  Charles  R.,  Emma  E.,  Minnie  E.,  Belle  M  .  Samuel  C. 
B.  and  William  B.  Mr.  Condit  has  held  several  offices  of  the  town,  as  supervisor,  town  clerk,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  justice  of  the  peace.  It  is  due  to  Mr.  Bacon,  father  of  Mrs  Condit,  to  state  that  as  an  old  citizen  of  Ibis 
place,  from  1K37  to  1869,  he  WHS  largely  interested  not  only  as  a  landholder,  but  as  a  man  who  was  identified  in  the 
welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  place.  He  now  resides  in  Austin,  Minnesota. 

•    4 

WILLIAM  WHEELER. 

Mr.  Wheeler  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  February  24. 1842.  He  is  the  son  of  Ira  and  Susan  Lee  Wheeler, 
who  came  from  New  York  state  in  1832  and  settled  in  Ohio,  where  they  lived  until  1848.  when  they  moved  to  Fulton 
county.  111.,  lived  there  until  1863.  and  moved  thence  to  Putnam  county.  In  1864  he  married  Malvina  Read, 
daash'er  of  Philip  and  Trvphena  Davis  Re  id,  formerly  from  Fall  River,  Mass.  They  have  four  children— Charles 
W,,  Chettie  'P.,  Lizzie  M.  aud  'Jllo.  Mr.  Wheeler  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county,  embracing  820  acres 
and  the  Samuel  Bacon  place.  He  purchased  it  about  six  years  ago. 

ADAM  B.  HENKINS. 

Mr,  Henkins  was  born  in  Green  county.  Pa.,  in  1826,  and  was  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  Brown  Hen- 
kins.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  with  his  family,  consisting  of  Rawley,  Andrew  P.,  Elijah,  Christina,  Catherine, 
Susan.  Margaret,  Elizabeth,  Martha  Jane,  Mary  and  Amanda.  Adam  and  Elijah  reside  in  this  township,  and 
Rawley  in  Missouri.  Mr.  H.  owns  about  500  acres  of  land  in  this  township  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Sarah 
Jane  Dawson.  daughter  of  Mercer  and  Cassandra  Dawson,  of  Monongahela  county,  Va.  They  have  six  children— 
Jahn,  Commodore  F.,  Jacob  8.,  Adam,  Miles  W.  and  Susan  L.  All  are  at  home  or  at  school. 

HIRAM  STICKEL. 

Mr.  Stickel  was  bom  July  6,  1822,  in  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Neili 
Stickel,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1834  and  located  in  Bureau  county.  In  1849  Mr.  Stickel  married  Sarah 
J,  Bracken,  daughter  of  Adison  and  Mary  Bracken.  They  have  six  children,  all  living  — Adison  Marion,  Marietta, 
Albert,  Cyrus  II.,  William  and  Lina.  Marietta  married  William  Brown,  and  is  a  resident  of  Dallas  county,  Iowa. 
November  last  Mr.  Stickel  moved  to  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  his  children  the  benefit  of 
the  best  schools  there.  He  has  served  as  school  director  for  many  years;  has  also  been  supervisor,  road  commis- 
sioner, etc.  He  owns  1080  acres  of  land  in  this  state  and  560  acres  located  in  the  state  of  Iowa,  and  deals  largely  iu 
cattle. 

JAMES  R.  TALIAFERRO. 

1  he  subject  of  this  sketch  is  probably  the  oldest  resident  living  in  the  township.  He  was  born  in  Claremont 
county,  Ohio.  Oct.  10. 1810  and  was  a  son  of  Richard  and  Rebecca  Riddle  Taliaferro,  both  from  Virginia.  He  lived 
in  Ohio  until  18  years  of  age  and  then  worked  his  way  on  a  keel  boat  to  New  Orleans  where  he  lived  three  years. 
Returning  north  he  settled  in  Peoria  county  where  an  elder  brother  had  preceeded  him  and  was  the  first  to  settle 
where  Rome  now  is.  fn  1833  he  married  Charlotte  Cleaveland,  a  daughter  of  Resolve  and  Betsey  Cleaveland,  of 
Peoria  county,  and  to  them  was  born  eight  children,  but  two  of  whom  survive— Mrs.  Isabel  Worley,  of  McLean 
county,  and  Mrs.  Alice  J.  White,  at  present  living  at  the  old  hoaie.  Mr.  T.  ha^  been  a  leading  citizen  in  his  town- 
ship and  county  and  has  a  very  extensive  acquaintance.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  the  Reeves  gaugand  chiefly 
instrumental  in  bringing  them  to  justice.  When  Cam  Reeves  and  Allison  were  wanted  by  the  authorities,  and 


674 


RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


none  dare  mfke  their  arrest  r  e'followed  them  to  Pekin  alone,  caught  them  ten  miles  below  and  compelled  them  to 
return.  He  was  known  to  be  a  dead  shot  with  the  pistol'  was  cool  in  action  and  quick  in  execution  and  utterly 
fearless  of  consequences,  which  these  men  well  knew  and  when  he  overtook  them  and  made  known  his  business 
they  surrendered,  though  he  had  not  even  a  warrant  to  back  up  his  authority.  When  the  gang  was  finally  broken 
up  and  driven  away  he  was  present  counselling  and  assisting.  Mr.  Taliaterro  settled  upon  his  place  in  1834.  In 
the  rear  of  hip  residence  upon  a  picturesque  bluff  covered  with  pre-historic  remains  is  the  grave  of  the  noted  Indian 
Senachwinr,  whose  name  is  given  to  the  township.  The  place  was  long  a  favorite  resort  for  the  Indians  and  in  tbe 
winter  of  1384  5  Sbaubena  and  a  portion  of  his  tribe  were  camped  here.  Mr.  T.  has  a  pleasant  home  and  a  kindly 
greeting  for  all  who  have  claims  upon  his  friendship,  and  though  he  has  reached  the  age  allotted  to  man  by  the 
psalmist,  he  is  still  hale  and  hearty  and  bids  to  live  for  many  years. 

IRA  BARNHART. 

Mr.  Barnhart  was  bom  in  Marshall  county.  January  11th,  1836,  and  was  a  son  of  Peter  and  Ann  Hines  Barn- 
hart,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  township.  March  29,  1865,  he  married  Sarah  Frances  Sheldon, 
daughter  of  A.  M.  and  Mary  J.  Brightman  Sheldon,  who  were  from  old  New  England  stock.  Mr  Sheldon,  a  car- 
penter by  trade,  was  a  native  of  Providence,  and  Mrs.  Sheldon  of  Fall  River,  Mass.  They  came  West  and  located 
three  miles  south  of  Tiskilwa,  Bureau  county,  pursue  farming  as  an  occupation,  and  own  about  five  hundred 
acres  of  land.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnhart  hnve  been  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  Hattie  and 
Charles  Albert.  The  deceased  are  Henry  and  Jennie  Maud. 

JAMES  NEVIN  DERR. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa-,  June  22  1853,  in  a  house  then  owned  by  James  Buch- 
anan. His  parents  are  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his  mother  is  a  great-granddaughter  or  Gen.  Jos.  Heed,  of 
Revolutionary  fame.  His  father,  the  Rev,  J.  H.  IJerr,  is  a  minister  in  the  Reformed  church  of  N.  A.,  at  present 
preaching  at  Williamsport,  Pa.  Mr.  Derr  served  about  two  and  a  half  years  in  the  regular  army,  and  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Artillery  School  of  U.  S.  * ..  at  Fort  Monroe,  Virginia.  Since  his  discharge  from  the  army  in  1874.  he  was  en- 
gaged in  teaching  in  the  States  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  until  1877,  when  he  came  to  this  State,  in  which  be  is  still 
engaged  as  teacher  in  the  public  schools.  He  was  married  December  29, 1875,  to  Julia  A.  Howarth,  daughter  of 
Thomas  H-  d  Caroline  Howarth.  of  East  Norwalk,  Huron  county,  Ohio.  The  other  members  of  the  family  are  two 
daughters  -Julia  Bays,  and  Mabel. 

JOHN  GALVIN. 

Mr.  Galvin  was  born  in  Medford,  Mass.,  June  12th,  1836.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Ellen  Charlton  ( ialvin, 
of  Longford  county,  Ireland, who  had  eleven  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living,  viz.:  William,  Ellen,  Julia,  Peter, 
Thomas,  Margaret  and  John,  William,  who  resides  in  Ottawa,  111.,  served  three  years  in  the  army  in  Coggswell's 
Battery,  was  wounded,  and  honorably  discharged;  Ellen  married  John  Burke,  and  resides  in  Ottawa,  111. :  Julia 
married  Dennis  Walsh;  the  others  live  at  home  with  their  parents.  John  Galvin  when  a  boy  five  years  old  moved 
with  his  father  to  the  city  of  Boston,  where  they  lived  about  eight  years.  In  June  of  1849  they  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  Chicago,  where  the  father  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  gentlemen's  silk  hats;  remained  there  about  a 
year  and  a  half,  and  thence  removed  to  Ottawa,  III.,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  Here 
John  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he  carried  on  after  locating  in  Senachwine  in  1859  until  1875,  when  he 
commenced  farming  on  section  13.  In  February,  1879,  he  moved  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  owns  260  acres.  Dec. 
1, 1860.  he  married,  in  Ottawa,  111.,  Margaret  Murphy,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  McCristal,  of  Irish  descent. 
They  have  five  children— Virginia  G.,  Thomas  F.,  Mary  L.,  Margaret,  and  John  Charlton,  all  living  at  home.  Three 
brothers  of  Mrs.  Galvin  served  in  the  late  war— John  in  the  61th  reg't,  Thomas  in  U.  S.  Grant's  reg't  of  sappers  and 
miners,  and  Michael  in  the  6th  Wisconsin  battery.  Tbe  latter  died  iu  lluntsville,  Ala. 

CHARLES  DODD. 

Mr.  Dodd  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Va.,  August  20,  1823;  son  of  William  and  Mary  Stump  Dodd.  In 
1834  he  moved  to  Warren  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  February,  1857,  wnere  he  engaged  in  farming,  which 
he  pursued  for  fourteen  years;  then  embarked  in  the  grain,  produce  and  general  merchandizing  business.  Has 
held  the  offices  of  «chool  trustee  and  school  director.  In  September,  1857,  he  married  Emily  Perkins,  daughter  of 
Jesse  and  Amy  Perkins,  of  Kentucky,  pioneer  settlers  of  Leeper  township.  Bureau  county,  at  that  time  embraced  in 
Putnam  county,  Mrs.  Perkins  still  survives,  in  a  fair  degree  of  health,  at  the  advanced  age  of  78  years,  and  lives 
with  her  son  Alvin,  of  this  township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dodd  have  been  born  six  children,  four  of  which  are  living, 
Cyrena,  Rachel,  Alice,  Mary  E.  and  Henrietta.  C>rena,  now  Mrs.  Albert  Stickel,  resides  in  this  township.  Mrs. 
Dodd  died  January  7, 1871.  At. the  present  time  Mr.  Dodd  is  out  of  business,  except  that  of  negotiating  loans  and 
trading  in  Western  lands. 

O.  P.  CARROLL. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  ShefErld,  Bureau  county.  Feb.  23.  1845.  Moved  to  Aunawan,  Henry  county, 
about  the  year  1850.  Lived  on  a  farm  in  that  county  until  1861,  and  at  that  time  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at 
Annawan,  in  which  business  he  continued  until  the  spring  of  1863,  when  he  again  engaged  in  farming  until  March, 
1867.  and  then  engaged  in  tne  lumoer  business  with  his  brother,  C.  ff.  Carroll,  at  Chillicothe.  Peoria  county.  Mar- 
ried Miss  Clarissa  F.  Buttemore,  of  Annawan.  Oct.  26, 1868.  In  February,  1872,  sold  out  his  lumber  interests  and 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Green  River,  111.  At  that  place  his  wife  died,  June  15, 1873,  Was  appointed  agent 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  677 

for  the  0.  B.  I.  &  P.  B,  B  Co.  at  Green  Biver;  NOT,  1,  1873.  Married  Miss  Jennie  M.  Overmyer.  of  Henry  county, 
Dec,  26. 1875.  In  February,  1876,  resigned  his  position  aa  B.  B.  agent  at  Green  Biver,  and  was  appointed  at  Putnam 
Station,  Putnam  county.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  grain  and  B.  B.  business.  October  1, 1876,  was  reappointed  agent 
at  Green  Biver,  and  since  that  date  has  been  engaged  in  the  grain  and  B.  E,  business  at  Putnam  and  Green  Biver 
Stations.  Is  serving  his  second  term  as  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Senachwine,  and  at  the  present  time  is  school  di- 
rector of  district  No.  4,  township  No.  14.  Has  one  child— Lotta. 

THOMAS  REAL. 

Mr.  Seal  was  born  in  Limerick  county,  Ireland,  Oct.  23, 1833.  Son  of  Thomas  and  Winifred  McGrath  Beal, 
who  came  to  this  country  January  1, 1850;  landed  at  New  Orleans  and  came  directly  to  this  county  and  township, 
where  they  still  reside.  To  them  were  born  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows;  John,  Michael, 
Thomas.  Patrick  and  Philip.  John  resides  in  Livingston  county,  Michael  in  Bureau  county,  Patrick  in  Fillmore 
county,  Neb.,  and  Philip  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.  James  Jose  ph  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  under  the  Confed- 
erate flag,  while  his  brother  Michael,  under  the  stars  and  stripes,  commanded  a  company  of  Onion  soldiers  in  the 
Irish  Legion,  90th  I.  B.,  and  led  them  in  the  same  battle.  Martin,  another  brother,  died  at  Philo,  Champaign  Co., 
this  state.  In  1857  Thomas  mairied  Bridget  Griffin,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Prout  Griffin,  who  came  from 
Tipperary,  Ireland,  in  1852,  and  located  in  Marshall  county,  this  state.  His  homestead  consists  of  80  acres  in  sec.  25 
in  this  township,  and  he  owns  80  acres  in  sec.  31-  Has  been  living  upon  his  farm  since  1860.  Has  served  as  collector 
of  taxes.  Has  an  adopted  daughter,  Lizzie  Griffin  Beal,  seven  years  of  age. 

JEREMIAH  DRAKE. 

Mr.  Drake  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  October  15, 1838.  Son  of  Drury  and  Lydia  Furguson  Drake,  who 
had  born  to  them  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  four  of  whom  survive,  namely:  William,  of  Hennepin, 
Caleb,  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  Emily  Haselton,  of  Cass  county,  Iowa,  and  Jeremiah,  who  resides  in  Senachwine.  Jas. 
P.  Drake,  a  brother  of  the  above,  enlisted  in  1861  in  the  45th  Beg.  III.  Vol.,  and  died  of  fever  in  Alabama.  William 
and  Caleb  served  throughout  the  war,  and  were  mustered  out  at  the  close.  October  25,  1860.  J  cremiali  married  Miss 
Cirena  Perkins'  Has  three  children  living,— William  M.,  Ida  May  and  Lillie  Lu.  He  came  west  in  1845  with  his 
parents  and  located  in  Bureau  county,  and  in  1863  moved  to  Putnam  county.  Is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church 
of  Senachwine. 

JAMES  GILTNER. 

Mr.  Giltner  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Susannah  Giltcer,  and  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Indiana,  December, 
1825.  In  1849  moved  from  there  to  Marshall  county,  and  came  to  Senachwine,  Putnam  county,  in  1852.  Is  a  very 
prospering  farmer,  [n  1851  he  married  Henrietta  Rommal,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Susannah  Bommal,  of  Saxony, 
Germany.  To  them  were  born  five  children.— Sarah  E..  Henrietta,  Abraham  L.,  Anna  Eurena  and  Mary  Jane. 
Sarah  E.  married  Samuel  Case  and  resides  in  Bureau  county,  an'l  Henrietta  married  Henry  Downey  and  resides  in 
Senachwine.  The  bank  of  Holland  holds  in  trust  an  accumulated  fortune  of  $140,000.000  belonging  to  the  heirs  of 
the  family,  tt  came  through  an  ancestor  who  died  intestate,  and  evidence  is  being  collected  to  substantiate  the 
claims  of  the  present  heirs. 

CHAS.  W.  READ. 

Mr.  Bead  was  born  in  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  in  1827,  and  was  a  son  of  Philip  and  Tryphena  Davis  Read.  Mr. 
Bead,  senior,  was  a  native  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and  Mrs.  Bead  of  Fall  Biver.  Half  a  century  ago  Mr,  and  Mrs. 
Bead  left  their  old  homes  in  Massachusetts  and  went  west  as  far  as  Herkimer  couutv.  New  York.  Leaving  that 
State  they  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Putnam  county,  and  followed  farming  nntil  Mr.  R.'s  death  in  1843.  Mru. 
Read  still  survives  in  excellent  health  to  enjoy  the  prosperity  that  has  come  to  her  and  her  children.  Four  are  now 
living,  namely:  Mrs.  Winship,  Mrs.  Wheeler,  Roselia  and  the  subject  of  this  biography.  In  1S52  in  company  with 
Mr.  Winship  and  other  acquaintances  left  Princeton  with  an  ox  team,  crossed  the  plains  and  the  Rocky  Mountains 
for  California,  and  returned  home  in  theautnmn  of  1855.  having  spent  nearly  three  years:  was  engaged  in  mining, 
and  had  fair  success  in  his  operations.  Has  held  the  offices  of  collector  several  times,  assessor,  constable,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church,  Senachwine, 

WILLIAM  HUNTER  WILLIAMS. 

Mr.  Williams  lives  on  section  19,  township  14  west,  range  10  east,  Putnam  county.  111.  The  ancestors  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  were  John  Williams,  a  native  of  Wales,  and  Ann  Williams,  his  wife,  a  native  of  Plymouth, 
England,  resided  previous  to  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  in  the  colony  of  New  Jersey.  During  the  war 
their  domicil  was  burned  by  the  British  ariry,  causing  a  separation  of  the  family,  and  at  which  time  it  is  supposed 
their  family  record  was  lost  or  destroyed.  Their  son  Thomas  Williams  was  bound  for  a  number  of  years  to  a  farmer, 
after  which  he  moved  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  where  he  learned  the  business  of  house  painter,  and  on  May 
2  1807,  he  married  Frances  Hunter,  daughter  of  William  and  Frances  Hunter,  of  Philadelphia,  of  which  union  was 
born  on  the  15th  day  of  January,  1811,  William  Hunter  Williams,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  When  he  was  about 
seven  years  old  his  father  removed  with  his  family  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  on  the  17th  day  of  October, 
1822,  his  father  died,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children,  who  returned  to  Pniladelphia,  where  William  H.  attended 
the  public  schools  of  the  city  until  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  William  Ford  to  learn 
the  business  of  silver-plating.  In  the  month  of  May,  1837,  in  consequence  of  the  financial  convulsion  of  the  country 
he  sought  to  improve  his  circumstances  by  removing  to  what  was  then  called  the  Western  States.  Accordingly  in 


678 


RECORDS  oi-  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


the  fore  part  of  June,  1837,  he  reached  the  village  of  Hartford,  Dearborn  county,  in  the  south-eastern  portion  ot 
the  State  of  Indiana.  In  the  month  of  August  of  that  year  he  made  a  prospecting  tour  on  foot  to  Indianapolis, 
and  thence  west  to  the  eastern  part  of  Illinois,  where  his  further  progress  west  was  arrested  by  fever  and  ague  (his 
objective  point  beine  Alton,  111.),  and  caused  him  to  endeavor  to  retrace  his  steps  to  Hartford,  Ind.,  which  was  ac- 
complished with  great  effort  during  some  time  in  the  month  of  September. 

In  the  year  1838  he  gained  his  first  experience  as  a  farmer  joined  with  the  disadvantage  of  a  relapse  of  the 
ague  and  fever,  having  rented  seven  acres  of  land  and  raised  a  crop  of  corn,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer 
of  that  year  took  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  country  general  store.  Late  in  the  autumn  of  1838  he  was  engaged  as 
clerk  and  hand  on  a  flatboat  to  take  a  cargo  of  flour  and  pork  to  the  lower  Mississippi  River,  having  accomplished 
which  he,  in  the  spring  of  1839.  returned  to  H  irtford,  Ind.,  making  a  detour  to  visit  his  brother,  who  had  preceded 
him  to  Putnam  comity.  111.,  npon  which  occasion  he  concluded  to  settle  permanently  in  Illinois  Returning  to 
Hartford,  he  was  offered  a  situation  on  a  store-boat,  and  continued  in  the  boating  business  until  Dome  time  in  Sep- 
tember, 1839,  and  on  or  about  the  21st  of  September  started  on  horseback  from  Hartford  to  go  to  Marshall  county, 
111.,  arriving  Oct.  1,  1839.  On  the  first  of  May,  1843,  he  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  and  received  the  Government 
patent  for  the  same,  under  the  administration  of  President  John  Tyler,  and  on  the  26th  day  of  December.  1856,  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  adjoining  from  Samuel  C.  Bacon.  On  the  29th  day  of  June,  1843,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Tbeo- 
dosia  Holmes  Lyon,  daughter  of  Abij  ill  Lyon  and  Comfort  Holmes  Lyon,  natives  of  Westchester  county.  New  York. 
who  removed  from  the  city  of  New  York  to  Marshall  county.  III.,  in  the  spring  of  1839.  Mr.  Williams  has  nine  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Frances  H.,  William  A.,  Martha.  Mary,  John  Howard,  Emma  !•'..,  James  Albert,  Theodosia  Ann  and 
David  Herbert.  Frances  H.,  now  Mrs.  Samuel  A.  Wilson  of  Adin,  Modoc  county.  Cal.;  Martha  now  Mrs.  Charles  M. 
Hobbs,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa;  Mary  now  Mrs.  O.  H.  Lincoln,  of  Mareneo,  McHenry  county.  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln  are  now  professional  teachers.  Emma  K.,  now  wife  of  Rev.  W.  B.  Berry,  lives  at  Barry,  Pike  county.  111  ; 
William  A.  resides  in  the  town  of  Belvidere,  Tbayer  county,  Neb  ;  John  H.  lives  at  home  engaged  in  farming;  Jas. 
A.  is  teaching  in  Bureau  county,  111.;  Theodosia  A.  is  in  Council  Bluffs,  lawa,  and  D.  Herbert  at  home  attending 
school,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  commenced  housekeeping  on  the  first  purchase  of  land  in  the  spring  of  the  year 
*  1844,  passing  through  all  the  experiences  of  a  pioneer  farmer  incident  to  that  period  of  the  history  of  the  State  of 
Illinois.  In  1847  be  was  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  of  Senachwine  precinct  holds  the  same  office  at 
the  present  time,  and  lives  on  bis  original  location,  was  county  judge  for  a  period  of  six  years,  succeeding  Joel  W. 
Hopkins  in  that  office,  Mr.  Hopkins  being  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature;  was  postmaster  at  the  village 
of  Senachwine  nearly  ten  years:  was  town  clerk  a  number  of  years;  was  township  treasurer  of  schools  nearly  thirty 
years;  served  one  year  in  the  office  of  town  collector.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  are  members  of  the  Henry  Society  of 
the  Wsw  Jerusalem  or  Swedenborgian  church  for  over  twenty  years.  The  judge,  as  he  is  familiarly  called,  is  now 
69  years  of  age.  His  wife  is  69  years.  They  with  their  large  family  of  children  enjoy  a  remarkable  degree  of  health. 

ALVIN  PERKINS. 

Mr.  Perkins  was  burn  October  22,  1834,  and  was  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Amy  Garton  Perkins,  who  came  from  the 
State  of  Kentucky,  and  located  in  Bureau  county  in  the  year  1833.  Six  surviving  children  were  born  to  them, 
namely:  Elijah,  Madison,  Matilda.  Jesse,  Cirena  and  Alvin.  Elijah  and  Jesse  reside  in  Cass  county,  Iowa.  Matilda 
married  William  Wherry,  and  lives  in  Green  county,  Iowa.  Cirena  and  Mrs.  Jeremiah  Drake  live  in  Senachwine, 
and  Madison  in  Page  county,  Iowa.  Alvin  married  Miss  Lydia  Hamilton,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Long 
Hamilton,  of  Ohio,  in  the  year  1856.  Has  seven  children  living  -Ed  ward,  Jennie,  Carrie,  Austin,  Alvin  Grant  and 
baby  boy.  In  the  year  1860  he  went  to  Pike's  Peak,  where  he  remained  until  August,  when  he  returned  home.  In 
1864  he  went  to  Austin,  Nevada,  worked  in  the  mines  about  one  year,  then  visited  California,  and  returned  home 
via  the  Isthmus.  In  1867  he  sold  out  in  Bureau  county,  moved  to  Pottawatomie  county,  Iowa,  remained  there  one 
year  and  moved  to  Putnam  county.  He  owns  315  acres  of  fine  land. 

JOHN  F.  M.  PARKER. 

Was  a  son  of  Ezekiel  Parker  and  Margaret  Ann  Engle,  formerly  from  Green  Briar  county,  Virginia,  and  was 
born  in  Amity,  Knox  county,  Ohio.  In  1839  they  moved  to  Emngham  county,  111.,  where  tney  resided  for  about 
seven  years.  Mr.  Parker  died  in  1846  leaving  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  the  latter  having  since 
died.  Samuel  resides  in  Chicago,  8.  8.  in  Libbey,  Oscella  county,  la.,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  in  Putnam 
county,  111.  Mr.  Parker  resided  prior  to  his  residence  in  Senachwine,  with  his  mother  in  Fulton  county  and  in 
Beardstown,  Cans  county.  111.  Came  to  Senachwine  July  13,  1857  and  commenced  life  there  as  a  clerk,  school 
teacher  and  deputy  postmaster.  During  his  residence  in  this  township  he  aided  in  founding  and  building  (the 
Christian  church.  He  is  still  connected  with  the  church  as  pastor,  and  laboring  at  the  same  time  as  the  evangelist 
of  the  Bureau  and  Putnam  county  Christian  Co-operation  society.  Aug.  6,  1863  he  married  Marv  A.  Wherry, 
daughter  of  Elder  John  Wherry  and  Malinda  Perkins,  of  Putnam  county,  from  which  marriage  six  children  were 
born,  namely:  William  8.,  Emma  L.,  James  E.,  Mary  V.,  Walter  C.  and  Anna  Maud. 

JAMES  M.   WINSHIP. 

Mr.  Winship  was  bora  in  Lewis  county.  New  York,  October  2,  1826.  He  is  a  son  of  Ralph  and  Lucetta  Oooley 
Winship,  who  came  to  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  in  June,  1835.  James  M.  moved  from  Princeton  to  this  township 
in  March,  1868.  and  has  resided  here  ever  since.  In  1850  he  married  Mary  Ann  Read,  daughter  of  Philip  and  I'ry- 
phena  Read,  of  Senachwine.  They  have  five  children,  —  J.  Orrin,  Cora  Eva  (now  Mrs,  Martin  !••  Condit,  of  this  town- 
ship), Orville  W.,  Walter  E.  and  Jessie  M.  In  1852  Mr.  Winship  left  Princeton,  crossed  the  plains  and  Rocky  moun- 
tains with  an  ox  team,  visited  California,  remained  there  one  year,  and  returned  hame  in  the  spring  of  1853.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  679 

owns  a  fine  farm  of  192  acres,  and  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  drain  tile  and  brick.  He  baa  been  supervisor  of 
the  town  for  two  successive  years,  and  school  director  for  many  years.  Is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  He 
has  a  vivid  recollection  of  his  frequent  trips  to  Chicago  at  an  early  day,  with  grain  and  pork,  bringing  back  lumber 
at  $8.00  per  M  for  the  building  of  the  court  house  in  Princeton.  In  1876  he  made  an  extended  tour  through  the  east, 
visiting  Philadelphia  during  the  Centennial  exhibition,  Washington,  Mt.  Vernon,  New  York  city,  and  old  friends  in 
Oneida  county,  New  York. 

ABRAHAM  W.  HOAGLAND. 

«r.  Hoagland  was  born  in  Beadington,  Hnntington  county.  New  Jersey,  son  of  Dr.  C.  0.  and  Gertrude  La 
Bagh  Iloagland,  who  had  eight  children— Francis  E.,  Anna  M.,  John  E.,  A.  W,  Lucy  K.,  Nellie  W.,  Hattie  B., 
and  Henry  M.  Frark  resides  in  Council  bluffs,  la.,  Anna  M.,  now  Mrs.  James  H.  Smith,  and  John  in  Jackson 
county,  Kansas,  and  Lucy  B.  in  Yuma  county,  Arizona,  and  is  a  teacher.  The  other  children  live  at  home  with 
their  mother.  Dr.  Hoagland  died  in  March,  1868,  in  Iowa  where  he  was  employed  as  state  agent  of  the  American 
Bible  Society.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy  in  every  vocation  of  life.  Was  state  superintendent  of  schools  in 
New  Jersey.  Was  editor  of  a  weekly  journal  published  in  the  town  of  Hennepin.  Abraham  W,  enlisted  in  Co. 
I.,  47th  Regiment  111.  Volunteers  in  the  last  year  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  in  December,  1865,  at  Springfield, 
III.  His  brother,  Frank,  enlisted  in  July,  1861,  under  General  Rosecrans,  served  during  th«  war,  was  in  [all  the 
engagements  of  his  regiment  and  for  a  short  time  was  prisoner  of  war.  His  brother  John,  enlisted  at  Maroa,  Macon 
county,  this  state,  and  entered  the  army  in  the  department  under  General  Grant,  All  came  home  about  the  same 
time,  having  served  their  country  faithfully  and  honorably.  Abraham  carries  on  the  farm  of  120  acres.  Has 
served  as  school  director. 

GTEO.  E.  SPARLING. 

Senachwine,  Putnam  County,  Illinois. 

JOHN  SPARLING. 

Senachwine,  Putnam  County,  Illinois. 

GEORGE  SPARLING. 

Senachwine,  Putnam   County,  Illinois. 

JOHN  M.  WILLIAMS. 

Mr.  Williams  was  born  August  28. 1844,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Melinda  Morgan  Williams,  well  known  citi- 
zens of  Senachwine  township.  He  enlisted  January  26, 1865,  as  a  private  in  company  A,,  148th  Regiment  111.  Volun- 
uuteers  was  assigned  to  the  Armv  of  the  Tennessee  and  in  \ugust  received  his  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
In  1872  made  a  tour  through  the  west,  visiting  Da  koU,  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Missouri  with  the  intention  of  locatir  g 
but  returned  and  May  25.  1876,  married  Eliza  J.  Downey,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Jane  Welch  Downey,  of  this 
township,  Hits  one  child,  Carrie  E.  In  1872  was  the  active  agent,  as  well  as  a  prime  mover  together  with  other 
citizens  of  Senachwine,  in  making  a  saving  to  the  county  of  ten  thousand  dollars  by  stopping  the  issue  of  bonds  for 
that  amount  which  otherwise  would  have  been  issued  in  favor  of  the  Kankakee  and  Illinois  Biver  railroad.  Mr. 
Williams  is  a  farmer  by  vocation  and  shells  corn  for  grain  men  and  others.  Has  been  constable  for  four  years,  col- 
lector for  one  year  and  school  director  six  years,  and  is  also  an  ingenious  mechanic  and  inventor,  having  secured 
patents  on  an  invention  that  promises  to  become  valuable. 

WILLIAM  BARNHART. 

Mr  Barnhart  was  born  in  Hamilton  county.Ohio,  June  25th,  1829,and  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Ann  Hines  Barnhart 
who  came  to  the  state  in  1831  and  located  at  first  near  Lacon,  then  called  Columbia.  At  that  time  there  were  but 
few  white  settlers  in  those  parts.  vVhile  hunting  one  day  he  discovered  two  dead  Indians  sitting  side  by  side  up- 
right within  a  small  fenced  inclosure.  he  lived  there  about  three  years.  During  the  Black  Hawk  war  he  served  as 
captain,  for  which  he  received  a  patent  of  160  acres  of  land  from  the  government.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a 
farmer,  although  possessed  of  the  genius  of  doing  all  things  with  facility  At  one  time  he  owned  about  a  thous- 
and acres  of  land  in  Senachwine  township.  Had  nine  children— seven  sons  and  two  daughters— Martha,  now  Mrs. 
Hoselton,  of  Adams  county.  Iowa,  James,  of  Clinton  county.  Iowa,  John,  of  Senachwine,  Wesley,  deceased,  Ira  and 
Asa.  twins;  Ira  resides  in  Senachwine,  and  Asa  in  Colorado.  Mary  Elizabeth  died  January  26, 1864.  Mrs.  Barnhart 
died  December  23,  1879,  aged  82.  Mr  William  Barnhart  grew  up,  followed  the  occupation  of  his  father  and  resides 
on  the  old  homestead.  He  made  a  prospecting  tour  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  was  one  of  the  so-called  "fifty 
niners."  He  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862,  in  the  113th  Regiment  of  111. Volunteers,  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
served  three  years  and  was  mustered  out  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  married  Oct.,  1878,  to 
Marthi  Jacobs,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Scott  Jacobs,  of  Mendota,  111.  Has  two  children— Clara  May  Um- 
ponhour  and  Frank  Koestner. 

JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

Section  81,  Senachwine,  Putnam  county  Born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  16th,  1813,  Son  of  Thomas  and 
Frances  Hunter  Williams.  Thomas  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  father.  John  Williams,  was  a  citizen  of  New 
Jersey,  was  taken  prisoner  by  th^  British  and  died  while  in  prison  and  was  buried  in  what  is  now  known  as  Wash- 
ington Square.  William  Hunter,  father  of  Frances,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  at  the  battle  of  German- 


680 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


town  under  Washington.  In  1824  Mr.  John  Williams,  then  a  lad  of  eleven  yean  of  age,  shook  bands  with  La  Fayette 
in  the  old  Independence  Hall.  Having  learned  the  bricklaying  business  was  employed  in  the  year  1836  in  building 
Girard  college.  Durine  the  autumn  and  winter  he  made  a  circuitous  route  from  Philadelphia  to  New  York  City, 
New  Orleans  up  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis  and  thence  to  Hennepin.  Putnam  county,  In  1843  pre-empted  a  claim 
of  ICO  acres  of  land  in  tp  lO.N.W.. section  3, and  the  ensuing  spring,  1844,  came  to  the  farm  they  now  reside  on.  Waa 
married  Oct.  22. 1843,  to  Melinda  Morgan,  daughter  of  Alanson  and  Melinda  Peters  Morgan,  Warren,  Lie  hfield 
county,  Conn.,  formerly  from  Hebron,  Mass.  Have  eight  children,  John  M,,  ThomiB,  Irvin  S.,  Melinda,  Frances, 
George,  Adeline  and  Martha  Ann.  John  M.  resides  in  this  county.  Frances,  now  Mr».  Lorenzo  Brunt,  lives  in 
this  county.  The  other  children  live  at  home  with  their  parents,  Mr  Williams  is  a  man  of  advanced  opinions 
upon  all  questions  relating  to  the  welfare  of  the  human  familv  and  does  his  own  own  thinking.  He  has  been  a 
leading  anti-slavery  man  and  in  the  days  of  the  "underground  railroad"  often  assisted  fugitives  on  their  way  to 
freedom.  He  was  an  active  instigator  and  assistant  in  driving  the  Reeves  gang  from  the  country.  He  is  a  good 
talker,  clear  headed  and  genial  hearted,  a  warm  friend  to  those  worthy  of  it  and  a  hater  of  shams. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  681 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


LACON  TOWNSHIP. 


JAMES  B.  MARTIN. 

Mr.  Martin,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lacon,  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  111.,  in  1824.  His 
life  demonstrates  how  a  poor  boy  achieved  wealth  and  distinction  solely  through  his  individual  exertions,  without 
the  help  or  aid  of  relatives  or  influence.  His  early  life  was  full  of  hardships  and  hi*  education  such  as  could  be 
picked  up  in  the  poorest  country  schools.  For  several'years  he  followed  breaking  prairie,  and  with  the  first  money 
earned  entered  some  land  which  he  sold  at  an  advance,  and  then  entered  more.  His  investments  were  carefully 
made  and  uniformly  successful.  He  opened  a  good  farm  in  Bennington  township  which  he  sold  in  1857,  and  com- 
ing to  Lacon  embarked  in  the  livery  business,  and  went  to  loaning  money.  In  1849  he  married  Minerva  Hedrick, 
who  died  in  1857,  leaving  three  children— Frank,  Lizzie  and  Clara.  In  1858  he  was  married  to  inn  J.  Norris,  by 
whom  be  has  five  sons  and  daughters,— Herbert,  Edwin  C.,  Ada  L.,  Florence  and  Chester  H.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  has  held  various  offices  of  trust  in  city  and  tow  nship. 

WM.  M.  PYLE. 

Mr.  Pyle  is  a  watchmakei  and  jeweler  in  Lacon.  He  was  bom  in  the  city  of  Richmond,  Wayne  county,  Ind., 
in  1843,  moved  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  1870,  and  located  in  Lacon  in  1877.  He  was  educated  in  the  city  of  his  birth,  and 
there  also  received  rudimentary  instruction  in  the  buiness  in  which  be  has  made  himself  proficient  by  experience 
and  the  exercise  of  the  unusual  degree  of  mechanical  ingenuity  with  which  he  is  endowed.  In  1860  he  married 
Matilda  Robinson,  a  native  of  Greensburg,  Ind.  They  have  five  children,— Wm.  H.,  Charles  R.,  Maud,  Blanch,  and 
Olive.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Served  three  years  as  quartermaster  of  the  40th  ind.  Vol.  Inf.  during 
the  war  of  the  rebellion.  He  is  a  nephew  of  Samuel  E.  Perkins,  Judge  of  the  Superio£.Court  of  Indiana,  and  Mrs, 
Pyle  is  a  sister  of  Hon.  Milton  8.  Robinson,  late  member  of  Congress  from  the  Sixth  District  of  Indiana. 

DR.  ISAAC  H.  REEDER,  Physician  and  Surgeon. 

Dr.  Reeder  was  born  in  Dayton.  Ohio,  in  1824,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Marshall  county  in  1834,  settling 
in  Lacon,  or  Columbia,  as  the  village  was  then  called.  He  was  educated  in  Lacon,  was  a  student  at  Rush  Medical 
College  in  Chigago,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1852,  commencing  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Lacon 
the  same  year,  and  has  continued  steadily  in  practice  to  the  present  time  with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in 
the  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  during  which  time  he  served  as  Burgeon  of  the  10th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  In  1850 
married  Catherine  D.  Lucas,  a  native  of  Bloomington.  They  have  one  child  living.  Flora  E.,  and  one  deceased. 
Dr.  Reeder  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  state  and  local  medical 
societies. 

REV.  FATHER  JOHN  F.  POWER. 

Pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  (Catholic),  in  Lacon.  Mr.  Power  was  born  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  in  1850,  and  two  years  later  his  parents  moved  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Chicago.  He  studied  thfology  in 
Mount  St.  Marys  college,  Emmettsbnrg,  Md.,  and  was  ordained  for  the  priesthood  by  the  late  Bishop  Foley.  of 
Chicago,  April  12th,  1875.  He  was  first  stationed  at  Beardstown,  where  he  remained  one  year,  was  for  a  short  time 
in  charge  of  the  parish  in  Bloomington,  and  in  June,  1877,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  parish  at  this  place,  where  he 
has  since  remained.  He  has  established  a  school  here  in  connection  with  the  church,  with  Sisters  of  Charity  as 
teachers,  where  children  of  Catholic  parents  can  receive  a  thorough  preparatory  education  in  accordance  with  the 
doctrines  of  their  church,  and  by  bis  consistent  piety  and  zealous  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  temporal  as  well  as  spirit- 
ual welfare  of  the  communicants  of  his  church,  has  endeared  himself  to  those  of  his  own  faith  and  won  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  the  entire  community,  irrespective  of  religious  affiliations. 

RICHARD  GELL. 

This  gentleman,  member  of  the  firm  of  Stire  &  Gell,  merchants  and  clothiers  of  Lacon,  is  a  native  of  England 


682  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

born  in  Huntingdonshire  in  1818.  Before  coining  to  this  country  he  received  the  business  training  of  a  ten  yea  rs 
experience  in  the  grocery  business  in  the  city  of  London.  In  1851  be  came  to  the  United  States,  and  located 
in  Lacon,  remaining  here  about  seven  years.  He  then  moved  on  a  farm  in  Steuben  township,  where  be  remained 
one  year,  lived  in  La  Prairie  five  years,  and  then  returned  to  Lacon,  being  connected  with  Fisher's  flouring  mill 
about  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  connection  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Felix  Kabn  in  the  clothing 
business  in  Sparland  which  lasted  seven  years,  when  he  again  returned  to  Lacon  and  formed  his  present  business 
partnership  with  Mr.  Stire.  October  18, 1846,  he  married,  in  London,  England,  Mary  A.  Wood  a  native  of  that 
city.  They  have  one  child  living,  Maria  Nancy  (now  Mrs.  Martin,  residing  in  Tazewell  county;,  and  have  lost 
one  child  by  death.  They  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  A  few  years  ago  Mr.  Gell  visited  his  old  home  in 
the  city  of  London,  and  has  consequently  three  times  crossed  the  broad  Atlantic.  He  is  an  estimable  citizen,  a  man 
of  sturdy  integrity,  honest,  upright  and  straightforward  in  all  his  dealings,  and  enjoys  in  a  high  degree  the  eonfii- 
denceand  esteem  of  his  fellows. 

GEO.  W.  TAYLOR. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a  conductor  on  the  Western  Division  of  the  G.,  A.  &  St.  L.  Railroad,  and  resides  in  Lacon.  Be 
was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  in  1849.  In  1872  he  married  Sarah  J.  Farrayman,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  together 
they  located  in  Washington,  Tazewell  county,  from  which  place  they  subsequently  moved  to  Lacon.  They  have 
one  child,  Archie,  born  November  26,  1874.  Mr.  Taylor  has  been  connected  with  the  C.  A.  &  St.  L.  Railroad  sine* 
he  was  a  boy.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Railway  Conductors'  Mutual  Aid  and  Benefit  Society  of  the  United  States 
and  Canada. 

FRED.  PETERS. 

Mr.  Fetors  is  a  barber  and  hairdresser  located  and  carrying  on  business  on  Main  street  in  Lacon.  He  was 
born  in  Prussia,  in  1843,  where  he  remained  until  23  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located 
first  in  Springfield,  111.,  moving  thence  to  Lacon  in  1876,  and  commenced  in  business  for  himself  the  same  year.  In 
1871  be  married  Malinda  French,  a  native  of  Missouri,  by  whom  he  has  fonr  children,— Emma,  Charlie,  Mary  and 
Frederick.  Mr.  Peters  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Co.  H,  7th  Reg't  111.  N.  G. 

WILLIAM  GAPEN. 

Mr.  Gapen  is  a  resident  of  Lacon  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  saddles  and  harness.  He  was  born  in  Pcioto 
county,  Ohio,  in  1833,  but  was  raised  in  Lacon,  his  parents  moving  here  when  he  was  but  one  year  old.  In  1857  be 
married  Elizabeth  Boyles,  a  native  of  \dams  county,  Ohio.  They  have  six  children,— Charles.  Mollie.  Sallie.  Wil- 
liam, Emma  Dell  and  Frank.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.;  has  been  in  business  for  himself  since  April,  1866. 

JOHN  HOFFRICHTER. 

A  resident  of  Lacon,  a  stock  dealer  by  occupation  and  proprietor  of  a  meat  market.  Mr.  Hoffriohter  was 
born  in  Prussia  in  1829.  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  and  in  1859  located  in  Lacon.  The  same  year  of  his  set- 
tlement here  he  married  Margaret  Krach,  a  resident  of  St.  Louis,  born  in  Bavaria.  They  have  four  children,— 
Louisa  E..  Clara  M.,  Anna  T.  and  Bertha  E.  They  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  Mr.  H.  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order  and  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  been  in  business  in  the  same  location  since  1859. 

CARRIE  C.  GAGE. 

Mrs.  Gage  was  born  in  North  Wolfboro,  N.  H.,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Mary  (Bickford)  Roberto, 
The  family  came  originally  from  England,  and  in  the  days  of  the  colonies  settled  at  Dover  and  became  farmers. 
Mr.  Roberts,  senior,  was  born  and  labored  on  a  farm  when  a  boy,  afterward  removing  to  this  place,  where  he  died 
after  a  long  and  busy  life.  He  followed  merchandising  here,  amassing  a  large  property,  which  was  equitably 
divided  among  his  descendants.  Here  his  children  were  born  and  grown  up,  the  sons  assisting  in  the  store  and 
gaining  R  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business.  Five  sons  and  daughters  wero  born  to  them,  viz  .  Snsan  Abigail 
(Mrs.  Blake).  Alonzo  and  Porter  D.,  living  in  Chicago,  Mary  B.  G.  (deceased),  and  Curie  C.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  She  married  in  1834,  Fred.  Gage,  and  moved  immediately  to  Kenosha,  Wis.,  where  they  lived  two  years, 
and  went  to  Manitowoc.  where  he  engaged  in  business.  Here  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Phineas  Stevens,  and  in 
1860,  along  with  him  and  A.  and  P.  D.  Roberts,  removed  to  Lacon.  and  under  the  firm  of  Stevens.  Gage,  Roberts  & 
Co.  embarked  in  merchandising,  the  lumber  and  srain  trade.  They  did  a  very  extensive  business  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  were  quite  successful.  Mr.  Gage  retired  from  the  firm  about  1870,  and  purchasing  a  large  farm  west  of 
Lacon,  turned  his  attention  to  improviug  it.  He  also  opened  an  exchange  and  loan  office  in  Sparland.  He  had  a 
first  class  aptitude  for  business,  his  investments  were  always  safe,  and  he  accumulated  a  large  property.  His  mar- 
ried life  was  happy,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born— a  son  that  died  in  infancy,  and  a  daughter  -Maria  The- 
resa, born  March  6, 1873. 

JOHN  GRIEVES. 

Mr.  Grieves  comes  from  Selkirk,  Scotland,  where  he  was  born  in  1826.  and  obtained  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  the  place.  He  was  early  put  to  work  in  the  mills  and  obtained  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  woolen 
manufacture  in  all  its  details.  He  set  out  to  master  the  details  and  fit  himself  for  something  better  than  a  mere 
laborer,  and  succeeded.  Finding  there  was  little  opportunity  to  rise  in  the  profession  in  the  overcrowded  manu- 
facturing cities  of  the  old  world ,  he  determined  to  €  migrate,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848.  finding  employ- 
ment in  Lawrence,  Mass.  In  1851  he  was  offered  the  snperintendency  of  a  new  mill  at  New  Edin borough,  Canada, 


DEPARTMENT. 

remained  till  1868,  when  he  went  to  Utica  in  charge  of  a  department  in  the  celebrated  Globe  Mills.  From  there  he 
went  to  West  Troy  and  assumed  charge  of  James  Boy  &  Co.'s  Shawl  Mills,  About  this  time  the  Lacon  Woolen 
Manufacturing  Co.  was  organized,  in  which  Mr.  Grieves  became  a  stockholder,  furnished  the  plans  for  the  mill 
and  purchased  most  of  the  machinery.  He  was  its  first  superintendent,  and  continued  there  until  about  1870,  when 
be  went  to  Beloit,  Wis..  and  to  Peoria  in  1872,  returning  to  Lacon  in  1876,  and  assumed  his  present  situation  as  su- 
perintendent and  manager  of  the  Lacon  Woolen  Manuf.  Co.  In  1848  he  married  Elizabeth  Heart,  and  to  them 
were  given,  George  Isabella,  Jessie,  John,  Oliver  and  Christine.  He  has  two  children  by  a  former  marriage— Eliza- 
beth and  Mary.  Two  daughters  are  married  and  live  in  Feoria,  and  one  — Jessie,  who  was  a  very  promising  young 
lady,  is  buried  in  the  Lacon  cemetery. 

CLARISSA  ILIFF. 

Lacon,  Marshall  county,  Illinois. 

FRANK  D.  SHAFER. 

Mr.  Shafer  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  13,  who  wan  born  in  Knox  county,  Ohio*  His  father  settled  in 
Hopewell  township  in  1846.  living  in  the  old  homestead,  three  miles  above  Lacon.  until  the  close  of  his  life.  He  was 
a  Jackxonan  Democrat,  inflexibly  honest  and  wedded  to  bis  opinion.  His  son  Frank  came  to  Lacon  in  1846.  and 
wedded  Amelia  Cain,  daughter  of  James  Cain,  of  Richland.  He  hasa  productive  farm  and  a  fine  residence  beau- 
tifully situated  in  a  natural  grove  and  surrounded  with  fruits,  etc.  They  have  fonr  children.  Mary  E.,  James  V., 
Henry  B,,  aud  Benjamin  F.  He  is  a  good  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  loves  a  good  horse,  and  when  business  permits 
enjoys  himself  in  hunting,  etc.,  but  don't  neglect  business  tor  any  pleasure. 

GEORGE  AUTH. 

Mr.  Auth  is  a  w  itchmaker  and  a  jeweler  located  and  doing  business  in  Lacon.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Fnlda  Hesse,  Germany,  in  1821,  where  he  received  a  thorough  classical  education.  He  spent  several  years  in  trav- 
eling in  France,  Switzerland  and  England,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1852  and  visited  nearly  all  the  states  in  the 
Union  as  a  professor  of  languages.  He  is  an  accomplished  artist  in  his  trade,  having  been  brought  up  to  that 
art  of  delicate  manipulation  by  his  father,  who  was  a  finished  artisan  of  wide  celebrity  in  his  native  land.  Mr. 
Auth  has  added  largely  to  his  rich  store  of  knowledge  acanired  in  early  life  by  close  observation  during  his  varied 
travels,  his  finished  education  greatly  facilitating  his  efforts  in  that  direction. 

EDWARD  WELCH. 

Mr.  Welch  is  a  locomotive  engineer  whose  residence  is  in  Tjacon.  He  was  born  in  Essex  county.  New  York, 
in  1843.  In  October,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  118th  N.  Y.  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  in  the  armies  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  James  under  Gen.  Butler.  At  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  Oct.  24th,  1864.  he  was  captured,  confined  in 
the  celebrated  Libby  Prison  of  excrable  memory  two  weeks,  and  in  Saulsbury,  S.  C.,  until  March  2,  1865,  when  he 
was  paroled  and  released,  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md  ,  and  thence  to  New  York,  wh»re  he  lay  sick  several  weeks  and  was 
finally  mustered  out  at  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  in  June.  1865.  December  15th,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  a  lieutenant. 
In  1872  be  married  Helen  Logan,  a  native  of  Pittaburg,  Pa.  They  have  three  children.  Clarence,  Edward  and  Edith 

E.  Mr.  Welch  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  belongs  to  the  brotherhood  locomotive  engineers. 

F.  C.  GALE,  Physician  and  Surgeon. 

Dr.  Gale  was  born  in  Windham  county,  Vermont,  in  1840  and  comes  from  an  old  family  that  has  given  many 
eminent  men  to  the  country.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  gave  him  a  good  education,  after  which  he  studied 
medicine,  and  after  receiving  his  diploma  entered  the  United  States  navy  as  assistant  surgeon,  in  1861.  serving 
on  board  the  U.  g.  steamer  Potowska.  engaged  in  tue  blockade  of  southern  porte  and  the  pursuit  of  rebel  cruisers,  also 
in  which  capacity  he  visited  the  different  West  India  Islands,  the  Caribbean  Sea,  crossed  the  Ulantic  and  entered  the 
Mediterranean  Se*,  visiting  most  of  the  consular  states  on  the  way.  He  was  in  the  expedition  of  Com.  Goldsboro 
that  captured  Hilton  Head,  and  the  Carolina  coast,  also  in  Burnside's  expedition,  and  in  a  great  storm  off  Hatteras. 
Saw  several  vessels  with  all  on  board  go  down.  The  service  was  exciting  and  laborious,  now  chasing  rebel  armed 
cruisers,  now  capturing  peaceful  traders,  and  again  having  sharp  encounters  with  rebel  batteries  and  iron  dads.  Oc- 
casionally they  would  chase  a  noted  rebel  cruiser  like  the  Florida,  the  Sumpter.the  Nashville,  and  four  times  he  was 
wounded,  but  never  seriously.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  mustered  out  and  returned  home.  In  1865  he  married 
Fannie  Taft,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Oreo.  W.  Talt,  of  Vermont.  She  died  in  1870,  leaving  two  children -George  Taft 
and  Orpba  M.  His  present  wife  was  Jennie  Handwork,  whom  he  married  at  Morris,  111.,  February,  1874.  He  came 
to  Lacon  in  1875,  and  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 

HENRY  L.  CRANE. 

Mr.  Crane  was  bom  in  Orimtown,  now  Montclair,  N,  J.,  March  5, 1813,  and  moved  at  an  early  day  to  Ohio.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  brick  mason,  and  followed  it  for  many  years.  Here  he  joined  the  M.  E.  church,  of  which 
he  was  for  51  years  an  upright,  consistent  member.  He  was  three  times  married,  first  to  Elizabeth  Martin,  of  New 
York  city  in  1834,  to  whom  eight  children  were  born  as  follows:  Sarah,  now  Mr.  W.  W.  Dean;  JosUh  Wesly,  Henrj 
J..  Mary  and  William,  all  dead.  Chales  is  married  and  living  in  Lacon,  and  Margaretta,  now  Mrs.  A.  Picherean. 
Mrs,  Crane  died  in  1851.  In  1836  Mr.  Crane  joined  several  of  his  neighbors,  and  came  to  Lacon,  then  Columbia,  a 
not  very  promising  town  of  five  cabins  and  two  frame  houses.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in  organizing  the  M. 


684 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


E.  Society,  the  first  church  formed  in  the  place,  and  of  the  thirteen  original  members  he  was  the  last  survivor  but 
one.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  he  married  Mrs.  Eliza  D.  K.msley  in  New  Jersey,  in  1852  and  by  her  had  five  chil 
dren,  viz..  George  M..  a  printer:  Greenberry  F.,  Kate  Celia,  Henry  L.  and  Nelly,  at  present  living  at  home.  Mrs. 
(Ransle.v)  Crane  died  in  1866,  and  in  1868  he  wedded  Mrs.  Julia  (Wolcott)  Wilson,  who  survives  him,  born  in  Colnm- 
biacounty.  New  York.  Mr.  Crane  died  Feb.  17, 1880,  after  a  Ions  and  well  spent  lite.  For  thirty  years  he  was  a 
local  pr  -acber  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  always  an  active,  influential  member.  In  1848  he  was  elected  sheriff,  filling 
the  office  as  principal  or  deputy  fonr  terms;  was  U.  8.  storekeeper  nine  years,  and  served  as  supervisor,  collector, 
assessor,  etc.,  for  many  years.  Few  men's  lives  were  so  long  and  so  free  from  blemish,  and  he  died  regretted  by  all. 

CAPT.  HENRY  FISHER. 

The  subject  of  tiis  sketch  is  a  native  of  Union  county.  Pa.,  where  he  was  born  in  1833.  Two  years  later  his 
parents  moved  to  Summit  cuunty,  Obio,  where  he  was  raised,  and  in  1856  he  came  to  Marshall  county.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1862.  he  organized  Co.  C.  65th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  of  whicm  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  being  promoted  to 
the  cautaincy  in  December  following.  He  participate  d  in  the  exciting  Shanandoah  Valley  campaign  of  1862,  which 
culminated  in  the  seige  and  capture  by  the  rebels  of  Harper's  Ferry,  and  was  one  of  that  11,500  brave  men  humil- 
iated by  surrender  through  the  gross  incompetence  and  mismanagement  of  superior  officers.  Was  paroled  on  the 
field,  exchanged  in  the  spring  of  1863,  participated  in  the  Eastern  Kentucky  campaign  and  defeat  of  the  rebel  Gen. 
Humphrey  Marshall.  Was  with  t-urnside  in  the  defense  of  Knoxville,  where  he  was  under  seige  21  days,  took  part 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign  until  the  surrender  of  that  city,  and  aided  in  administering  that  crushing  defeat  which 
Houd  sustained  at  Nashville  at  the  hands  of  "  old  Pap  "  Thomas  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  he  re- 
turned to  Lacon,  went  into  the  dry  goods  business  in  Sparland.  where  he  continued  five  years,  and  then  purchased 
his  present  homestead  and  settled  down  to  bucolic  pursuits.  August  29, 1865,  he  married  Mary  Thompson,  a  native 
of  this  county.  They  have  three  children— Georgie  M.,  Jesse  M.,  and  Apley  T.,  and  one  child,  Cora  E  ,  bv  a  former 
marriage.  Mrs  Fisher  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

JOHN  LOCKETT. 

Mr.  Lockett  is  in  the  weaving  department  of  the  Lacon  Woolen  Manufacturing  Co.,  and  a  thoroughly  com- 
petent workman.  He  was  born  in  Cheshire.  England,  in  1848,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  locating«in 
Coventry,  Conn.  He  began  weaving  in  1861,  in  Connecticut,  moved  to  Wilbr  tham,  Mass,,  and  then  to  Rhode  Island, 
when  after  a  brief  stay  he  went  back  to  Massachusetts,  working  in  various  places.  He  came  to  Lacon  April  4, 
1876.  and  was  appointed  to  his  present  position.  He  married  Emma  Starts  in  1873,  who  was  born  in  Bondsville, 
Maw.  T  ey  have  one  child— William.  Mr.  Lockett  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  in  good  stand  inn. 

GEO.  F.  BLACKSTONE. 

Mr.  Blackstone's  home  is  in  Lacon,  though  he  has  been  employed  for  a  number  of  years  in  Peoria  as  U.  S. 
inspector  and  ganger.  His  fine  education  and  skill  in  mathematics  eminently  Qualify  him  for  the  position.  He  is 
a  native  of  Portland,  Maine,  and  the  advanced  ground  he  occupies  politically  is  due  to  his  early  education  and 
time.  He  opened  the  first  hardware  store  in  Lacon,  in  which  he  continued  until  appointed  to  his  present  position. 
In  1857  he  married  Elenora  A.  Bullman.  born  in  Lacon.  and  to  them  have  been  born  four  children— Blanche  B  , 
August  26, 1861;  Anne  L..  May  26,1868;  Boy  Lot,  July  20. 1871,  and  George  Raymond,  March  27,1874.  Also  one  child 
d .  ceased.  Mrs.  Blackstone  is  a  daughter  of  Lot  and  Anne  Bullman,  among  the  first  settlers  in  the  county  of  Mar- 
snail.  She  is  an  ardent  Cnristian,  and  an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance. 

OLNEY  BURTON. 

Mr.  Burton  is  a  retired  farmer,  born  in  Pomfret,  Windham  county,  Conn.,  in  1810.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1855,  settling  In  Macoupin  county,  wbere  he  lived  until  1S73,  when  he  went  to  Missouri.  The  country  there  did  not 
suit  him.  and  after  one  season's  trial  he  removed  to  Marshall  county,  where  a  married  daughter,  Mrs.  Weiderhold, 
was  living.  Here  he  has  since  remained.  In  1833  he  married  Louisa  Chandler,  who  became  the  mother  of  four 
children,  viz. :  Maria  Burlingame,  Mary  E.,  Fanny  and  aura  J.  He  is  well  versed  in  national  affairs,  and  likes  to 
converse  upon  them. 

ALFRED  SCRUTON. 

Mr.  Scruton  is  a  retired  farmer  who,  having  achieved  a  competence,  wisely  settles  down  to  enjoy  it.  He  was 
born  in  Stafford  county,  New  Hampshire  in  1818,  moved  to  Gloucester  City,  New  Jersey,  in  1845,  and  in  1854  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  La  Prairie  township.  He  married  Sylvia  Young  September  2, 1836,  born  in  New  Hampshire, 
and  to  them  five  children  have  been  given— William  H . ,  Anna,  Asenath  Augusta,  May  Flora  and  Olive  Kstella.  Are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Scruton  has  been  a  hard  worker,  and  having  carefully  husbanded  his 
means,  can  now  sit  beneath  his  own  vine  and  fig  tree  and  enjoy  the  fi  uits.  He  has  held  various  minor  offices  and 
been  honored  by  his  party  with  the  nonination  for  treasurer  of  the  county,  a  very  responsible  position. 

MRS.   EMILY  K.  DAVIS. 

Mrs.  Davis  was  wife  of  the  late  Dr.  Davis,  a  leading  physician  of  Lacon  and  most  respected  citizen,  who  died 
November  9, 1873.  She  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1829,  and  married  June  17, 1856,  in  Fulton 
county,  111.  Dr.  Davis  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Charles  Davis,  of  Henry,  and  born  in  Troy,  New  York.  Few  men  were 
more  entitled  to  respect  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors.  He  was  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  careful, 
respected  the  rights  of  others,  lived  within  Ms  means,  and  reared  his  family  in  the  "  nurture  and  admonition  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  685 

the  Lord.  He  was  an  excellent  physician,  and  enjoyed  a  good  practice  when  out  short  by  his  untimely  death.  To 
him  were  born  four  surviving  children— Charles  Fremont,  George  Sheaff.  Hattie  Estelle,  Franklin  Silver,  and  one 
deceased.  Mary  Emma.  Mrs.  Davis1  children  take  after  their  father,  and  stand  well  wherever  known.  Fremont  has 
a  good  position  in  the  Elgin  Watch  Factory,  George  is  a  farmer,  and  the  younger  children  are  with  their  mother, 
now  Mrs.  Turbitt,  she  having  re-married  April  13, 1875. 

EDWARD  GREEN. 

This  gentleman  is  a  resident  of  Lacon  and  a  dealer  in  boots,  shoes,  stationery  and  notions.  He  was  born  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1834,  and  with  his  parent?  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1837.  In  1864  he  married  Miss  Sarah 
Ellis,  a  native  of  Peoria  county,  111.  They  have  five  children,— Julia  E.,  Anna  M.,  Albert  E.,  Clara M.  and  Flor- 
ence P.  Mr.  Green  has  been  in  business  for  himself  since  1858,  and  keeps  constantly  on  hand  a  large  stock  of  boots 
shoes,  books,  stationery  and  notions. 

THOMAS  LOWE,  JR. 

Marble  Dealer,  Lacon,  Illinois. 

R.  C.  NEWELL. 

Mr.  Newell  is  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  was  brought  up  a  farmer,  When  three  years  old  his  parents  moved 
to  Ohio,  where  he  obtained  his  education,  and  thence  to  Indiana.  He  came  to  Lacon  in  1869.  In  1846  he  married 
Charlotte  F.  Ham,  born  in  Maryland,  to  whom  four  children  have  been  born— John  E.,  William  C.,  Frank  0.  and 
Robert  S.  Frank  is  the  western  manager  for  C .  H.  McCormick,  and  two  years  ago  was  sent  to  Russia  as  his  'repre- 
sentative, Last  year  he  visited  Australia,  was  gone  nine  months  and  sold  1200  machines.  Few  young  men  un- 
aided have  won  in  such  brief  time  positions  so  responsible  and  lucrative.  Mr.  Newell  is  agent  for  the  Halliday 
wind  mill,  and  does  an  extensive  business  in  the  sale  of  pumps  of  all  kinds.  He  is  enterprising  and  reliable,  and 
commands  the  esteem  of  all. 

NELSON  Gr.  HENTHORN. 

Mr.  Henthorn  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  in  1810,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Perry  county,  Ohio,  in 
1813,  and  to  Marshall— then  Putnam— county  in  1835.  His  family  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Lacon,  his 
brother-in-law,  Gen.  Babb,  having  been  one  of  the  prospectors  of  the  place.  His  father  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  M.  E.  church  here,  and  ite  first  leader.  He  was  the  second  person  interred  in  the  Litcon  cemetery.  Mr.  Hen- 
thorn  married  Elizabeth  G.  Moeller  in  1835,  and  came  to  Lacon  to  live  in  1848,  following  the  trade  of  contractor  and 
builder.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them— Charles  O.,  living  in  Chicago,  George,  in  Peoria,  Maria,  (Mrs. 
Clapp),  Sarah  and  Laura,  (teachers),  and  Lincoln  living  at  home.  Mr,  Henthorn  has  served  as  circuit  and  county 
clerk  for  several  years,  and  filled  various  minor  offices.  He  is  an  excellent  penman,  and  each  of  his  children  inherit 
his  skill.  Fwo  of  his  sons,  Charles  and  George,  served  in  the  army  during  the  rebellion. 

EDWARD  CORCORAN. 

Mr.  Corcoran  was  born  in  County  Waterford,  Ireland,  in  1830,  and  emigrated  to  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  in  1851,  and 
from  there  to  Illinois.  He  came  to  Lacon  in  1855  and  engaged  to  work  for  Jabez  Fisher.  His  aptitude  to  learn  and 
willingness  to  make  himself  useful  specially  commended  him  to  his  employer,  who  placed  him  in  charge  of  the  ferry, 
which  position  he  filled  for  seventeen  years,  retiring  from  it  to  take  the  position  of  city  watchman,  which  he  has 
since  filled.  In  1860  he  married  Catherine  Carney,  born  in  Ireland.  They  have  six  children  living— Willie  J.,  Eddie, 
Patrick,  Henry,  Maggie  (deceiised),  Thomas  and  Mary,  Mr.  Corcoran  has  become  thoroughly  Americanized,  and 
is  a  man  of  more  than  usual  intelligence. 

JACOB   HOCHSTRASSER. 

Mr.  Hochstrasser  is  a  brewer  by  profession,  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Prussia,  in  1846,  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  country  since  1865.  He  first  located  in  Dunkirk,  N.  Y.,  whence  he  moved  to  La  Salle,  111.,  in  1867.  He 
came  to  Lacon  in  1873,  where  he  embarked  in  the  brewing  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Jacob  Hochstrasser  & 
Co.  The  works  combine  all  the  modern  improvements  and  their  beer  is  popular  everywhere,  finding  large  sale  in  pri- 
vate families  as  well  as  saloons.  They  have  a  capacity  of  75  barrels  per  day,  and  supply  all  the  towns  around.  In 
1869  he  married  Caroline  Boers,  a  native  of  Prussia,  and  they  have  four  children  living— Augusta  E.,  Louis  W.,  Annie 
M.  and  Herman  W.  Two  are  dead.  Mr.  H.  is  a  liberal  German,  honest  in  his  transactions,  and  has  a  large  circle  of 
friends. 

JOHN  HUTCHINS. 

Mr.  Hutchins  is  a  successful  merchant  of  Lacon,  who  has  followed  the  mercantile  business  many  years.  His 
native  place  was  Worcester  county.  Mass,,  where  he  was  born  in  1829  and  lived  until  twenty  years  old,  whan  he  went 
south  and  followed  steamboating  on  the  Red  Kiver  and  the  Mississippi  until  the  spring  of  1851,  when  he  came  to 
Lacon  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  I860  he  went  south  again  and  was  appointed  by  Gen.  Allen 
agent  for  the  quartermaster's  department  of  the  U.  S.  army  serving  under  Generals  Curtis,  Strong  and  others.  He 
saw  much  millitary  service,  and  was  occasionally  called  upon  to  shoulder  a  musket  to  repel  expected  raids,  but  in 
the  course  of  three  years  obtained  a  sufficiency  of  military  glory,  and  in  1863  resigned  his  position  and  returned  to 
Lacon.  In  1867  he  married  Nellie  E.  Eckly,  born  in  Columbus,  Georgia,  of  an  old  and  highly  esteemed  family, 


686  RECORDS^OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

and  to  whom  two  surviving  children  have  been  given— Geo.  W.  and  Lacy.  In  1863  he  formed  a  very  successful  part- 
nership with  D.  C.  Wallace,  the  firm  doing  a  large  and  prosperous  business  until  Mr.  W.  retired,  since  when  Mr. 
Hutchins  has  continued  it  alone.  He  is  one  of  the  best  buyers  in  the  country,  a  careful  manager,  and  carries  a 
very  large  stork.  He  has  filled  various  official  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  has  been  an  active  worker  in 
church  and  Sabbath  schools,  and  sympathizes  with  all  the  great  reforms  of  the  day. 

DANIEL  HEINRICH. 

Mr.  Heinrich  was  born  in  Alsace,  formerly  a  province  of  France,  but  conquered  and  annexed  to  Germany  in 
1871.  He  was  born  in  1846,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1868,  remaining  in  New  York  city  two  years,  and  came 
to  Lacon  in  1870.  He  married  Ida  Boers  Oct.  5th.  1873,  a  native  of  Prussia,  and  two  children  have  been  born  to 
them— Bertha  M.  F.  and  Holdie  8.  He  is  a  me  mber  of  the  German Workingmen's  society,  and  an  intelligent,  useful 
citizen.  He  has  been  in  the  saloon  business  since  1877, 

JOSEPH  THIEDOHR. 

Mr.  Theidohr  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1826  and  came  to  this  country  in  1851,  locating  at  Chicago, 
where  he  built  up  a  flourishing  business  in  merchant  tailoring.  Tbe  great  fire  in  Chicago  burned  his  establishment 
and  in  1874,  being  offered  liberal  inducements,  be  came  to  Lucon.  In  1856  he  married  Wilhelmina  Daniel,  a  country- 
woman of  his,  by  whom  he  has  five  children  living— Leo,  Theodore,  Robert,  Annie  and  Adalbert,  and  five  deceased. 
As  a  tailor  Mr.  Theidohr  has  no  superiors  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  two  sons,  both  prat  tical  workmen,  turns  ont 
a  large  amount  of  work.  His  large  new  shop  is  stacked  with  the  finest  cloths,  etc.,  and  he  has  a  large  number 
of  orders  constantly  ahead.  Mr.  I'hiedohr  ia  much  attached  to  his  family,  and  widely  respected. 

JOHN  PIPER. 

Mr.  Piper  comes  from  a  long-lived  ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Fa.,  in  1816.  He  came  to 
Lacon  in  1852,  and  embarked  in  the  lumber  businew  the  succeeding  year,  continuing  in  the  business  until  1873. 
In  1843  he  married  Nancy  Pyle,  in  Pennsylvania.  She  died  in  1851  leaving  two  children,  Catherine  and  John.  In 
1856  be  married  AddaE.  Espy,  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  but  lived  in  Philadelphia  since  she  was  a  child.  Mr 
Piper  has  been  long  and  prominently  connected  with  the  educational  interests  of  Lacon,  is  a  man  of  liberal  views, 
large  hearted,  and  takes  a  decided  interest  in  whatever  promotes  the  general  interest. 

MRS.  NANCY  DE^ER. 

Mrs.  Dever  lives  in  Lacon,  and  was  born  in  the  State  of  Delaware,  in  1798.  She  came  with  her  parents  to 
Sciota  county,  Ohio  in  1809,  and  from  there  moved  t<>  Marion  county,  Ohio,  in  1826  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Deaver 
Sept.  27, 1827,  and  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1833.  Mr.  D.  died  Jan.  3, 1815,  leaving  four  children,  one  of  whom 
has  since  died ;  James,  William  and  Mary  are  still  living.  Her  brother,  llobert  Barnes,  settled  in  this  county  three 
years  before  she  came,  and  her  brother  Thomas  B.,  who  died  in  1362,  was  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon  in 
Whitefield  township,  Mrs  U.  and  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

LEONARD  C.  McMuRTRiE,  Atfy  at  Law  and  Insurance  Agent. 

Mr  McMurtrie  was  born  in  the  city  of  Peoria,  Dec.  2, 1848,  and  when  an  infant  moved  to  Princeville,  coming  to 
Lacon  in  1864.  His  education  was  received  at  ths  Lacon  high  school.  His  family  were  decidedly  above  the  aver- 
age in  ability  and  intelligence,  and  all  evince  a  high  order  of  musical  talent.  His  sisters  have  married  well,  and  are 
in  good  circumstances.  His  father  died  in  1878,  and  his  mother  is  still  living.  He  read  law  with  Burns  &  Barnes, 
in  this  place,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1872.  Finding  an  opening  for  a  strictly  office  lawyer  he  made  that  a 
speci&ltv  and  soon  worked  into  a  lucrative  business,  giving  over  the  active  practice  of  the  profession  to  others.  He 
has  been  very  successful  in  procuring  pensions,  and  does  a  large  insurance  business.  Has  served  his  township  an 
supervisor  and  collector  several  terms,  is  Master  in  Chancery  and  notary  public,  and  is  an  estimable,  public 
spirited  citizen  for  whom  the  future  has  much  in  store. 

J.    L.  MoiILER. 

Mr,  Mohler  is  a  prosperous  citizen  long  identified  with  the  interests  of  Lacon,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.,  in  1832.  When  two  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Stark  county,  Ohio,  where  his  father  was  long  a 
popular  hotel  keeper  and  made  money.  In  1856  he  married  Caroline  Ague,  and  two  years  later  moved  to  Lacon 
and  along  with  Henry  Fisher  embarked  in  the  grocery  trade.  He  is  shrewd  and  enterprising  in  business,  and  pros- 
pers in  whatever  he  undertakes.  After  some  years  they  dissolved  their  business  connection,  Mr.  Fisher  went  into 
the  army  and  Mr.  Mohler  built  the  fine  brick  store  he  now  occupies  and  embarked  in  the  grain  trade.  He  is  princi- 
pal owner  of  the  Lacon  elevator,  and  does  a  large  trade  in  grain ,  groceries  and  farm  machinery.  They  have 
one  child.  Olive,  and  an  adopted  daughter,  Hattie  B.  Johnson.  Mr.  Mohler  has  been  successful  beyond  most  men, 
and  deserves  all  his  good  fortune. 

C.  C.  GAPEN,  Postmaster. 

Mr.  Gapen  was  born  in  Geneva.  Fayette  county.  Pa  ,  July  17, 1808,  and  came  west  to  gciota  county,  Ohio,  in 
1830.  He  was  married  in  1832  to  Sarah  Fort,  a  native  of  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  and  to  them  four  children  were  bom- 
William  T.,  Washington  F.,  Mary  A.  and  Timothy  E.  In  1834  Mr.  Gapen  came  to  Crow  Creek,  and  was  employed 
in  Owen's  Mill.  The  county  was  then  new  and  sparsely  populated  and  the  people  for  fifty  miles  around  were  de- 
pendent upon  this  mill  for  their  Sour;  and  while  nearly  all  the  settlers  sutTered.from  the  effect*  of  ague,  the  locality 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  687 

abounded  in  game  and  fish,  and  was  literaly  a  "land  flowing  with  milk,  honey  and  venison.'1  Ill  1834  Mr.  G.  moved 
to  Stevenson  county.  111.,  at  that  time  the  third  family  in  the  county,  remaining  there  eight  years  and  then  returned 
to  Lacon,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  carried  on  the  blacksmithing  business  here  for  several  years  and  early  in 
the  late  war  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  blacksmith  shops  at  Jackson  and  Memphis,  Tenn.,  returning  in 
1863.  He  wa  s  in  Washington  at  the  time  Lincoln  was  assasinated,  and  remained  in  that  city  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  witnessing  the  grand  review  of  the  victorious  army  of  the  North.  Mr.  G.  was  appointed  postmaster  in  Lacon 
in  1870. 

* 

WILLIAM  R.  FAIRBANKS. 

Lacon,  Illinois. 

SARAH  E.  D.  COUTLETT. 

Mrs.  Contlett  was  born  in  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  March  21  1822.  She  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents  in 
1830.  Her  father,  James  Dever,  was  born  in  Virginia  near  Wheeling,  July  20.  1791.  Removed  to  Sciota  county, 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  when  a  young  man ,  and  married  Mary  Barnes,  March  6. 1817.  She  was  born  in  Maryland, 
Oct.  13  1799.  They  bad  f  even  children, of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third,  the  two  oldest  having  died 
in  infancy.  Her  father  died  Dec,  26, 1834.  and  her  mother  is  still  living  and  enjoys  fair  health,  although  in  her  81st 
year;  her  mind  is  as  cleai  and  bright  as  many  not  half  her  age.  Mrs.  C,  married  John  D.  Contlett  April  16, 18S9,  in 
Marshall  county.  They  had  seven  children ,  four  of  whom  died  while  her  husband  lived.  The  other  three  children 
are  still  living— Robert  B.,  Claannah  L.  and  William  H.  Mr,  Contlett  died  Oct.  15, 1878.  He  was  born  in  Lancaster 
Pa.,  Dec.  25,  1812,  and  moved  to  this  state  about  1833.  When  Mr.  Dever  came  to  Marshall  county  there  were  but 
few  families,  the  Roberts  and  Col.  Strawn's  and  three  other  families  residing  on  Round  Prairie,  and  two  men  who 
were  working  for  Col.  Strawn.  The  fort  was  built  around  Mr.  Devers  house,  which  was  occupied  by  the  settlers 
during  the  Indian  w<r.  Mr.  Dever  was  a  member  of  Capt.  Barnes*  company  of  volunteers.  He  was  one  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812  who  was  surrendered  by  the  treachery  of  Hull  at  Detroit,  Mich.  He  was  a  temperate 
min  in  all  matters,  and  although  not.  strictly  speaking,  a  church  member,  he  started  the  first  Sabbath  school  in 
the  county,  at  his  own  house,  which  has  been  continued  down  to  the  present  day.  Jos.-e  Hale  was  the  first  circuit 
preacher  permanently  located  in  Marshall  county,  and  made  his  home  at  Mr.  Cou tlett's  father's  house  when  he  held 
his  meetings  and  preached  for  one  year  iff  1833.  Zadoc  Hall  was  sent  from  conference  in  the  fall  of  that  year  and 
preached  at  Mr.  Dover's  also  until  the  fall  of  1834,  when  be  moved  to  another  station.  Mr.  Dever  having  died  that 
year,  church  service  was  soon  after  held  in  a  large  house  which  belonged  to  his  uncle,  John  Dever.  Mr.  Dever 
wa«  an  active,  energetic,  thrifty  man.  and  accumulated  a  competency,  which  he  left  his  three  daughters  surviving 
him.  He  was  a  very  successful  farmer,  Mr.  Coutlett  came  to  Lacon  about  1836,  and  brought  with  him  considera- 
ble means,  which  he  loaned,  and  lost  part  ot.  The  balance  he  invested  in  real  estate  which  improved.  Mr.  Dever 
was  a  Jackson  Democrat,  and  Mr.  Coutlett  was  a  Whig  and  Republican.  Mrs.  0.  lives  at  her  pleasant  home  sur- 
rounded by  old  friends  and  neighbors  and  sees  without  a  regret  the  years  go  by  and  the  time  approach  when  the 
Master  shall  call  her. 

JAMES  THOMPSON,  (deceased). 

The  ancestor  of  the  numerous  and  favorably  known  family  of  Thompsons  residing  in  Lacon  and  vicinity 
was  James  Thompson,  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  in  1813,  where  he  obtained  his  education  and  labored  on  a 
farm  until  24  years  of  age.  This  was  in  1837.  Emigration  then  was  tending  to  north  Central  Illinois  and 
tying  his  not  very  extensive  wardrobe  in  a  bundle  he  came  west,  finding  employment  with  John  Strawn  at  $7  per 
month.  It  is  not  probable  he  would  have  accepted  such  wages,  '>ut  his  mind  was  made  up  to  remain  in  this  coun- 
try and  Strawn  had  several  ruddy  cheeked  daughters  of  marriageble  age  with  one  of  whom,  Mary  Ann,  he  soon 
strnck  up  an  acquaintance.  In  the  fall  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  to  spend  the  winter  and  in  the  spring  came 
west  again,  embarking  at  Cincinnati  on  board  the  steamer.  Moselle.  She  had  a  large  cargo  of  freight  and  passen- 
gers, and  while  laying  at  the  wharf  at  Cincinnati  her  boilers  exploded  with  terriffic  effect,  carrying  away  the  whole 
forward  part  of  the  boat.  Mr.  Thompson  was  sitting  in  the  cabin  and  at  the  moment  went  on  to  the  hurricane 
deck,  which  he  had  no  sooner  reached  than  the  crash  came.  He  escaped  on  a  raft  that  lay  along  side  of  the  boat 
and  was  uninjured,  while  some  50  or  75  persons  were  killed.  His  companion  was  also  saved,  He  reached  herein 
the  spring  of  1838  and  again  went  to  work  for  Mr  Strawn.  In  December  he  was  married  and  began  housekeeping 
in  the  log  cabin  which  still  stands.  There  were  born  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  are  living  but 
the  eldest  which  died  in  infancy.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and  very  successful,  andjafter  living  here  fourteen  years  he 
came  to  Lacon  and  went  into  the  lumber  business.  He  died  of  consumption  in  1857. 

MRS.  MARY  A.  THOMPSON. 

Mrs.  Thompson  was  a  daughter  of  the  late  Col.  John  Strawn,  the  pioneer  settler  of  this  portion  of  Illinois. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio,  Feb.  28,  1820,  and  along  with  her  parents  came  to  this  country  when  nine  years  old.  Labor- 
ers then  were  few.  and  Mr.  Strawn's  family  were  early  taught  to  earn  their  bread  by  the  sweat  of  the  brow.  She 
labored  in  doors  with  her  mother,  and  assisted  out  of  doors  when  needed,  following  the  plow  in  tending  corn  along 
with  her  future  husband.  It  is  safe  to  say  the  discipline  was  a  good  one,  for  Mr.  Strawu's  girls  all  made  good 
wives  and  married  well.  One  day  herself  and  sister  Rachel  followed  the  wagon  trail  leading  to  the  river,  and  inside 
of  a  pen  near  the  site  of  the  present  woolen  mill,  beheld  the  festering  remains  of  five  Indians,  killed  in  a  drunken 
debauch.  In  1838  she  wedded  James  Thompson,  and  began  housekeeping  a  mile  north  from  her  father's,  where  her 


688  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

children  were  born.  After  a  happy  married  life  of  19  years,  her  husband  died,  leaving  six  helpless  children  to 
clothe  and  educate.  That  she  performed  by  them  her  whole  duty,  the  uniform  rectitude  of  their  lives  attests,  and 
like  the  Roman  matron  of  old  she  can  proudly  point  to  them  as  her  jewels.  She  has  been  a  life  long  member  of 
the  M.  K.  church,  and  a  faithful  and  devoted  Christian.  In  her  the  poor  always  found  a  friend,  and  the  needy 
were  not  turned  away  empty-handed.  When  Mr.  Thompson  died,  his  large  property  was  left  to  her  by  will,  and  as 
each  son  and  daughter  came  of  age  they  have  received  their  just  proportion. 

JOHN  S.  THOMPSON. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  December  26,  1841,  and  was  a  son  of  James  and  Mary 
A.  Thompson,  named  above.  He  lived  on  a  farm  until  twelve  years  old,  attending  the  schools  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  gaining  such  education  as  they  afforded.  He  early  showed  a  predilection  for  business,  and  his  success, 
marked  as  it  has  been,  is  due  to  himself  alone.  In  early  life  he  exhibited  much  shrewdness  in  baying  and  selling, 
and  in  Feb.,  1864.  entered  into  the  grocery  trade,  in  which  he  built  up  a  large  traffic.  He  attended  very  closely  to 
business,  following  it  successfully  for  five  years,  and  devoted  himself  to  loaning  money,  etc.  In  1864  he  married 
Eliza  H.  Norris,  who  brought  him  three  children— Charles  M.,  Jennie  E.,  and  John  I.  She  died  Januaryl.  1876.  and 
in  October  12, 1877,  he  married  his  present  wife,  Emma  J.  Norris,  to  whom  one  child  has  been  born — Ora  I.  Mr, 
Thompson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  squares  his  conduct  with  the  principles  therein  taught.  Few  men 
enjoy  to  a  greater  degree  the  tespect  of  the  community,  and  fewer  still  merit  it.  Mr.  Thompson  has  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  church,  temperance  and  Sabbath  school  work,  having  served  as  superintendent  for  many  years. 

SAMUEL  H.  THOMPSON. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  likewise  a  son  of  the  James  Thompson  mentioned  above,  and  was  born  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Hopewell  township,  January  1, 1843.  His  life  has  been  mainly  spent  in  this  county,  where  he  received  his 
education,  and  labored  on  the  farm  until 'embarking  in  business  for  himself.  In  1864  he  wedded  Miss  Nancy 
Strawn,  sister  of  the  Hon.  C.  C.  Strawn,  of  Pontiac,  and  granddaughter  of  Jeremiah  Strawn,  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Putnam  countv.  They  have  three  children — Martha.  Fred  8.,  and  Isabella.  In  1871  he  succeeded  his  brother 
in  the  grocery  trade,  and  has  continued  it  with  large  success  until  the  present  time.  As  a  merchant  he  has  few 
equals,  being  aclose  buyer,  a  good  collector,  and  an  excellent  judge  of  human  nature. 

JAMES  H.  THOMPSON. 

Another  son  of  James  and  Mary  Thompson  was  the  above  named,  now  a  prosperous  merchant  of  Lacon.  He 
was  born  at  the  old  homestead  in  Hopewell,  August  11,  1850,  and  educated  in  Lacon.  He  began  business  for  him- 
self in  1876.  sold  out  two  years  later,  and  in  1879  built  the  fine  store-room  he  now  occupies.  HP  has  displayed  a 
decided  aptitude  for  business,  and  in  the  short  time  he  has  been  in  trade  has  built  up  a  traffic  second  to  none  in 
the  place.  His  stock  is  large,  his  goods  are  fresh,  and  he  is  always  ready  to  attend  to  customers.  In  1860  he  mar- 
ried Mary  E.  Oillett,  born  in  Cleveland  Ohio,  and  to  them  one  child,  William  H.,  has  been  born. 

STEPHEN  DOUGLAS  THOMPSON. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  Lacon  in  1854,  and  is  a  member  of  the  well  known  family  of  that  name.  He  was 
educated  in  Lacon,  and  along  with  his  brother  embarked  in  the  grocery  and  provision  trade  here  in  1876,  following 
it  for  two  years.  October  2nd,  1877,  he  married  Annie  Redden,  born  in  Chicago.  They  have  one  child,  Mabel, 
bom  November  1, 1878. 

OTTO  BRATJNS. 

Mr.  Branns  is  a  resident  of  Lacon  and  proprietor  of  a  hotel,  restaurant  and  saloon.  He  was  born  in  the  prov- 
ince of  Saxony,  Nordhausen.  Germany,  in  1834,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1854,  first  locating  in  Peoria.  and  set- 
tling in  Lacon  in  1876.  In  1864  he  was  married  in  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Hhroder.  a  native  of  Bavaria. 
They  have  four  children  living— Fred,  Caroline,  Charles  and  Attilla.  April  21,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  8th  111. Vol. 
Inf.,  served  three  months,  re-enlisted  in  the  same  regiment  and  served  three  years.  At  Fort  Donelson,  Feb.  15, 1862, 
he  was  wounded  in  the  breast  by  a  cannon  ball.  He  participated  in  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  being  in  the  battles 
of  Vicksburg,  Champion  Hills,  Fort  Gibson  and  other  hard -fought  engagements,  and  when  mustered  out  July  25, 
1864,  had  attained  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  Mr.  Brauns  served  in  the  royal  army  of  Prussia  from  1849  to  1851, 
before  coming  to  this  country. 

CAPTAIN  JONATHAN  C.  KINGSLEY,  County  Clerk. 

Captain  Kingsley  was  born  in  II<wrison  county.  Indiana,' Dec,  7.  1839,  his  father  being  a  farmer,  who  died 
when  he  was  seven  years  old,  leaving  a  numerous  family  of  helpless  children  unprovided  for.  Times  were  hard, 
the  country  was  poor,  and  it  was  a  hard  struggle  to  provide  food  and  clothing,  the  tirst  essentials  of  living,  so  that 
all  else  was  neglected.  All  who  could  do  so  must  labor,  even  at  the  cost  of  education,  so  young  Jonathan  was  early 
hired  out,  working  early  and  late  for  $3  00  a  month.  He  was  stout  and  active,  and  willing  to  work,  and  never 
lacked  opportunity.  While  but  a  boy  he  made  two  trips  down  the  Mississippi  on  a  flatboat,  thus  seeing  for  the  first 
time  countries  he  was  afterward  to  traverse  with  armed  men,  carrying  fire  and  sword.  When  17  years  old  he  moved 
to  Peoria  county,  and  engaged  to  labor  on  a  farm  at  $16  a  month,  remaining  there  3  years.  In  1858  he  rerted  a  farm, 
a  friend  going  his  security.  The  season  was  bad,  no  crops  were  raised,  and  at  the  end  he  found  himself  in  riebt. 
About  this  time,  too,  he  borrowed  a  horse  of  a  neighbor,  which  died  on  his  hands;  but  he  went  manfully  to  work  by 
the  month  and  paid  all  claims.  In  1859  he  made  a  claim,  and  along  with  two  other  young  men,  too  poor  to  own 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  689 

wives,  kept  bachelors  hall  until  the  war  broke  oat,  and  all  went  into  the  service .  Intelligence  was  had  that  a  ren- 
dezvous for  cavalry  was  formed  at  Peoria,  and  young  Kingsley,  saddling  his  horse,  rode  across  the  country  and 
enlisted  in  the  1st  111.  Cavalry,  April  25, 1861,  The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Missouri,  where  it  joined  Mulligan's 
command,  got  cooped  up  at  Lexington,  and  after  a  hard  fight  was  compelled  to  surrender,  and  they  returned  home 
under  parole.  He  promptly  enlisted  in  the  86th  Infantry,  and  was  elected  1st  Lieutenant.  The  command  soon 
devolved  upon  him,  and  until  discharged  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  service  he  had  the  company  in  charge,  except 
when  detailed  for  special  service  •  He  fought  under  Buelat  Perryville,  and  Rosecransat  Chickamauga;  was  with 
brave  old  Pap  Thomas  previous  to  Atlanta,  and  with  Sherman  in  the  memorable  march  to  the  sea.  He  helped 
corduroy  the  Carolinas,  participated  in  the  marches  and  battles  that  humbled  the  rebels  and  brought  them 
under  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  finally  joined  in  the  triumphal  homeward  march  to  Washington,  where  the  last  grand 
parade  of  the  grandest  army  that  ever  carried  a  banner  took  place.  In  1862  Captain  Eingsley  wedded  Mies  Mary 
Agnes  Bell.and  to  them  seven  children  have  been  given,  four  of  whom  survive,  viz  ,  Henry  8..  Sarah,  Isabel.  Minerva 
Agnes  and  an  infant.  In  1873  he  was  elected  county  clerk  of  Marshall  county,  and  again  in  1877,  filling  the  posi- 
tion to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  constituents,  and  making  one  of  the  best  officials  the  county  ever  had.  In  1879 
he  helped  organize  Co.  11.  of  the  7th  Reg.  I.  N.  (!.,  and  was  elected  captain.  He  is  self-made  and  self-educated, 
never  elated  by  success  nor  cast  down  by  adversity,  but  doing  his  duty  as  he  understands  it. 

JUDGE  JOHN  BURNS 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  this  district,  and  resides  in  Lacon.  He  was  born 
in  Brook  county,  Va.,  in  1819,  moved  to  Morgan  county.  111.,  in  1834,  and  in  1835  located  in  Marshall  county.  After 
a  thorough  course  of  study  and  mental  training  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1861,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  until  1873,  when  he  was  elected  Ji'dge  of  the  Circuit  Court.  In  1879  he  was  re-elected  for 
an  additional  term  of  six  years.  In  1851  he  married  Percilla  Cannun,  a  native  of  Peoria  county,  who  died  in  1866, 
leaving  six  children— Julius  C.,  Julia,  Lizzie,  William,  and  Ada.  In  1869  he  married  Mrs.  C.  A.  Stedham,  a  native 
of  Delaware,  who  by  a  former  marriage  had  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Bellows,  of  Washington,  111.,  wife  of  a  well  known 
engineer  on  the  G.  &  A.  R.  R.  In  early  life  Judge  Burns  was  a  successful  school  teacher.  In  1S44  he  was  elected 
recorder  of  deeds,  and  in  1846  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  and  the  next  election  was  re-elected.  In  1856 
he  was  candidate  for  State  Senator,  and  in  1861  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention.  He  was  mayor  of 
Lacon  Tor  several  years,  and  has  filled  various  other  offices  of  trust  and  profit  As  Judge  he  is  deservedly  popular, 
and  his  name  as  a  jurist  stands  high.  He  has  often  been  called  upon  to  preside  in  cases  outside  of  his  district,  was 
favorably  spoken  of  as  judge  of  the  Appellate  court.  Judge  Burns  is  polished  in  manners,creates  a  good  impression 
among  strangers,  and  is  universally  commended  for  his  fairness  in  the  trial  of  cases. 

WILLIS  H.  FORD. 

Mr.  Ford  is  at  present  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lacon,  a  position  he  has  worthily  filled  for 
several  years.  He  is  a  son  of  Allen  N.  Ford,  the  veteran  editor,  and  was  born  here  in  1848.  After  securing  a  full 
course  of  training  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place  he  entered  Bryant  &  Stratum's  Business  College,  where 
he  completed  his  education  In  1875  he  married  Ellen  E.  Wilson,  born  in  this  town,  and  to  them  two  children  have 
been  born,  Norman  J.  and  Qeorgie  A.  He  has  been  with  the  First  National  Bank  since  1874. 

K.  A.  WRIGHT. 

A  retired  dry  goods  merchant  residing  in  Lacon.  He  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1840,  and  located  in 
Lacon  in  1865,  carrying  on  the  dry  goods  business  with  a  partner  by  the  name  of  Mills.  Beside  the  establishment 
in  this  city,  the  firm  also  bad  a  store  in  Sparland,  in  which  place  Mr.  Wright  made  his  home  from  1868  to  1872.  In 
1870  he  married  Charlotte  Thenins,  a  native  of  Steuben  township.  They  have  two  children,  Beatrice  and  Freder- 
ick. Mrs.  Wright  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  and  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has 
served  two  terms  as  sheriff  of  Marshall  county,  being  elected  to  that  office  in  1872  and  re-elected  in  1874. 

WILLIAM  KIEL. 

Mr.  Riel  is  the  proprietor  of  a  livery  and  feed  stable  in  Lacon.  He  was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  in  1838, 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  first  settling  in  Burlington,  Wis.,  and  in  1858  located  in  Lacon.  He  first  engaged 
in  contracting  and  teaming,  which  he  followed  until  1861,  and  then  embarked  in  his  present  occupation.  He  now 
has  the  government  contract  for  carrying  the  mails  between  Lacon  and  Sparland.  In  11872  he  married  Elizabeth 
Lesch,  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Hesse,  near  Marbourg.  They  have  five  children— Theodore,  Emma,  Elizabeth, 
Annie  and  William.  Mrs.  Heil  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

ALLEN  N.  FORD. 

Mr.  Ford  was  born  in  Thompson  county,  New  York,  December  4, 1807,  and  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  but  was 
apprenticed  to  the  printing  business  at  an  early  day,  of  which  he  became  afthorough  master.  In  1829  he  first 
saw  New  York,  working  there  about  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Hartford.  Ct.,  going  in  a  sailboat  to  New  Haven,  aad 
thence  on  foot.  Here  he  remained  eight  years,  working  steadily  at  his  trade  of  book  and  newspaper  making. 
He  married  here  in  1833  Miss  Sabrina  Loveland,  born  in  Connecticut,  and  to  them  four  children  have  been  given- 
three  of  whom  survive,  viz.,  Henry  A,,  one  of  the  leading  editors  and  educators  of  Michigan;  Frank  D.,  a  printer; 
and  Willis  H.,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1837  he  came  to  what  is  now  Lacon,  and  established  the  Mar- 
shall County  Herald,  continued  to-day  in  the  Home  Journal.  For  thirty-two  years  he  continued  its  publication, 


690  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

until  1866,  when  it  paused  into  the  hands  of  its  present  owner.  After  forty  years  of  newspaper  work,  he  retired 
from  the  business  to  spend  his  days  in  his  pleasant  home.  Mr.  Ford  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  living  representa- 
tive of  th«  press  in  the  State,  and  the  journal  he  established  is  the  oldest  in  Central  Illinois. 

JOHN  BEBKY. 

Mr.  Berry  was  born  in  the  city  of  Limerick,  Ireland,  August  24th,  1844.  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849, 
first  settling  in  Boston.  Mass.,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  located  in  Lacon,  where  he  has  since  remained. 
He  is  the  proprietor  of  a  saloon,  and  has  been  engaged  in  business  for  himself  since  1868.  In  1876  he  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  soda  water,  and  now  supplies  large  quantities  of  this  harmless  and  refreshing  beverage  to  the 
trade  in  Lacon  and  neighboring  towns.  He  also  manufactures  all  other  descriptions  of  temperance  drinks. 

THOMAS  TERRY. 

Mr.  Terry  was  born  in  County  Waterford,  Ireland,  in  1834,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849.  locating  in  La- 
Salle.  where  he  remained  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Lacon  and  went  into  the  leather  business.  In  1859  he  went 
into  the  grocery  business;  has  been  once  burned  out,  and  regained  all,  and  now  has  one  of  the  largest  stocks,  and  is 
one  of  the  must  successful  business  men  in  the  place.  Mr.  Terry  is  a  leading  member  of  the  City  Council,  has  held 
other  important  offices,  and  is  held  in  much  esteem  by  his  neighbors.  In  1860  he  wedded  Ellen  McDonald,  who 
brought  him  three  children  living  to-day— Mary  E.,  Margaret  G.,  Catherine  E.  and  four  tons.  Two  of  his  brothers 
are  priests  in  the  Catholic  Church,  one  of  them  the  well  known  Father  Terry,  of  Ottawa.  Mr.  Terry  has  accumu- 
lated a  goud  property,  and  enjoys  the  respect  of  the  community. 

IRVING  BROADDUS. 

Mr.  Br  naddns  was  born  in  Hopewell  township,  Marshall  county,  in  1840.  and  was  a  son  of  Lnndsford  Broad- 
das,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  township.  The  place  he  occupies  is  one  of  the  very  oldest  and  upon  his  grounds 
was  built  the  first  stole  and  kept  the  first  school  ever  taught  in  Marshall  county.  In  1863  he  wedded  Ruth  Forbes, 
born  in  Hopewell.  and  together  they  have  five  children— Savella  A..  Cora  E.,  Lillie  Mav,  Walter  J.  and  Nancy  R. 
Mr.  B-  is  a  good  farmer,  and  his  services  are  in  demand  asan  auctioneer.  He  is  a  good  judge  of  stock  likes  a  good 
horse,  is  not  afraid  of  hard  work,  and  is  considered  a  successful  farmer. 

DR.  Lucius  G.  THOMPSON. 

Dr.  Thompson  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  though  his  parents  removed  from  there  when  he  was  but  two  years 
old  to  Western  New  York,  not  far  from  Rochester.  Here  he  lived  until  1836,  and  then  moved  to  Lake  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  received  his  education  and  began  the  study  of  medicine,  graduating  from  Starling  College,  Columbus. 
Immediately  after  he  removed  to  this  place,  and  has  been  in  constant  practice  over  thirty  years.  Previous  to  leav- 
ing for  the  West  he  married  Mary  A.  Linnel,  in  Greenville,  Ohio,  and  they  have  three  living  children— Calista  L., 
Nellie  M.  and  Francis  Wayland.  They  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  the  Doctor  has  been  a  liberal 
supporter  for  many  years.  Besides  his  medical  practice,  the  Doctor  has  been  actively  engaged  in  business,  and  is 
one  of  the  successful  men  of  the  town.  He  is  a  safe  counsellor,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  best  physicians  in  the 
county.  .  • 

DR.  W.  W.  DEAN. 

Dr.  Dean  came  from  Plymouth  county,  Mass.,  where  he  was  born  in  1835,  his  parents  removing  to  Tazewell 
county,  Illinois,  the  year  he  was  born.  Here  he  obtained  his  education,  and  studied  his  profession  in  Peoria 
county.  An  elder  brother.  Frederick,  was  a  successful  dentist,  and  probably  influenced  his  choice.  After  passing 
the  usual  examination  he  removed  to  Tazewell  county  and  worked  one  year,  after  which  he  removed  to  Lacon  in 
the  fall  in  1860.  He  is  a  careful  and  conscientious  workman  an<l  soon  picked  up  a  large  practice,  which  he  retains. 
In  1866  he  married  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Palmer  (formerly  Crane),  to  whom  has  been  born  one  daughter— Lucy.  Mrs. 
Dean  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  L.  Crane,  and  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Lacon. 

JESSE  Q.  HALL. 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  in  Hopewell  township  in  1833.  and  is  a  son  of  James  Hall,  still  living,  who  came  there  in 
1830.  He  was  brought  up  a  farmer,  obtaining  his  education  at  the  old  log  school  house  on  the  B/oaddus  place. 
Up  to  1863  he  labored  on  the  farm,  when  he  came  to  Lacon,  and  entered  the  lumber  business  along  with  Captain 
Mayer,  in  1866.  He  also  engaged  in  the  liverv  business,  following  it  very  successfully  for  many  years.  In  1854  he 
married  Bell  Shepherd,  born  in  Ohio,  who  died  in  1864,  leaving  him  three  children— James.  Eva  and  Cora.  In  1867 
he  married  Mary  Weaklam,  born  in  Essex  county.  New  York,  She  was  a  very  successful  school  teacher,  and  much 
admired  by  her  friends.  Four  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage— Tracy  Q.,  Burton  J.,  Mabel  L.  and  Edna 
June. 

ROBERT  B.  EDWARDS. 

Mr,  Edwards  was  born  in  Roberts  township  Marshall  county,  September  10, 1844,  and  was  a  son  of  Chas,  T. 
Edwards,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  township.  HR  was  educated  at  Clark's  Seminary.  Aurora,  and  graduated 
from  the  N.  W.  University.  Eva~ston,  in  1872.  Having  chosen  the  profession  of  law,  he  became  a  studeni  with 
Bangs  &  Shaw,  andafteran  unusual  close  application  to  study  and  thorough  mastery  of  principles  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  September  11, 1874,  and  began  practice  in  Lacon.  In  December,  1875,  he  married  Almira  J,  Johnson, 


'BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  691 

bom  in  this  county .  lu  1864  he  shouldered  a  musket  and  went  south  to  aid  in  putting  down  the  rebellion,  enlisting 
in  Co.  1. 141st  Keg.  111.  Vol.,  and  was  appointed  first  duty  sergeant.  In  1874  he  became  a  partner  in  the  firm  of 
Bangs,  Shaw  &  Edwaids,  one  of  the  leading  law  firms  of  the  district,  in  which  he  still  remains.  He  is  industrious 
and  painstaking,  and  possesses  the  ability  and  the  push  to  take  him  to  the  top  round  of  the  forensic  ladder. 

F.  S.  SMITH. 

Mr,  Smith  is  a  resident  of  Lacon  who  is  connected  with  the  Chicago,  Alton  and  St.  Louis  Railroad  in  the 
capacity  of  conductor.  He  was  born  in  DeKalb  county,  in  this  State.  April  10, 1847,  and  moved  to  Lacon  in  1874. 
In  1873  he  married  Mary  Sickles,  a  native  of  Tazewell  county,  by  whom  he  has  three  children— Jessie,  Kittie  and 
Nellie.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  engaged  in  railroading  about  fifteen  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and 
belongs  to  the  Railroad  Conductors'  Mutual  Aid  and  BeneSt  Society  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  Mrs.  8.  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

PHILIP  LONG. 

Mr.  Long  is  a  native  of  Franklin  county.  Pa  ,  where  he  was  born  in  1829.  He  was  carefully  educated,  and 
early  became  an  active  and  influential  citizen,  filling  various  offices,  and  serving  one  term  in  the  State  Legislature. 
In  1867  he  married  Adessa  J.  McKinney,  born  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.  They  have  three  children  living— Joseph 
M.,  David  8.  and  Jennie.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1867,  and  for  several  years  followed  teaching.  Was  candidate  for 
county  superintendent  of  schools,  and  filled  other  offices.  Of  late  years  he  has  followed  the  purchase  and  shipment 
of  stock,  etc. 

JAMES  WESCOTT. 

Clerk  of  Circuit  Court  of  Marshall  county. 

EGBERT  HALSEY. 

Mr.  Halsey  was  born  in  Suffolk  county,  on  Long  Island.  N.  Y.,  in  1832  and  lived  there  until  he  attained  his 
majority.  The  Halseys  were  seafaring  men,  and  the  family  escutcheon  bears  the  name  and  deeds  of  more  than  one 
gallant  sailor  in  the  days  of  clipper  ships  and  privateers.  In  1864  he  came  to  Galena,  and  was  junior  partner  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  firm  of  1!  F.  Felt  &  Co.  Disposing  of  his  interest  here,  he  came  to  Lacon  in  1862.  and  helped 
form  the  firm  of  Ellsworth  &  Halsey,  who  did  a  large  and  flourishing  business  up  to  1867,  when  the  senior  partner 
went  into  the  newspaper  business,  and  he  succeeded  to  the  business  of  the  firm,  which  he  has  prosecuted  success- 
fully to  the  present  time.  In  1866  he  married  Mrs.  Libbie  J.  Shaw  (Maxwell),  of  Sullivan  county,  Intl.,  to  whom 
one  child  was  born,— Evelyn.  Mrs.  Shaw  was  widow  of  Captain  Fred  Shaw,  a  gallant  officer  of  the  llth  111.,  who 
fell  at  Donelson.  and  had  two  children  previous  to  this  marriage,  -Mary  llice  and  Charles  Fred. 

LEWIS  SPECK. 

Mr.  Speck  was  born  on  the  river  Rhine,  in  Germany,  in  1829,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  locating  in 
New  York.  From  there  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  and  finally  found  his  way  to  Lacon  in  1858.  He  was  industrious  and 
a  bard  worker,  and  easily  found  employment  In  1859  he  established  the  butchering  business,  which,  with  a  brief 
interval,  he  has  since  followed.  In  it  he  has  been  very  successful,  amassing  a  large  property.  In  1831  he  married 
Alvinu  Zilm,  by  whom  he  has  five  children,— Henry,  Louisa,  Ferdinand,  and  infant  twins.  Mr.  Speck  is  an  excel- 
lent butcher,  very  accommodating  and  popular. 

CHARLES  H.  DRESSLER. 

Mr.  Dressier  (barber  and  hair-dresser)  was  born  in  Prussia,  and  left  the  Fatherland  in  1873,  coming  to  Chicago. 
He  remained  there  five  years,  and  removed  to  Lan>n,  where  he  settled  in  1877  and  began  work  for  Fred  Peters.  His 
first  start  in  business  for  himself  was  in  Varna  where  he  started  a  shop,  and  not  succeeding  to  suit  himself,  sold 
out  and  removed  to  Lacon,  opening  the  popular  establishment  he  still  runs.  He  is  a  good  workman,  is  very  indus- 
trious, and  is  much  thought  of  in  the  community, 

WILLIAM  H.  RENSHAW. 

Mr.  Renshaw  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  North  Carolina,  in  1828,  emigrated  to  Indiana  in  1831.  and  to  Illinois 
in  1847,  "-here  he  engaged  in  farming,  at  which  he  was  very  successful.  In  1849  he  married  Susan  E.  Martin,  born 
in  Illinois,  and  six  children  were  born  to  them, — John  H.,  Mary  P.,  Nancy  J.,  Sarah  F.,  Clara  E.  and  William  H. 
Mrs.  Renshaw  died  in  1858.  His  second  wife.  Matilda  E.  Armstrong,  he  wedded  in  1870,  and  thev  have  one  child,— 
Alvira  M.  His  eldest  son,  John,  has  been  for  several  years  a  resident  of  Washington,  where  he  has  a  position  in  the 
U.  S.  Topographical  Department.  One  of  his  daughters  is  also  tbere.  He  has  been  for  a  number  of  years  in  the 
grain  trade  with  J.  L.  Mohler.  and  is  steamboat  agent,  etc. 

FRANCIS  H.  STIRE. 

Mr.  Stire  was  born  in  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  in  1837,  his  father  being  a  farmer  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, who  died  when  he  was  young.  He  obtained  an  education  there,  and  after  the  usual  experiences  and  vicis- 
situdes of  a  young  man,  came  west.  Came  to  Marshall  county  in  1856,  locating  in  Wenona,  and  in  1859  married 
Lydia  Dye,  born  in  Plainfield,  N.  J.  They  have  one  child,  Aiathea.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  104th  111.,  Vol., 
and  immediately  went  to  the  front.  He  was  engaged  in  some  of  the  severest  battles  of  the  war,  was  in  Sherman's 


692 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN  TIME. 


campaign  to  Atlanta,  and  afterwards  in  the  march  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolines,  terminating  with  the  sur- 
render of  Johnson.  Returning,  he  shared  in  the  triumphal  review  at  Washington,  was  mustered  out  in  Chicago  in 
June,  1365,  and  returned  to  his  family.  In  1866  he  embark-  d  in  the  grain  business  in  Lacon,  and  in  1873  in  the 
commission  business  in  Chicago.  After  that  he  went  to  New  York  and  spent  a  year,  and  returning  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Richard  Oell  and  went  into  the  clothing  business,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  In  1880  he 
built  the  fine  store  room  the  firm  occupies  —  one  of  the  best  in  the  city.  Mr.  Btire  and  family  possess  fine  musical 
and  social  abilities,  and  have  many  friends. 

ANDREW  McKEON  (deceased). 

Mr.  McKeon  was  born  in  county  Monaghan,  Ireland,  in  1836,  and  came  to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day, 
remained  some  time  at  Chicago,  and  finally  located  in  Lacon,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  making  and 
upholstering.  He  became  thoroughly  master  of  the  business,  and  in  1854  set  up  for  himself.  He  put  into  it  all  -is 
energies,  giving  it  his  attention  early  and  late,  and  from  the  first  it  was  successful.  In  1861  he  married  Sarah  Sta- 
cy, born  in  the  same  county  with  himself,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children  —Jennie  L..  Francis  J.,  Andrew  B., 
May,  Thomas  and  Rdsella.  Mr.  McKeon  died  November  IS.  1878.  Himself  and  family  belonged  to  the  Catholic 
church,  in  which  he  was  an  influential  and  leading  member.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  his  friends,  was  conscien- 
tious in  his  business  relations,  and  respected  by  all. 

WILLIAM  S.  WOLLARD. 

Mr.  Wollard  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Licking  county,  in  that  state,  in  1846,  where  he  received  his  educa- 
tion, locating  in  Lacon  in  1870  He  evinced  his  patriotism  by  enrolling  himself  in  the  service  of  his  country  in  Co. 
B,  48th  Ohio  Vol.  Infantry,  in  1866,  as  soon  as  his  age  rendered  him  eligible  for  enlistment,  and  served  until  mus- 
tered out  with  his  regiment  at  Galveston,  Texas,  in  1866,  In  1870,  soon  after  settling  in  Lacon,  he  was  appointed 
Deputy  Clerk  of  Marshall  Bounty,  and  the  fact  that  he  still  retains  the  position  is  the  best  evidence  of  his  fidelity 
and  fitness  in  the  discharge  of  the  responsible  duties  which  devolve  upon  the  encumbent  of  that  office.  Mr.  Wol- 
lard was  admitted  to  the  bar  as  an  attorney  in  December,  1879.  He  is  a  member  of  Oapt  Kingsley's  company  (h) 
7th  Reg.,  I.  N.  G. 

JASON  R.  CHAPMAN. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  born  in  Hartford  connty.  Conn.,  in  1829,  and  came  with  his  parent*  to  Lacon  when  15  years 
old.  He  went  into  the  employ  of  J.  Jfc  C.  Fisher  at  an  early  day  ,  and  when  the  firm  changed  to  William  Fisher  & 
Co.  .remained  with  them.  He  was  a  great  favorite  of  Jabez  Fisher,  and  his  promotion  was  rapid.  He  w;u  a  good 
penman,  and  soon  became  thoroughly  master  of  book-keeping  and  had  entire  charge  of  the  correspondence  and 
liuances  of  the  concern,  conducttr  g  the  business  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  employers.  He  left  their  employ 
to  organize  the  firm  of  Chapman  &  Patrick,  afterward  changed  to  fisher  &  Chapman,  which  continued  until  1868. 
Afterward  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bensley,  Chapman  &  Shinn,  in  Chicago,  and  went  into  the  produce 
and  commission  business.  In  1871  he  returned  to  Lacon  and  became  connected  with  the  house  of  John  Hutchins, 
and  in  1880  established  the  extensive  dry  goods  house  over  which  he  presides  at  present.  In  1862  he  was  elected 
county  clerk  for  five  years,  served  two  years  as  treasurer  ,  and  has  filled  other  offices  of  trust.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  and  has  three  children. 

JOSEPH  E.  ONG. 

Mr.  Ong  was  born  in  Henry,  Marshall  connty,  in  1845,  and  with  his  parents  removed  to  Magnolia  when  two 
years  old.  Moved  to  Lacon  iu  1860,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  company  C.49th  111.  Volunteers,  and  fonght  in  the  battle 
of  Perryville  in  Sheridan's  division  when  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and  after  lying  in  the  hospital 
some  time  was  disharged  for  disability.  In  1873  he  married  Kitty  McFadden,  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio  They  have 
two  children,  \rmand  P.  and  Eugene  R.  He  read  law  with  Judge  Burns,and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1869;  served 
eight  years  as  Master  in  Chancery,  and  has  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  real  estate, 
and  holds  a  targe  amount  of  western  lands. 

WASHINGTON  E.  COOK. 

The  ancestor  of  the  Cook  family  was  Elijah  Cook,  who  came  over  with  the  Pilgrims  and  settled  in  Connecti- 
cut Among  bis  dependents  was  Ebenezer,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who  at  its  close  removed  to  Oneida  county, 
New  York,  in  the  town  of  Augusta,  and  with  eleven  stalwart  sons  and  two  daughters  made  a  large  farm  that  was 
for  long  years  after  known  as  "Cook's  Corners-"  One  of  these  sons  was  Ebenezer,  and  he  married  Sonora  Combs, 
to  whom  iu  the  year  of  grace  1808.  on  the  29th  day  of  December,  was  bora  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  father 
too  was  a  soldier,  and  served  on  the  northern  frontier  in  the  war  of  1812,  for  which  long  after  death  his  widow  drew 
a  pension.  By  occupation  he  was  »  cattle  drover.and  likewise  run  a  hotel  long  and  favorably  known  to  travelers  of 
that  day.  During  her  husband's  long  journeys  his  wife  attended  to  the  bouse,  and  here  young  Cook  lived  until 
eleven  years  old,  when  his  father  died  and  he  was  sent  to  learn  the  hatter's  trade  ;  but  it  did  not  suit  his  active  tem- 
perament, and  after  a  year  or  so  he  left  and  took  a  situation  in  a  store,  following  the  business  several  years.  Next 
he  went  to  New  York  and  obtained  a  place  in  a  hotel.  Stayed  a  year  and  went  to  Honsdale,  Pa.,  where  he  not  only 
found  a  situation  but  a  wife  in  the  person  of  pretty  Eunice  A.  Kellogg,  whom  he  married  May  16,  1832.  He  pur- 
chased a  hotel  here  which  he  run  four  years,  sold  out  and  moved  to  Dunkirk,  where  he  turned  surveyor  and  helped 
lay  out  the  Buffalo  and  Erie  railway.  In  June,  1833,  he  went  to  Birmingham,  Ohio,  and  embarked  in  merchandis- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  693 

ing,  following  it  with,  varying  success  for  nine  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  with  bis  family  came  to  Senachwine. 
Illinois,  where  big  sister  (Mrs.  Morgan)  and  four  brothers  had  already  settled.  Here  he  bought  of  Col.  Snyder  320 
acres  of  land  for  $1,280,  most  of  it  under  improvement.  The  place  has  since  been  known  as  the  Harney  farm.  He 
cultivated  it  for  three  years  and  sold  it  for  $4,000,  reserving  the  crop.  That  fall  he  removed  to  Henry  to  "lay  on 
his  oars"  until  fall,  when  he  was  elected  county  clerk  and  moved  to  Lacon  in  1847.  He  bought  a  house  of  Silas 
Kamsey,  opposite  the  court  house,  where  he  lived  until  it  burned  down  in  October,  1862,  and  he  moved  to  the  place 
where  he  ever  after  lived.  He  served  three  terms  of  four  years  each  as  supervisor,  making  twenty-two  years  of  ser- 
vice in  the  county  board.  Hewasone  of  the  best  officials  the  county  ever  had.  His  records  are  clear  and  the 
writing  good.  Was  several  times  a  candidate  for  the  legislature,  held  various  offices  of  trust,  was  personally  very 
popular,  and  though  defeated  at  times,  invariably  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket.  In  1860  he  was  a  deleRate  to  the 
Charleston  convention  where  the  great  split  in  the  Democratic  party  occurred  that  made  possible  the  election  of 
President  Lincoln,  He  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  Philadelphia  National  convention  of  1868.  He  was  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order  and  a  Knight  Templar,  was  punctual  and  regular  in  his  attendance  at  the  lodge,  and  took 
deep  interest  in  its  workings.  Previous  to  his  death  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the  construction  of  a  new  line  of 
railroad  through  Lacon.  He  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters  born  to  him,  Geo.  W.  E.,  living  at  home,  Nellie  E. 
(Mrs.  Warner)  living  in  Montana,  Isabel  B.  (Mrs.  Garratt),  and  Martin  K..  deceased.  The  latter  was  a  very  perse- 
vering  young  man,  who  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  enlisted  in  the  4th  111.  Cavalry,  was  promoted  lieutenant 
and  served  on  Gen.  Hurlburt's  and  Canby's  staffs.  He  was  three  years  in  the  service,  and  after  his  return  was 
killed  by  the  premature  discharge  of  his  gun  while  hunting.  Mrs.  Cook  lives  at  home  with  her  eldest  son,  and  looks 
after  the  large  property  left  her  by  her  husband.  She  is  kind  to  the  poor,  and  beloved  by  all  her  friends. 

GK  A.  MOATS. 

Mr.  Moats  is  by  education  a  practical  book-keeper,  and  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  in  1849.  He  came  to 
Illinois  to  see  some  friends  in  1872  and  finding  employment  with  J.L.  Mohler,  has  remained  here  ever  since.  In  1873 
he  married  Josephine  Pichereau,  the  accomplished  dangher  of  A.  Picherean,  of  Marshall  county,  and  to  them  has 
been  born  one  child,  Mabel.  Mrs.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  M.  has  charge  of  the  correspondence 
and  finances  of  J.  L.  Mohler.  He  is  a  good  merchant,  and  has  hosts  of  friends  in  the  community. 

SAMUEL  W.  SKELTON,  Sheriff. 

Mr.  Skelton  is  a  native  of  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  where  he  was  born  in  1845.  He  located  at  Belle  Plain, 
Marshal  county  in  1860,  and  moved  to  Lacon  in  1878,  upon  the  occasion  of  his  election  to  the  office  of  sheriff  of 
Marshall  county  in  November  of  that  year,  a  position  he  now  occupies.  February  22,  1871,  he  married  Lizzie  II . 
Stevenson,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county.  Pa.  They  have  one  child,  Lena  Myrtle,  born  Sept.  11, 1874.  They 
are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Skelton  made  farming  the  business  of  his  life  prior  to  accepting  the 
responsible  position  he  now  occupies  in  the  service  of  the  county. 

WALTER  RICKEY. 

Mr.  Rickey  was  born  in  Lacon  in  1849,  and  comes  from  an  old  and  well  known  family  that  settled  here  many 
years  ago.  In  1871  he  married  \nna  Guade,  of  German  parentage,  born  in  Chicago,  He  was  born  a  farmer,  and 
followed  the  business  until  1878,  When  he  purchased  the  stock  and  stables  of  Mayer  &  Hall,  and  embarked  in  the 
livery  business.  He  keeps  a  very  good  stock  of  horses  and  carriages,  is  extremely  accommodating,  and  his  terms 
are  liberal. 

FREDERICK  GEUDE. 

Mr.  Gende  lives  on  section  2,  of  Lacon  township,  and  was  born  in  Prussia.  April  5. 1824.  He  lived  there  until 
twenty-eight  years  old,  and  then  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  this  county.  Previous  to  leaving 
he  married  Dora  Blum,  born  in  Prussia,  and  to  them  three  children  have  been  given— Herman.  Anna  and  Amil. 
Are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Geude  owns  126  acres,  entered  by  Jordan  Sawyer,  and  subsequently 
purchased  by  John  F.  Shepherd.  He  is  township  trustee,  and  has  served  at  such  five  years,  keeps  his  place  under 
first  class  cultivation,  and  is  a  model  farmer. 

JAMES  SEWARD. 

Mr.  Seward  is  a  farmer  residing  on  section  26.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  in  1818,  and  located  in 
this  county  in  1842.  In  1840  he  married  Emeline  Owen,  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  died  March  17, 1850,  leaving  two 
children.  James  A.  and  W.  Scott.  In  the  same  year  he  married  Maiy  Jones,  who  has  become  the  mother  of  five 
children,— Eliza  J..  (Young),  Mary  Belle,  Ella  A.,  Emma  (Hushaw),  Alice  C.  and  Charles  G.  Mr.  Seward  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  school  directors,  has  been  road  commissioner,  and  has  served  his  township  in  various  other  lo- 
cal offices.  He  owns  some  700  acres  of  land. 

THOMAS  M.  SHAW. 

Mr.  Shaw  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  at  that  time  a  part  of  Putnam,  in  1833,  and  was  a  son  of  George  H, 
Shaw,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county.  He  labored  on  a  farm  whena  boy,  attending  school  at  Jndson  college, 
Mt.  Palatine,  and  completed  his  education  at  Mt.  Morris.  He  read  law  with  W.  D.  Edwards,  a  talented  member  of 
the  Lacon  bar,  and  began  practice  in  Putnam  county  in  1858.  In  1862  he  was  offered  an  advantageous  partnership 
with  Mark  Bangs,  which  he  accepted,  and  has  since  made  Lacon  his  home.  In  1863  he  married  Nellie  F.  Hirsch,  of 


RECORDS    Ofr   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Woodford  county,  and  began  the  erection  of  the  fine  residence  he  now  occupies,  probably  not  excelled  by  any  in 
the  county.  Mr.  Shaw  takes  considerable  pride  in  his  profession  and  stands  at  its  head,  As  a  lawyer  he  is  paint* 
taking  and  methodical,  a  close  reasoner  and  good  logician,  appealing  to  men's  intellects  rather  than  their  feelings. 
His  large  success  attests  his  industry  and  perseverence.  His  practice  is  large  and  extends  to  all  the  neighboring 
districts  and  the  Supreme  court  (n  politics  he  is  Democratic,  and  in  1868  was  the  nominee  of  the  party  for  Con- 
gress. He  has  several  times  been  elected  mayor,  and  possesses  in  a  marked  degree  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow  citizens. 

BENJAMIN  BABB. 

Mr.  Bibb  was  born  in  Ferry  county,  Ohio,  Sept.  22, 1812.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  father  when  19 
years  old,  settling  three  miles  south  of  Laoon,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  The  family  consisted  of  his  father, 
mother  and  five  sisters,  and  they  were  four  weeks  and  four  days  on  the  road.  They  stopped  at  Col.  Strain's  until  a 
location  was  found  to  suit  and  a  cabin  built,  into  which  they  moved  and  spent  the  first  winter  The  bottoms  wete 
full  of  Indians  and  through  the  winter  they  annoyed  the  family  greatly.  Mr.  Babb  was  obliged  to  return  to  Ohio 
and  they  were  exposed  without  protection  to  insults  and  Che  constant  fe  ir  of  death  through  all  the  long  winter. 
Mr.  Babb  died  in  the  spring  of  1835.  and  he  was  buried  on  the  point  of  the  bluff  north  of  his  house.  His  son,  Ben- 
jamin, married  Nancy  Jones,  daughter  of  Levi  Jones,  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1857.  They  were  blessed 
with  five  children,  two  only  of  whom  survive,  Eliza  and  Eatella-  He  died  July  22,  1867,  leaving  his  family  and  the 
care  of  a  large  farm  to  his  wife.  Mrs.  1).  proved  a  good  manager,  adding  to  the  property  year  by  year,  and  giving 
her  daughter  a  good  education.  On  the  15th  of  Feb.,  1873,  she  married  a°*in  and  became  Mrs.  Sylvester  Myers. 
Her  home  is  one  of  the  pleasautest  in  the  county,  and  here,  surrounded  by  children  and  friends,  she  dispenses  a 
generous  hospitality  to  all. 

ABSALOM  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Chirk  county,  Ohio,  in  1835,  moved  to  Madison  county,  in  1844,  and  to  the  vicinity 
where  he  now  lives  in  1849.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  in  1854  wedded  Mary  Hedlock,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Hedlock  wno  along  with  Timothy  Owen  built  the  first  mill  on  Crow  Crreek.  Mr.  Jones  has  three  children  Albert, 
George  and  Samuel,  and  four  have  died.  He  owns  a  farm  of  220  acres  with  good  improvements  and  well  stocked. 
In  1878  was  candidate  for  the  the  legislature,  and  has  held  all  the  minor  offices  of  his  township. 

SAMUEL  GIBB. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  in  1813,  came  to  this  county  in  1830,  and  three 
years  later  married  a  Yankee  school  marm,  Miss  Mary  Hall,  of  Baskingridge.  N.  J.,  where  she  was  born  August  31, 
1812.  She  was  liberally  educated  at  home,  and  taught  school  several  terms,  refusing  several  eligible  offers  of  mar- 
riage before  Roe  came  west,  wishing  to  see  the  world  before  making  a  choice.  Soon  after  reaching  here  she  met 
Samuel  Gibb,  a  sturdy  young  mail  carrier  from  Knoxville  to  Hennepin.  It  was  a  case  of  love  at  first  sight.  He  was 
straight  as  an  arrow,  and  made  nothing  of  swimming  a  river,  if  necessary,  in  the  absence  of  bridges.  They  were 
married  in  1833,  and  began  housekeeping  at  once.  She  was  a  good  manager  and  he  was  industrious,  and  they  made 
money  lively.  They  own  a  pleasant  home  of  312  acres  of  hind,  and  four  sons  and  daughters— John  W.,  Henry  H., 
Sarah  E.  and  Mary  Catherine.  4 

OWEN  So  WARDS. 

Mr.  Sowards  was  born  in  Woodford  county  in  1830,  and  moved  into  Marshall  county  in  1864,  when  he  pur- 
chased a  fertile  farm  lying  on  the  bottoms  of  Crow  Creek.  In  1858  he  married  Hits  Edy  Hunter,  born  in  this 
county.  They  have  seven  children, Eliza  J.,Mary  A.,  William  H.,  Charles  15.,  Alice,  Kstella  and  Emma  Bell.  Mr.  8. 
is  a  good  farmer,  quiet,  industrious,  and  knows  how  to  make  money.  He  minds  his  own  business,  allows  others  to 
think  as  they  choose,  and  forms  his  own  opinions.  If  there  were  more  men  like  Owen  Sowards  the  world  would  be 
better. 

IRA  I.  FENN. 

Mr.  Fenn  was  born  in  Kent,  Litchfield  county,  Conn..  Aug.  22, 1799,  and  labored  on  a  farm  until  1818,  when, 
with  his  brother  Norman,  they  started  for  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  rca  i  law  and  was  admitted  to  practice.  He  re- 
mained here  in  the  active  prosecution  of  his  profession  until  1836,  when  he  journeyed  to  Illinois  and  made  exten- 
sive investments  that  caused  his  removal  and  permanent  settlement  in  Lacon.  Here  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
law,  and  carried  it  on  successfully  until  1855,  when  he  became  absorbed  in  railway  enterprises  and  gave  it  over  to 
others.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Eunice  Pometoy.who  died  tne  year  after  his  arrival  in  Lacon,  and  his  second 
wife  was  Fannie  E.  Dudley.to  whom  one  son  survives,Duiley  E.,born  Feb.  17, 1840.  Mr.  Fenn  died  January  3, 1873. 
He  was  a  leading  citizen  in  the  town  for  years,  and  his  influence  was  always  on  the  side  of  right.  In  church  and 
society  he  bore  a  prominent  part,  and  his  record  is  unsullied  by  a  single  blot  or  stain. 

JOSEPH  H.  JOHNSON. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1813,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Cincinnati  when  quite 
young,  where  he  remained  until  fifteen  years  old,  and  then  started  out  for  himself,  going  to  Montreal,  Canada, 
where  he  attended  school  and  found  employment  in  a  store.  He  became  part  owner  of  a  sailing  vessel  trading  to 
New  Foundland.  After  two  years  of  profitable  trading,  the  boat  got  caught  on  a  rock  and  was  wrecked,  and  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  695 

profits  were  swamped.  After  this  he  took  service  with  a  former  employer  until  his  father's  death,  when  he  returned 
home  and  settled  the  estate.  In  the  summer  of  1834  he  struck  out  west  and  came  to  Lacon,  and  along  with  Jesse  C. 
built  the  first  mill  in  Lacon,  rnnning  it  successfully  until  1842,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  into  loaning  money  and 
speculating  until  1849.  In  the  spring  of  that  year  a  company  of  sixty  men  was  organized  for  a  trip  to  California,  of 
which  he  was  chosen  ciptain.  Reached  the  mines  without  mishap,  but  lost  his  health  on  the  way,  and  was  for 
some  time  an  invalid.  Visited  all  the  diggings  and  prospected  more  or  less,  but  his  health  continuing  poor,  con- 
cluded to  go  to  Calcutta,  and  reached  the  Sandwich  Islands,  from  whence  he  went  to  Lima  in  South  America,  and 
re-embarked  on  an  old  condemned  hoik  from  New  York  bound  for  Panama.  The  voyage  was  long  and  tedious, 
bnt  tney  finally  reached  there,  and  no  steamer  going  north,  he  crossed  the  Isthmus  to  Navy  Bay,  and 
visited  the  Wrst  Indies,  returning  and  taking  a  steamer  np  the  coast,  reached  San  Francisco  again  after  a  six  months 
absence.  He  next  went  to  trading  in  the  mountains,  running  two  four-horse  teams,  and  made  money  rapidly. 
Followed  this  two  years  and  came  home.  Remained  one  year,  went  to  New  York  and  purchased  a  load  of  wagon 
stuff,  which  be  sent  round  the  horn,  to  San  Francisco.  Sold  a  part  for  $400  a  thousand,  and  worked  np 
the  remainder.  Got  $50  for  an  axle,  and  $25  for  stocking  a  plow.  Paid  $1,000  for  a  set  of  blacksmith's  tools,  and 
cleared  it  in  a  week.  Was  in  California  about  nine  Tears,  and  while  there  married  Miss  Sarah  Hopkins,  a  descend  - 
ant  of  Ethan  Allen.  They  have  one  child— Hattie  E.,  now  Mrs.  Taylor,  of  Streator.  He  owns  five  farms,  and  has 
considerable  other  property. 

CHARLES  S.  EDWARDS. 

Superintendent  of  schools  of  Marshall  county. 

G.  W.  SHIELDS. 

Mr.  Shields  is  a  grocer  doing  business  in  Lacon,  and  is  also  proprietor  of  the  City  hotel.  He  was  born  in 
Marion  county.  Ind.,  April  4,  1833,  and  with  his  parents  moved  to  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  when  12  years  of  age.  He 
was  educated  in  Cincinnati,  and  was  married  in  that  city,  January  6. 1867,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Pierson,  a  native  of 
that  county.  They  have  four  children— Angeline  J.,  Laura  E.,  W-tlter  V.  and  Gertrude  E.  In  the  spring  of  1857 
Mr  Shields  moved  to  Lacon,  and  for  16  years  followed  his  trade,  that  of  a  mason  and  plasterer,  a  very  large  propor- 
tion of  the  public  and  private  buildings  in  Marshall  county  bearing  witness  to  the  excellence  of  his  handicraft. 
In  1870  be  went  into  the  restaurant  business,  which  he  continued  until  1877,  when  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness, in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  November  10th,  1879,  he  assumed  charge  of  the  City  Hotel,  and  with  the  efficient 
aid  of  his  estimable  wife  and  daughters  has  made  it  a  model  house  of  entertainment,  very  popular  with  the  travel- 
ing public-  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  is  a  close  observer,  a  good  judge  of  human  nature,  a  safe  adviser, 
and  is  an  industrious,  energetic  and  successful  business  man. 

JESSE  B.  BANE. 

The  subject  of  thin  sketch  was  born  near  Wheeling,  Va,,  May  17,1812.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  raised 
five  stalwart  sons  who  grew  to  man's  estateland  twodaughters.  When  twenty  years  old  Jesse,  along  with  a  man 
named  Tucker,  journeyed  to  Illinois,  then  an  inviting  field  to  emigrants,  and  stopped  for  the  night  at  the  cabin  of 
John  Strawn  to  whom  they  engaged  to  labor  at  making  rails  at  25  cents  a  day  and  board.  Tucker  did  not  remain 
long,  but  Bane  doubtless  looked  into  the  future  and  beheld  there  a  fine  farm  with  growing  crops,  a  wife  and  sturdy 
sons  and  daughters  grow  in jt  up  round  his  hearthstone.  It  was  a  pleasant  picture,  and  though  the  wages  were  low 
and  the  labor  severe,  it  was  Jesse  toiling  for  Rachel  and  cheerily  he  worked  on .  In  good  time  the  farm,  the  'cabin 
the  sleek  looking  stock  came— and  Rachel  came  too.  Mr.  Same  was  an  expert  chopper  and  withal  a  carpenter,  and 
helped  build  most  of  the  old  houses  of  Lacou.  He  labored  through  the  summer,  and  in  the  winter  he  taught 
a  term  of  school  on  Crow  Creek  where  the  now  honorables  G.  L.  Fort  and  Geo.  C.  Barnes  were  pupils.  Mrs.  Coutlett 
( Sarah  Dever)  also  attended,  and  for  some  neglect  of  duty  was  punished,  something  which  she  has  probably  long 
since  forgotten.  In  1840  he  married  Rachel  Strawn.  daughter  of  John  Strawn ,  and  a  notable  wife  she  proved. 
There  were  born  to  them  in  course  of  time  four  sons  and  two  danghters,John  S., George  M.,  Jesse  B.  jr.,  Charles  C., 
Stella  (Mrs.  De  Pue),  and  Rachel  Augusta,  (deceased).  John  is  an  eloquent  minister  in  the  Cong'l  church,  George 
qualified  himself  for  the  law.  and  George  and  Jesse  are  farmers.  Mr.  B.  proved  himself  a  capital  farmer  and  good 
manager,  in  which  be  was  ably  assisted  by  his  wife,  he  opened  a  large  farm  and  added  others  to  it.  After  a  while 
he  moved  to  Lacon  and  built  a  fine  residence  which  burned  down  and  then  he  built  a  better  one.  Himself  and 
wife  are  now  ''well  stricken  in  years,"  but  their  old  age  is  tcheered  with  the  company  of  their  children  and  grand- 
children, and  the  reflection  that  in  the  conflict  of  life  they  have  performed  their  whole  duty. 

JAMES  D.  STUBBLES. 

Mr.  Stubbles  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1848,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Mount  Morris,  111.,  in 
1855.  His  father  was  a  well  known  clergyman  of  the  M .  E.  church,  and  in  his  varied  labors  visited  with  his  family 
many  parts  of  Illinois  and  Missouri,  tie  came  to  Henry  in  1869  and  established  himself  in  business,  marrying  in 
1877  Helena  F.  Hulben.  born  in  Henry.  They  have  one  child,  George  J.  Mr.  Stubbles  has  been  very  successful, 
building  up  a  profitable  and  very  pleasant  business.  He  always  carried  a  large  stock  and  enjoyed  a  good  trade.  In 
188)  he  removed  to  Lacon  and  established  him«elf  in  the  same  line  of  business,  in  which  he  reports  a  large  success. 
His  rooms  are  the  finest  in  the  city  and  he  enjoys  a  large  custom. 


\ 


696  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


HENRY  TOWNSHIP. 


JOHN  MORGAN. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  born  in  Shropshire,  England,  in  1830,  and  came  to  thin  county  in  1851,  locating  in  Henry,  and 
•stablished  the  botcher  business  which  he  has  conducted  successfully  for  nearly  thirty  years.  He  YV-IK  a  single  man 
at  that  time,  bnt  in  1864  married  Mary  Stevenson,  born  in  Northumberland.  England.  Two  children  have  been 
born  to  them— John  T.  and  Mary  J.  Are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  Mr,  Morgan  is  vice-president  of  the 
First  National  bank,  of  Henry.  His  son,  John  T..  is  passenger  clerk,  in  Chicago,  of  the  Anchor  Line  of  Atlantic 
steamships. 

M.  P.  DILLEY  &  Co.,   Grocers. 

Mr.  Dillev.  the  senior  member  of  this  firm,  was  born  in  Mercer  county.  Pa.,  in  1843,  and  came  to  Clay  county, 
Ind.,  in  1865,  to  Madison  county  in  1876,  and  to  Heury  in  1876.  Their  present  business  was  established  Oct.  1st,  1879. 
Mr.  Dilley  married  AraK.  Gwathney  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Ind.  Two  children  Mess  this  nnion 
— Walter  and  George,  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  and  the  firm  is  building  up  an  excellent  business.  They 
are  young,  ambitions  and  accomodating, 

D.  M.  MORRIS. 

Gapt.  Morris,  the  popular  commander  of  the  steamer  Grey  Eagle,  was  born  in  Delaware  in  1843,  and  came  to 
Missouri  in  1865,  settling  at  Hannibal.  He  first  engaged  in  steamboating  in  1866,  and  finding  the  business  both 
congenial  and  profitable  has  since  followed  it.  From  1870  to  1878  he  was  engaged  with  the  Eagle  Packet  Company 
and  built  up  the  trade  he  now  controls.  In  1878  himself  and  the  engineer  purchased  the  Eagle  and  have  since  run 
her  between  Henry  and  Peoria.  In  1873  he  married  Mary  A.  Earl  and  is  the  father  of  two  children,  of  which  he 
feels  deservedly  proud.  The  Eagle  ig  universally  popular  and  tew  railways  are  managed  with  more  regularity,  her 
arrivals  and  departures  seldom  varying  from  the  schedule. 

GEORGE  NICHOLSON. 

Mr.  Nicholson  was  born  in  Lower  Canada  in  1836,  and  when  one  year  old  his  father  emigrated  to  Will  county, 
111.,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  obtained  his  education.  His  first  labor  was  as  assistant  lock  terrier  on  the 
canal,  after  which  be  began  steamboating  and  followed  it  until  1870  when  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at 
Henry  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful.  In  1878  his  warehouse  was  burned  down  involving  heavy  loss, 
bnt  it  was  rebuilt  with  a  capacity  of  150.COO  bushels.  It  is  the  most  complete  warehouse  at  Henry  and  is  owned  by 
Nicholson,  Gilbert  &  Co.  In  1861  he  married  Susan  Lynch  and  five  children  have  been  given  them— Maggie  M., 
Emma  B.,  Beulah  B.,  Fannie  B.  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Nicholson  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Heury  and  a  valuable 
citizen. 

H.  W.  MATEER. 

Mr.  Mateerwas  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  in  1816,  where  he  lived  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  Henrv 
and  became  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Backer  &  Mateer.  This  continued  until  1860,  when  he  established  his  preeent 
business  in  the  place  he  still  occupies.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Elizabeth  8.  Becker,  of  Adams  county.  Pa.,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  seven  sons  and  daughters.three  cf  whom  are  deceased.  The  living  are  Alfred,  Mary,  Grace. 
Lucy  J.  and  Hattie  B.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  church  matters,  is  always  found  on  the  right  side  in  questions 
of  morals,  and  strives  to  do  his  duty  as  he  sees  it.  Few  men  are  more  respected  in  the  county  than  he. 

N.  W.  ORR. 

Mr.  Orr  came  to  Henry  in  1856,  and  began  clerking  for  J.  L,  and  J.  II.  Jones,  the  acquaintance  thus  gained 
proving  of  great  benefit  to  him.  He  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  in  1826.  was  married  in  1818  to  Lydia 
Ann  Simpson,  of  Troy,  Ohio,  and  have  six  children  living— James  W.,  in  California,  Lydia  A.  (Mrs.  Boyd),  Anna 
May.  Samuel  J.,  Minnie  and  Martha  L.  Mr.  Orr  began  the  grocery  business  in  1867,  and  has  been  very  successful 
He  owns  three  stores,  his  fine  residence  on  Carroll  street  is  surrounded  bv  shade  and  evergreen  trees,  evincing  both 
wealth  and  taste.  His  store  is  opposite  the  post  office,  and  joins  the  First  National  Bank. 

FRED.  S.  POTTER. 

Mr.  Potter  was  bom  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  in  1837,  and  three  years  later  came  to  Christian  county.  III.  He 
obtained  hie  education  at  Mount  Auburn  Seminary,  and  read  law  at  Henry,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1864.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  697 

at  once  took  up  its  practice,  and  has  steadily  pursued  it  ever  since,  wsth  a  constant  increase  of  business.  In  1874  he 
married  Sarah  Isabel  House,  born  in  Grand  De  Tour,  111.,  and  by  her  has  two  children— Gertrude  H.  and  Frederick 
Willis.  By  a  former  marriage  he  hag  three  children— Ellsworth  8.,  Carrie  L.  and  Ida  I.  Mr.  Potter  is  an  able  law- 
yer and  rapidly  "growing"  in  the  profession.  He  served  as  State's  Attorney  from  1872  to  1876,  making  a  capable, 
efficient  officer.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  stands  well  with  the  party.  lie  could  have  served  in  the  last 
General  Assembly  had  he  desired,  and  has  been  favorably  talked  of  for  congressman.  He  is  capable,  ambitions 
and  persevering. 

W.  W.  HEATH. 

Mr.  Heath  was  born  in  Moss  county,  Ohio,  in  1825,  aud  came  to  Henry  in  1849.  He  began  the  grocery  business 
here  in  1864,  and  built  up  a  healthy,  lucrative  trade,  which  he  continues  to  the  present  time.  He  was  married  in 
1851  to  Mary  J.  Puffer,  born  in  New  York,  and  they  have  three  children— Edgar  H.,  (married  to  Jennie  Bradley), 
Mary  Ella  and  Clara  L.  Mr.  Heath  has  been  actively  engaged  in  educational  matters,  and  served  as  city  treasurer, 
clerk,  etc.  He  carries  a  full  stock  of  groceries,  flour,  etc.,  and  has  a  nourishing  trade. 

JOHN  RILEY. 

Mr  Riley  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1834,  and  came  to  Henry  in  1856,  where  he  followed  the  .rade  of  con- 
tractor and  builder  until  1878,  when  he  purchased  the  Granite  Mills  property  and  fitted  them  up  for  business.  He 
married  in  1865  Miss  Mary  A.  Clisbee,  born  in  Marshall  county,  and  to  them  four  children  have  been  born— John, 
flattie  M.,  Ella  and  Lee.  Mrs.  K.  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  The  reputation  of  these  well  known 
mills  has  been  long  established,  and  they  need  no  commendation.  They  manufacture  all  grades,  and  supply  the 
local  merchants  besides,  shipping  large  quantities  to  Chicago.  They  are  also  large  manufacturers  of  corn  meal,  etc. 

ELY  ALBERTSON. 

Mr.  Albertson  is  a  carpenter  and  builder,  born  in  Rensselaer  count?,  New  York,  in  1817,  where  he  learned  his 
trade  and  lived  until  1841,  when  he  went  to  Texas,  and  thence  to  New  Orleans,  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis,  and  bring- 
ing up  at  Peoria  in  1843.  Here  be  remained  until  1852.  and  then  came  to  Henry.  In  1844  he  married  Sarah  J.  John- 
son, born  in  Indiana,  by  whom  he  has  eight  children— Elizabeth  S.,  E.  I!.,  a.  J.,  E.  F.,  Lois,  Nellie,  Adelbert  and 
Teady.  He  was  a  farmer  for  several  years,  but  has  followed  his  present  occupation  all  his  life. 

CHARLES  BALLEWEG,  JR. 

Mr.  Balleweg  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  1847,  and  came  to  the  United  States  nine  years  later,  stay- 
ing in  York  county.  Pa  ,  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Henry.  He  began  the  saloon  business  in  1873,  and  has 
followed  it  with  considerable  profit  to  himself  since.  In  that  year  he  married  Elizabeth  Flynn.  born  in  New 
York,  and  two  children  bless  their  nnion — Elizabeth  and  Annie.  He  is  proprietor  of  Warren's  Hall,  which  is 
fitted  up  for  dancing  parties,  concerts  and  theatrical  entertainments.  He  owns  his  place  of  business,  dwelling, 
and  considerable  other  property, 

C.  GOULD. 

Mr.  Gould  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  hardware.  He  was  born  in  Erie  county,  New  York,  in  1834,  and  when 
ten  years  old  came  to  McHenry  county,  111.,  with  his  parents,  whence  he  removed  to  Winnebago  in  1868,  and  came 
to  Henry  in  1867  and  established  his  present  business.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Crawford  in  1864,  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Three  children  have  been  born  to  them  -Henry,  Lewellen  C.  and  Mabel.  Mr.  Gould  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful in  business,  and  commands  a  large  trade.  His  credit  is  No.  1,  and  he  thoroughly  understands  the  demands 
of  the  market. 

J.  C.  LAW. 

Mr.  Law  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  in  1845,  and  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  at  Henry. 
He  married,  in  1872,  Lizzie  Orr  Swan,  born  in  Ohio,  to  whom  three  children  have  been  born—  James  A.,  Zilpha  and 
Rebecca.  In  1864  he  enlisted  under  the  call  for  one  hundred  day  men,  and  went  into  the  141st  regt.  111.  Vols.,  shoul- 
dering a  musket  and  serving  the  required  time.  He  has  been  city  treasurer  of  Henry,  and  filled  various  minor 
offices;  was  candidate  before  the  convention  of  1879  for  county  treasurer,  and  is  capable  of  filling  any  position. 

W.  T.  LAW. 

President  First  National  Bank,  Henry. 

H.  A.  PROCTOR. 

Mr.  Proctor  is  a  native  lllinoisan,  born  in  Perry  county,  in  1858,  and  came  to  Henry  in  1878,  establishing  the 
firm  of  Webber  &  Proctor.  It  was  dissolved  in  1879,  Mr.  Proctor  purchasing  his  partner's  interest  and  succeeding  to 
the  business.  He  has  a  nice  room  for  the  purpose,  keeps  a  fine  stock  of  goods,  and  does  an  excellent  business;  is 
pleasant  and  affable  to  customers,  and  his  place  is  popular  with  all. 

JOSEPH  H.  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  leading  citizen  of  the  county,  and  a  successful  merchant,  carrying  a  very  large  stock  of  goods 
and  having  a  heavy  trade.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ind.,  in  1832,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Canton, 


698  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME.11 

111.,  in  1834,  where  be  obtained  a  liberal  education,  fitting  him  for  future  duty.  His  father  having  been  elected 
sheriff,  the  family  removed  to  the  county-seat,  Lewiston,  whence  Mr.  Jo-ies  came  to  Henry,  serving  as  a  clerk  two 
years.  In  If63  he  began  business  for  himself,  and  has  followed  it  successfully  ever  since.  From  1861  to  1865  the 
firm  were  engaged  in  banking,  since  which  time  he  has  confined  himself  exclusively  to  trade.  In  1863  he  married 
Zahanna  Barney,  and  to  them  four  children  were  born— Ida  A.,  Cannah,  John  L.,  Julia  and  Norman.  Behind  the 
counter  Mr.  Jones  is  affable,  polite  and  thoroughly  master  of  his  business.  He  has  filled  many  prominent  positions 
in  the  city  and  county,  and  served  one  term  in  the  legislature  with  marked  ability  and  entire  satisfaction. 

LYMAN  HORRAM. 

Mr.  Horram  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  settlers  of  Putnam  or  Marshal  I  counties,  first  visiting  this  section  fifty- 
three  years  ago.  He  was  born  in  Orange  county.  Vermont,  in  1806,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Philadelphia  when 
two  years  old,  and  to  Trenton,  N.  J.,  three  years  latei.  In  1814  his  father  moved  to  Lawrenceburg,  Ind..  purchasing 
a  Hat-boat  and  floating  down  the  stream  to  their  destination.  When  16,  his  parents  moved  to  Hamilton  county, 
Ind.,  on  White  river,  and  again  to  Tippecanoe  county,  where  bis  father  laid  out  the  town  of  Dayton,  and  was 
one  of  the  three  first  settlers  in  the  county.  In  1827  he  started,  along  with  others,  for  the  newly  discovered  lead 
mines  near  Galens,  went  to  the  portage  of  the  Kankakee,  and  purchasing  canoes,  floated  down  that  stream  and 
the  Illinois  to  Ghillicotbe,  and  thence  journeyed  on  foot  over  "Kellogg's  trail"  to  their  destination.  He  staid 
one  year  and  returned,  visiting  the  mines  again  the  succeeding  year.  Ooing  back  to  Indiana,  he  married  Eleanor 
Baker  in  1828,  and  removed  to  Putnam  county,  six  miles  east  of  Henry,  where  he  opened  a  large  farm  and  was 
very  successful  up  to  the  time  he  retired  from  business,  about  fifteen  years  ago.  He  was  a  hard  worker,  and 
his  plans  were  made  with  judgment.  Both  himself  and  wife  were  industrious  and  prudent,  and  fortune  smiled 
upon  them;  he  has  a  competence  of  this  world's  goods,  and  in  his  old  age  can  sit  beneath  his  own  vine  and  fig 
tree  and  enjoy  the  legitimate  fruits  of  a  well  spent  life. 

BERNARD  YAEGER. 

Mr.  Yaeger  came  from  "sunny  France,"  having  been  born  in  Alsace  in  1832,  the  province  since  wrested  from 
her  grasp  by  Germany.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1863,  and  to  Henry  the  year  after.  In  1857  he  married 
Catharine  Schick,  born  in  Bavaria,  and  their  two  children  are  named  Henry  and  Ellen.  He  began  business  in  1856, 
erecting  in  person  the  substantial  brick  building  he  occupies.  His  residence  is  on  School  street,  and  himself  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  has  been  twice  elected  alderman,  and  is  a  man  of  influence  in  his 
ward  and  in  the  council.  He  is  agent  for  several  lines  of  steamers,  visited  the  Paris  Exposition  and  his  old  home 
in  1878,  traveling  extensively  in  Europe. 

T.  FRANK  McCoy. 

Mr.  McCoy,  the  leading  watchmaker  and  jeweler  of  Henry,  was  born  in  Lewiston.  Pa.,  in  1851.  He  was  early 
apprenticed  to  the  jewelry  business,  making  himself  thoroughly  master  of  the  trade,  after  which  he  came  to  Henry 
in  1875,  and  engaged  to  E.  II  Hutchins.  for  whom  he  worked  one  year,  and  then  began  business  for  himself.  On 
the  31st  of  December,  1878,  be  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  A-  M.  Pool,  and  to  them  one  child  has  been  born.  He 
carries  a  large  stock  of  jewelry  and  presentation  goods,  and  has  a  heavy  trade  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 

A.  B.  HALL. 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  in  Durbin  county,  Indiana,  in  1839,  came  to  Peoria  in  1855,  and  to  Henry  in  1860.  Married 
Mary  E.  Atkinson  in  that  year,  born  in  Indiana.  They  have  one  child  living-  Stanley,  and  three  deceased.  Has 
been  street  commissioner  three  years,  and  is  serving  as  city  marshal.  Is  a  member  in  good  standing  in  the  inde- 
pendent order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

ISRAEL  KOEHLER. 

Mr.  Koehler  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Pa.,  in  1830,  and  came  to  Henry  county.  111.,  in  1855,  and  to 
Henry  in  the  fall  of  18E8.  He  began  the  manufacture  of  carriages  in  1865,  and  has  continued  with  added  facilities 
from  year  to  year  until  the  present  time.  He  married  Augusta  C.  Smith  in  1853,  born  in  the  same  county  with  him- 
self, and  they  have  one  child—  Lewella  B.  The  capacity  of  his  works  has  been  about  150  carriages  nf  all  kinds  an- 
nually, but  he  is  now  greatly  increasing  this,  and  will  have  facilities  for  manufacturing,  placing  himself  on  a  par 
with  the  extensive  manufacturers  of  the  East.  His  work  is  pat  up  in  the  very  best  style  and  is  universally  appre- 
ciated. 

JOHN  W.  NIECE,  Druggist. 

Mr.  Niece  was  bom  in  Park  county,  Indiana,  1835,  and  moved  to  Terre  Haute  when  seven  years  old,  where  he 
served  seven  vears  apprenticeship  in  a  drag  store.  He  married  Miss  Amanda  Taylor  in  Laporte,  Ind..  and  moved 
there  in  1860.  He  entered  the  army  as  assistant  quartermaster  in  1864.  and  was  stationed  at  Paducah.  Tenn.,  which 
was  for  the  time  a  port  of  entry.  He  had  charge  of  the  quartermaster's  department  for  the  issuance  of  forage  and 
transportation  to  the  army  and  to  all  refugees.  All  steamboats  and  other  vessels,  whether  in  the  Government  ser- 
service  or  private,  were  obliged  to  stop  and  report  to  him  or  at  his  office.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  was  obliged  to  re- 
sign, which  he  did  in  July,  1865.  He  returned  to  Laporte,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  that  year,  when  he 
moved  to  Henry  and  accepted  a  position  in  M.  C.  Everett's  drug  store,  at  a  salary  of  t£0  per  month,  soon  increased 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  699 

to  $75,  In  1869  he  formed  a  copartnership  with  Dr.  Baker's  son,  as  Niece  &  Baker  in  the  establishment  of  Roberts 
&  Go.,  which  they  purchased.  In  1871  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  Baker,  and  in  June  of  that  year  went  into  business  for 
himself,  which  he  has  conducted  successfully  since.  He  has  one  son— Henry  J.,  born  in  1863,  a  clerk  in  his  store,  a 
promising  \  mini?  man  and  competent  druggist. 

DR.  WILLIAM  H.  JONES. 

Dr.  Jones  was  born  in  Canada  West  in  1837,  came  tu  the  United  States  when  a  child,  and  lived  in  Independ- 
ence, Ky..  He  studied  medicine  here  and  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati  in  1869.  He 
began  practice  in  Kentucky,  which  he  continued  until  1873,  and  then  removed  to  Henry  and  made  it  his  permanent 
home.  He  married  Ida  Haminger  in  January,  1879,  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  a  native  of  Covington,  Kentucky.  The 
Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  County  Medical  Society,  has  a  good  business,  is  popular  in  society,  and  is  looked  upon 
as  a  rising  man. 

M.    J.    SUTTON. 

Mr.  S"tton  is  a  blacksmith  of  Henry,  born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  in  1844,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1860,  beginning  business  for  himself  in  1867.  In  1866  he  married  Ellen  lv<  is,  born  in  Ireland,  and  they  have  six 
children— James,  Alice,  Willie,  Lawrence,  Katie  and  Ellen.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  the  three  months  service, 
and  continued  until  honorably  discharged.  Is  a  member  of  the  Henry  Fire  Department. 

WILLIAM  G.  SNYDER. 

Mr.  bnydor  was  born  in  Wnrtemburg,  Germany,  in  1850,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1866,  stopping  in  Balti- 
more and  Chicago  a  while,  and  reaching  Henry  in  186S.  Here  he  hired  to  John  Morgan,  for  whom  he  worked  five 
years,  and  then  set  up  for  himself  in  1874.  In  1x69  he  married  Sarah  Heim,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  came  here 
when  two  years  old.  They  have  three  children— Charles,  Howard  and  Lulu.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

A.  L.  HUPP. 

Mr.  Hupp  was  burn  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  and  came  to  Henry  in  July,  1879,  having 
lived  in  Wenona  since  1868.  He  married  Miss  Beatrice  Kinder  in  1873,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1852,  and  one  child, 
Ira  Lee,  is  the  result  of  this  marriage—  born  May  31, 1877.  He  has  a  first  class  saloon  and  billiard  hall,  where  gen- 
tlemen will  find  quiet  company  and  good  tables. 

GEORGE  BALL. 

Mr.  Ball  is  a  native  of  Alsace,  Germany,  where  he  was  born  in  1837,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853.  He 
first  settled  at  Buffalo,  and  next  in  Henry  in  1868.  He  tried  farming  one  year  and  went  into  the  saloon  business, 
purchasing  the  property  from  a  Mr.  Hoover,  and  greatly  improving  it.  He  married  Ann  Eliza  Rosley  in  1859,  and 
together  they  have  three  children— Diary  M.,  Joseph  J.  and  Henry.  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cath- 
olic church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  church  choir. 

RICHARD  H.  WATERFALL. 

Mr  Waterfall  is  a  naturalized  American  citizen,  born  in  Derbyshire,  England,  in  1813,  and  came  to  this  county 
in  1843,  having  resided  some  years  previous  in  Canada.  In  1859  he  opened  a  barber  and  hair  dressing  establishment, 
running  it  successfully.  Was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1874  and  again  in  1877,  In  1866  he  married  Mn.  Maria 
McAnhur  (Griffith),  He  had  tnree  children  by  a  former  marriage— Mary  A.  (Mrs.  Anderson),  Sarah,  (Mrs.  God- 
dard),  and  Charlotte.  Are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  senior  warden*  Is  agent  for  several 
leading  fire  insurance  companies  and  gives  it  bis  close  attention.  Previous  to  coming  to  this  country  he  served  in 
H.  M.  1st  Begiment  of  foot,  until  his  departure  for  the  United  States. 

DR.  SAMUEL  C.  SNYDER,_De?itaZ  Surgeon. 

Dr.  Snyder  was  born  in  Henry  in  1852,  where  he  recived  his  education.  He  read  law  in  Bloomington  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  Springfield  in  1874,  following  its  practice  nntil  failing  health  compelled  him  to  give  it  over, 
and  by  the  advice  of  a  physician  trok  up  the  study  of  dentistry,  graduating  at  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Dental 
Surgery,  and  has  followed  the  profession  ever  since.  In  1878  he  married  Blema  H  Griffin,  of  Scranton,  Pa.,  and 
they  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  The  Doctor  hat  elegantly  fitted  up  his  rooms  and  does  a  fine  business. 
He  also  visits  Lacon  weekly  where  he  has  secured  a  very  lurative  practice, 

DR.  T.  M.  MclNTosn,  Dentist. 

Dr. .Mclntosh  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  and  educated  in  Putnam.  He  studied  his  profession  in  Pontiac, 
and  began  the  practice  at  Magnolia  in  1874.  His  office  in  Henry  is  with  Dr.  Mutter,  and  he  visits  regularly  Mag- 
nolia and  Hennepin.  His  office  at  the  latter  place  is  with  D.  W.  Danley. 

J.  H.  HALL. 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  in  Kelso,  Scotland,  in  1821 ,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1833,  stopping  first  at  New  Or- 
leans, then  at  St.  Louis,  and  coming  to  Henry  in  1866.  He  first  opened  in  the  grocery  business  with  which  be  con- 
nected real  estate,  dealt  in  grain  etc.,  following  this  until  1867,  when  he  visited  Europe,  taking  in  the  French  ex- 


700  RECORDS   OP   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

position,  where  his  knowledge  of  various  languages  made  him  a  valuable  companion  to  Americans.  Returning  to 
the  United  Staten  he  married  Adaline  C.  Fisher  and  by  her  had  three  children— George  O.,  Mary  Josephine  and 
John  C.  Mrs.  Hall  died  in  1856,  and  he  married  Sarah  I.  Ham,  of  Saratoga  Springs.  To  her  were  born  four  chil- 
dren -  Jennie,  Florence,  Joseph  and  Uertrude.  After  his  return  from  Europe  he  went  into  the  carriage  business 
and  followed  it  several  years,  and  then  embarked  in  the  hardware  trade  under  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Hall  &  Son. 

H.  G.  GRAWBTTRG. 

Mr.  Orawbnrg  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  1825,  and  came  to  Henry  in  1856.  He  married  Lo- 
retta  C.  Snyder  in  1858,  and  in  1859  began  business  in  Henry.  Mrs.  O.  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  is  the 
mother  of  five  children— E.  Alva,  Miry  Henrietta,  Don  V.,  William  and  Beatrice  I.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  a  stockholder  in  the  Henry  bridge  company  and  weighmaster, 

OLIVER  TINKER. 

Mr.  Tinker  was  born  in  Manchester.  England,  in  1823,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  and  settled  at  Fall 
Kiver.  Mass.,  where  he  staid  uuf.il  1850,  wbec  be  returned  to  England.  In  1854  he  came  back  to  this  country  and 
worked,  in  Philadelphia  three  I'mrs,  and  came  to  Henry  in  1857.  In  1845  he  married  Elizabeth  Tomlinis.ni,  born  in 
the  same  place  with  himself.  They  have  one  child.  May  Hannah,  (Mrs.  Gates),  and  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church. 

CICERO  M.  FERGUSON. 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  in  1823.  moved  to  Richland  county  with  his  parents  when 
a  boy,  and  to  Illinois  in  1844.  Went  to  IVoria  in  1848  and  to  Henry  in  1852.  In  1846  he  married  Susan  Hull,  born 
in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.  He  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Henry  bridge  for  four  years,  and  was  street  super- 
intendent four  years.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Bridge  Company,  owns  a  good  farm  in  Henry  township,  and  a  coal 
bank  in  Whitefield. 

DR.  CHARLES  M,  BAKER. 

Dr.  Baker  was  born  in  Lexington.  Ky..  in  1822 ,  where  he  received  his  education  and  graduated  at  the  fine 
Medical  College  of  that  place  in  1843,  The  same  year  he  removed  to  Washington,  111.,  and  opened  an  office,  subse- 
quently removing  to  Bloomington,  and  to  Henry  in  1849,  whore  he  succeeded  in  building  np  a  large  practice.  Is  a 
member  of  the  State  Medical  society,  and  on  friendly  terms  with  all  members  of  the  Allopathic  school  of  medi- 
cine. He  was  twice  elected  mayor,  and  is  held  in  much  esteem  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

DR.  GEORGE  HOTTER,  Dental  Surgeo%. 

...  Or,  Motter  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  in  1829  where  he  was  educated  and  studied  his  profession.  He  be- 
gan practice  in  1853  and  removed  to  Henry  in  1856.  where  he  speedily  built  up  a  large  and  profitable  business.  He 
married  Martha  W,  Dunlap,  born  in  the  same  county  with  himself ,  and  where  she  attended  school  with  the  lady  who 
is  now  Mis,  President  Hayes,  the  school  being  taught  by  Senator  Thomas1  Has  five  children— M.  Gertrude,  Edgar 
H.,  George  A..  Stella  and  Charles.  Dr.  M.  has  an  oxter sivo  practice,  his  business  extending  to  Lacon  and  Hen- 
nepin. 

S.  T.  KSYZKI. 

Mr.  Ksyzkiwas  born  in  Prussia,  in  1826,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855.  He  located  in  Henry  in  1860. 
and  worked  at  his  trade  until  ft64,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  14th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  captured  near  Dalton.  Ga,.  Dec.  5, 1864,  and  held  a  prisoner  three  months  until  paroled  at  Wilmington,  N . 
C.  The  war  over,  he  returned  to  Henry  and  resumed  his  trade.  In  1850  he  married  Magdalina  Mncholowaz,  also  a 
native  of  Prussia.  Their  children  are  Nelia  and  Albana.  Mr.  K.  is  a  first-class  workman,  and  his  wagons  have  a 
reputation  for  strength  and  durability  not  excelled  by  any.  He  has  a  capacity  for  turning  out  fifty  wagons  annu- 
ally, and  does  all  kinds  of  jobbing  and  repairs. 

CHARLES  R.  JONES. 

Mr.  Junes  is  of  Welsh  descent,  and  a  son  of  Edwin  Jones,  for  many  yean  a  well  known  citizen  of  Lacon.  On 
his  mother's  side  he  is  descended  from  the  Davises,  the  well  knowd  Bankers  and  capitalists  Robert  and  Thomas  be- 
ing relatives.  He  was  given  a  first-class  education,  and  earl.v  obtained  a  position  in  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Henry,  of  which  he  is  now  cashier.  Adopting  the  language  of  Richelieu,  it  may  be  said  "to  such  as  he  there  in  no 
such  word  as  fail." 

JAMES  F.  GATES. 

Mr.  Gates  was  born  in  Peoria,  111.,  in  1848,  of  good  old  Yankee  stock,  his  parents  coming  from  Worcester, 
Mass.,  in  1823.  His  mother  survives,  living  at  Dnnlap  station,  and  is  75  years  old.  When  ten  years  old  he  went  into 
a  store  in  Peoria,  serving  several  years  as  acleik  in  different  concerns.  At  twenty  he  enlisted  and  served  his  time 
in  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion,  and  then  took  a  course  of  study  in  Cole's  business  college.  He 
clerked  a  year  at  the  Peoria  House,  then  went  to  Quincy  and  assumed  charge  of  a  hotel,  which  he  ran  for  a  year, 
went  to  Dunlap  and  bought  a  store,  which  he  run  for  two  year?,  and  then  came  to  Henry  and  entered  into  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  701 

grocery  and  provision  trade.  He  does  a  thriving  business  and  keeps  a  large  stock,  Tn  1870  he  married  Erne  R. 
Fordner,  born  in  Cincinnati,  and  to  them  three  children  have  been  born— Mabel  Inez,  Jesse  Freeman  and  Perrie 
Furdner.  He  has  a  large  trade  which  he  personally  oversees,  and  is  making  money. 

E.  E.  HILLS. 

Mr.  I  tills  was  born  in  Waterloo,  Seneca  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1825.  lie  came  to  St.  Charles,  Eane  county,  in 
1855,  and  to  Henry  in  1866,  where  he  set  np  up  in  the  grocery  and  provision  trade,  which  he  has  since  followed.  In 
1849  he  married  Elizabeth  F.  Owens,  born  in  Geneva,  Ontario  county.  N.  Y.  He  keeps  all  desirable  goods  in  his 
line,  is  a  heavy  shipper  of  poultry  and  produce,  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  fair  dealer  with  whom  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  transact  business, 

H.  L.  HUTCHINS. 

Mr.  I lulch ins  was  born  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  in  1806,  and  removed  to  Cazenovia,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1830, 
and  to  Henry  in  1854,  since  which  time,  np  to  1876,  he  has  been  in  active  life,  principally  in  the  wool  commission 
business.  In  1 831  he  married  Lncietia  Camp,  born  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  and  by  her  has  four  living  children- 
Mary  L.  (Mrs.  Bishop),  Cornelia  (Mrs.  Hull,  and  a  widow),  E.  H.,  a  meichant  of  Henry,  and  A.  V.,  a  merchant  of 
Juliet  doing  a  large  business.  Mr.  flutchins  is  deservedly  proud  of  his  family,  as  well  he  may  be. 

AUGUST  C.  WEIS. 

Mr.  Weis  is  a  well  known  business  man  of  Henry,  carrying  on  the  grocery  and  provision  trade  and  doing  a  large 
business  in  the  sale  of  musical  instruments  and  musical  goods.  He  was  born  here  in  1839.  and  is  a  son  of  Valentine 
Weiss,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  township.  In  1866  he  married  Mary  Traendly,  born  in  the  township,  and  to 
them  have  been  born,  Kate,  George,  Kn.ma  end  Frank.  He  began  business  here  in  1870  and  has  followed  it  since. 
He  is  a  finished  musician  and  eminent  composer,  having  written  some  very  fine  waltzes,  marches, etc. 

ALBERT  M.  POOL. 

Mr.  Pool  is  an  old  citizen  and  for  many  years  a  leading  merchant  of  Henry.  He  was  born  in  Morgan  county, 
Ohio,  in  1827,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Lebanon,  O.,  in  1831,  thence  to  Bedford,  Ind.,  in  1833,  to  Putnam  county, 
111.,  in  1837,  and  to  Henry  in  1849,  where  he  entered  into  the  dry  goods  business,  in  which  he  continued  until  1877. 
when  he  sold  out  to  J.  H.  Jones.  He  embarked  in  the  lumber  trade  here  in  1878.  In  1853  he  married  Julia  M.  Ram- 
say, born  in  Fort  Covington,  N.  Y.,  and  to  them  were  born  four  children— May  C.,  Minnie  A.,  Jennie  F.,  L.  Minerva. 
Mrs.  Pool  died  in  1863,  and  in  1865  he  married  Ellen  Gardner,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  whom  one  child,  Bruce  Koberts, 
was  given.  She  died  in  1878.  Mr.  Pool  has  been  a  leading  and  influential  member  in  church  and  society  for  many 
years,  filling  various  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  is  a  pleasant  talker  and  close  reasoner,  and  his  in- 
fluence is  always  on  the  side  of  truth  and  justice.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Sabbath  school  and  temperance 
movements,  and  enjoys  the  respect  of  all. 

SAMUEL  D.  BAXENDALE. 

Mr.  Baxendale  was  born  in  Alton,  111.,  in  1846,  and  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1848,  where  he  learned  the 
business  of  a  barber  and  hairdresser.  In  1868  he  began  business  for  himself,  and  in  1869  married  Saiah  E.  McCor- 
mick,  born  in  Magnolia.  They  have  five  children— Alfred,  Nellie,  Ida,  Beulah  and  Samuel.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in 
•Co.  B,  104th  111.  Vol.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  Sherman's  great  march  through  Georgia  and 
at  Milk  Creek,  N.  C.  Although  but  seventeen  ysars  old,  he  made  a  good  soldier.  His  rooms  in  Henry  are  fitted  up 
in  good  taste,  and  his  establishment  is  popular. 

LUTHER  A.  JONES. 

Mr,  Jones  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1811,  and  removed  to  Cass  county.  111.,  in  1836,  where  he  remained 
with  the  exception  of  a  year  in  Iowa,  until  1871,  when  he  came  to  Henrv.  In  that  year  he  married  Mrs.  Eleanor 
Calef,  formerly  White,  the  mother  of  four  children  by  a  former  marriage.  Their  names  were  Louis,  Sarah,  (Mrs. 
Weaver),  and  Emma.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  an  active  worker  in  the  temperance  reform  move- 
ment. 

G.  W.  EMERICK. 

Mr.  Emerick  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  in  1823,  and  located  in  Henry  in  1853.  Up  to  September, 
1879,  he  was  farming  on  an  extensive  scale  and  was  very  successful,  owning  five  farms  which  he  rents  out.  He  is 
now  in  the  grocery  and  provision  trade,  and  does  a  very  extensive  business.  In  1849  he  married  Miss  C.  Brown,  who 
died  in  1877,  leaving  three  children —Minerva  A.,  Emanuel  B.  and  William  G.  In  1879  he  was  married  again  to 
Miss  Emma  Morrison.  Mr.  Emerick  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  public  concerns,  is  a  man  of  ability  and  influence, 
and  a  good  citizen. 

KEN.  McNEAL. 

Mr.  McNeal  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Ohio,  in  1840,  and  came  to  Peoria  in  1841,  and  to  Henry  in  1852,  when 
he  learned  the  blacksmithing  trade  and  wagon  making.  Has  been  in  business  for  himself  since  1867.  in  1865  he 
married  AnnaTremain.  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  by  whom  he.nas  three  childre— Millie  Muy,  Fannie  F.  and 
Irene.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  of  the  86th  Beg.,  and  served  three  years,  making  an  excellent  record,  and  con- 


702  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

tributing  bis  whole  share  towards  putting  dowc  the  slaveholder's  rebellion.  He  fought  in  all  of.  Sherman's  great 
battles  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  was  master  mechanic  of  McCook's  Brigade,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  returned 
to  Henry.  He  is  active  and  pushing,  and  would  succeed  where  many  others  would  fail.  He  has  sold  more  fine  car- 
riages than  any  other  man  in  Marshall  county,  and  possesses  facilities  for  manufacturing  equalled  by  few.  la  187J 
he  was  burned  out.  losing  heavily,  but  went  to  work  and  soon  made  it  up. 

JOHN  SCHURR. 

Mr.  Schurr  was  born  in  Germany  in  1821,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  and  settled  in  henry.  His 
wife  likewise  came  rrom  Germany,  and  they  have  four  children— John,  Otto,  Edward  and  Lena,  He  established 
business  here  in  1873,  as  a  gunsmith  and  raa*er  and  repairer  of  firearms,  and  dealer  in  guns  and  gun  materials.  He 
is  a  finished  mechanic,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  customers. 

0.  E.  ABBOTT. 

Mr.  Abbott  was  born  in  the  .state  of  Maine  in  1844,  moved  to  Albany.  New  York  in  1859,  where  he  studied  his 
profession  with  his  brother,  J  H.  Abbott,  the  noted  and  leading  photographer  in  the  city,  and  later  of  Chicago, 
where  he  had  a  large  establishment  at  the  curuer  of  Washington  and  State.  Mr.  Abbott  came  to  Henry  in  1877,  and 
at  once  secured  a  very  fine  business.  In  1866  he  wedded  Louisa  Reid,  born  in  Boonville,  New  Vork.  He  has  instrn- 
uieii  ts  for  all  sorts  of  views,  and  is  an  accomplished  artist,  as  his  work  testifies. 

HuLDAH    HOYT. 

Mrs.  Hoyt  is  widow  of  the  late  Cbanncy  B.  Hoyt,  and  was  born  in  New  C'aanan.  Conn.,  in  1806.  She  was  mar- 
ried in  1826,  and  her  husband  died  December  13, 1860  Her  only  living  child  is  Emily  M.  Two  sons.  Samuel  and 
John  Benedict  died  in  Connecticut,  and  a  daughter  died  in  1863.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church, 
an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  morality  and  religion. 

CAPI.  THOMAS  O'HARA. 

Mr.  O'Hara  was  born  in  Brownsville,  New  York,  in  1837.  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1856  and  went  to  steamboating, 
which  he  followed  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  cavalry  service  and  was  commissioned  captain  of  Co.  L,  llth 
111.,  Vol.  He  served  until  1865,  participating  in  all  of  the  engagements  in  which  his  regiment  fought.  The  llth 
was  one  of  the  best  in  the  service,  and  many  of  the  brave  men  who  enlisted  sleep  on  Southern  battle  fields.  Capt. 
O'Hara  was  mustered  out  at  Memphis,  returned  to  Peoria  and  thence  to  Henry  in  1873 ,  In  1865  he  married  Nancy 
.Smith,  of  Peoria.  In  1874  he  brought  the  Gray  Eagle  to  Peoria,  and  hat  been  connected  with  her  as  captain  or 
pilot  most  of  the  time  since.  He  knows  his  duty  and  performs  it  well,  whether  on  the  steamer's  deck  or  "  in  the 
battle's  van." 

C.  G.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  1836,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1853,  locating  on  a  farm  in 
Whitefield,  and  went  to  farming.  He  followed  this  until  1865,  wheu  he  removed  to  Henry  and  became  connected 
with  the  grain  business,  to  which  he  added  Hour,  feed  and  produce.  In  1862  he  married  Phebe  E.  Barnes,  born  in 
Bradford  county.  Pa.  Ihey  have  four  children— Thomas  8.,  Charles  E.,  Emma  M.  and  David  M.  He  visited  the 
liocky  Mountains  in  1859,  at  the  time  of  the  Pike's  Peak  excitement,  remaining  there  two.years. 

HOLMES  MORRISON. 

Mr,  Morrison  is  a  farmer  living  in  Henry  township,  and  was  born  in  Ohio  county.  West  Virginia,  in  1844.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1856,  and  became  a  farmer.  In  1869  he  married  Minerva  Emerick.  who  was  born  in  Virginia, 
and  to  them  one  child  has  been  born — Mary  D.  He  has  been  farming  in  Henry  township  for  sixteen  years. 

ABNER  CAMP,  Propr   City  Hotel. 

Mr.  Camp  was  born  in  Madison  county,  New  York,  in  1813.  and  came  to  Potter  county.  Pa.,  in  1837.  In  1842 
he  removad  to  Stark  county,  and  in  1845  came  to  Marshall.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpenter.  Ir.  1848  he  married  Eliza 
A.  Ham,  bom  in  Dover.  Mass.,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children— Isabella  and  Charles  A.  Has  been  in  the  hotel 
business  since  1865.  He  keeps  a  first  class  bouse,  which  is  popular  with  the  traveling  public,  and  runs  a  carriage 
to  the  depot  and  steamboata.  Mr.  Camp  is  an  old  citizen,  and  greatly  respected  by  all. 

MARY  TROENDLY. 

Mrs.  Troendly  was  born  in  Germany  in  1831  and  come  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents  when  seven  years 
old.  They  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1841,  and  she  married  Frederick  F.  Troendly  the  same  year.  He  died  Dec. 
10th  1878,  leaving  to  her  care  six  children— Charles  (deceased),  Mary,  Kate,  Margaret,  George  and  Frank.  Are  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Catholic  church.  Have  recently  purchased  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres. 

REV.  THOMAS  QUIGLEY,  Pastor  of  tie  Catholic  Church. 

Father  Quigley  was  born  in  County  Tipperary,  Ireland,  May  22,  1826.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
June,  1846,  and  located  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  8,  C.,  where  he  studied  theologv  and  was  ordained  by  Bishop  Uey- 
nolds,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  remained  at  his  uost  in  Charleston  during  the  wild  excitement  of  the  rebellion, 
attending  to  the  duties  of  bis  Master  and  avoiding  all  political  discussions.  His  mission  was  peace,  and  to  preach 


BIOC4RAPHICAL    DEPARTMENT.  703 

prace  and  good  will  among  men,  recognizing  all,  whether  North  or  South,  the  children  of  the  Great  Father  of  all. 
When  asked  by  a  Union  soldier  who  became  a  prisoner,  if  it  would  be  right  to  join  the  Confederate  army,  he  re- 
plied; "  Render  to  Ceasar  what  is  Of  asarV.  If  you  swear  allegiance  to  the  flag  of  your  choice,  it  is  your  spiritual 
duty  to  adhere  to  your  oath."  He  was  afterward  stationed  at  Pontiac  in  this  State,  then  in  charge  of  the  church  of 
the  Holy  Name  in  Chicago,  and  later  at  Danville,  and  in  Henry  since  1876.  He  was  in  Rome  at  the  opening  of  the 
great  council  in  1889,  when  the  dogma  of  the  infalibility  of  the  Pope,  as  the  spiritual  head  of  the  church  on  earth, 
was  proclaimed .  He  visited  all  the  most  interesting  points  of  Europe,  spending  some  two  years  on  the  trip.  He  is 
liberal  and  generous  in  his  associations  with  his  fellow  man,  and  a  favorite  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

DANIEL  WANN. 

Mr.  Wann  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  1801,  and  lived  there  until  his  removal  to  Kendall  connty.  111., 
in  1849.  Came  to  Henry  in  1864.  In  1831  he  married  Mary  Krines,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1810,  and  five  living 
children  are  spared  them,  while  three  are  deceased.  The  first  are  George,  Sarah,  (Mrs.  Vreeland),  Henry  C.,  Wil- 
liam. Oscar  and  Hnldah  A.  Curtis  L..  killed  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  was  a  member  of  company  K,  20th  Illinois 
Volunteers,  and  was  killed  within  a  few  days  after  enlistment.  His  life  was  sacrificed  to  save  his  country.  Are 
members  of  the  M.  E  church,  of  Henry. 

Loins  A.  MEIER. 

Mr.  Meier  was  born  in  Brunswick,  Germany,  in  1834,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  ;1859,  settling  (at  Anna- 
wan,  and  ir>ing  from  thence  to  Chillicothp  in  1866.  In  1862  he  went  into  the  army,  joining  company  A,  112th  111. 
Volunteers,  and  serving  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  at  the  seige  of  Knoxville,  was  one  of  the  veterans  that  helped 
whip  Hood  at  Pulaski.  and  after  various  battles  and  marches  was  mustered  out  in  June,  1865,  and  went  into  busi- 
ness in  Chillicothe.  He  came  to  Henry  in  1878 .  His  wife  was  formerly  Louisa  Schulpins,  born  in  Wolfenbuttel, 
Germany,  and  their  two  children  are  William  and  Gustav. 

COL.  C.  A.  STONE,  (deceased). 

Col;  Stone  was  born  in  Lamoile  county' Vermont,  in  1809,  and  fifty  years  later  located  in  Geneseo,  and  in 
Henry  three  years  later,  where  he  engaged  in  |the  grain  business  and  became  station  agent  for  the  C.,  R.  F.  &  P.  H. 
R  .  which  position  he  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  for  18  years.  He  built  a  warehouse  on  the  river  in  1873  with  a 
capacity  of  100,000  bushels.  In  1832  he  married  Sylvia  Stafford  in  Vermont,  who  died  Sept.  20th,  1879,  leaving  three 
dauabters-Freelove  H.,  Betty  S.  and  Helen  R.  Freelove  married  James  D.  Culton  in  1862.  and  has  one  chi'd,  Syl- 
via May.  born  in  1862  He  WPS  an  active  business  man  with  a  mind  that  readily  grasped  details,  and  capable  of 
carrying  through  large  enterprises,  was  well  thought  of  and  his  loss  is  deeply  regretted. 

VALENTINE  HATZENBAHLER. 

The  gentleman  here  named  is  a  farmer,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1826,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1848.  He  staid  in  New  York  city  one  year  and  came  to  this  county  in  1859.  Married  Maria  Hawk  in  1848,  born  in 
Germany.  Their  children  are  Eliza,  Mary,  Kate,  George,  Conrad,  Anton,  Peter  and  John.  He  rents  and  cultivates 
320  acres  of  land:  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  They  are  hard  workers  and  of  the 
class  of  steady,  industrious  Germans  who  add  to  the  wealth  of  the  county  year  by  year.  Such  emigrants  are 
always  welcome. 

EDWARD  SIMPSON. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  a  retired  farmer,  who  having  amassed  a  sufficiency  of  worldly  goods  to  comfortably  support 
him,  has  come  here  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  days,  He  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  in  1799,  moved 
to  Wayne  county,  Ohio  in  1817,  to  Perry  county  in  1823,  to  Cincinnati  in  1825  and  to|Putnam  county  in  1842.  He  was 
by  trade  a  carpenter,  but  after  coming  to  Illinois  engaged  in  farming  in  Magnolia  where  he  still  owns  175  acres,  He 
married  Miss  H.  M.  Ward  in  1828,  who  bore  him  six  children— Sarah,  Roddie,  Eliza.  Louis  E.,  Drusilla  M.  and  Flor- 
ence S.  Himself  and  family  are  active  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  to  which  he  has  belonged  since  1821.  He  has 
filled  all  the  offices  connected  with  it  aud  contributed  liberally  toward  its  support. 

JOHN  W.  MILLER. 

Mr.  Miller  is  a  railroad  engineer,  born  in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  in  1828,  and  learned  his  trade  there.  He  came 
west  in  1856,  locating  at  La  Salle,  where  he  became  connected  with  the  C.,  R.  I.&  P.  R.  R.  and  accepted  a  position 
in  their  employ.  He  married  Hannah  W.  D;ivis  in  1853,  born  in  F^Il  River.  They  have  had  six  children,  Ida,  Isaac. 
George,  (killed  on  the  railroad),  Minnie,  Carrie,  Asa  and  Frank.  His  f-imily  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  brotherhood  of  Canada  and  the  United  States.  Has  been  on  the  C.,  K.  I.  &  P.  R.  R. 
24  years.  He  worked  also  on  the  Cape  Cod  R.  K. 

J.     C.    TOWNSEND. 

Captain  Towr.send  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York,  in  1816,  moved  to  1'coria  county  in  1851,  and  to 
Marshall  in  1856,  and  engaged  in  farming.  His  home  was  in  Saratoga,  and  having  secured  a  competency  he  removed 
to  town  in  1870.  for  its  better  enjoyment  and  to  educate  his  children.  He  married  Betsey  S.  Miuell  in  1839,  and  has 
four  children— George  F.,  James  S,,  Amanda  and  Cornelia  E.  He  organized  Co.  D,  47th  111.  Vol.,  in  1861,  was 
elected  captain  and  served  in  the  department  of  the  Mississippi .  Was  at  Island  No.  10,  first  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka  and  elsewhere.  In  organizing  the  company  he  WHS  assisted  by  his  son  George,  who  succeeded 


704  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

him  in  the  command  and  proved  a  capable  and  popular  officer,  serving  out  his  full  term.  Captain  Townsend's 
health  becoming  impaired  by  hard  service,  he  re_signed  and  came  home.  Was  elected  mayor  of  Henry  and  served 
three  terms.  Is  a  Democrat,  and  very  popular  with  his  party,  who  have  urged  his  acceptance  of  important  posi- 
tions without  success. 

FRANK  BAER. 

Mr.  Baer  was  born  at  Chicago  in  1862,  came  W  Henry  in  1875  and  established  a  saloon  and  billiard  room.  He 
keeps  first-class  rooms.furnished  in  good  sty  le,imnfe<:l  lately  adjoining  the  Paskell  house  with  good  tables,uigars  and 
the  finest  of  domestic  and  imported  liquors.  It  is  the  only  American  house  in  the  city. 

HIRAM  C.  WRIGHT. 

Mr.  Wright  was  born  in  Toronto,  Cana  1a,  in  1819  and  moved  to  Indiana  with  his  paraats  in  1826.  came  to 
Peoria  county  in  1828  and  to  Putnam  in  1844  lived  eight  years  in  Bureau  county,  returned  to  Putnam  county 
and  staid  two  vears  and  came  to  Henry  in  1857.  He  staid  here  six  years  and  then  went  on  to  his  farm  and  remained 
nntil  1869,  when  he  came  again  to  Henry  to  spend  his  days.  He  married  Sophia  C.  Hunter  in  1847  and  they  have  one 
child,  Clarissa,  born  in  October,  1848,  and  one  deceased.  In  e%rly  life  Mr.  Wright  was  engaged  in  lead  mining  for 
eight  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Mineral  Point,  Wie.  He  served  three  terms  as  mayor  of  Henry,  was  several  times 
elected  alderman,  and  has  held  other  official  positions, 

FREDERICK  E.  WAGNER. 

Mr.  Wagner  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  in  1852,  where  he  learned  tne  trade  of  a  marble  cutter.  He  came 
to  this  country  in  1871.  spent  four  years  in  traveling,  and  located  in  Henry  in  1876.  when  he  established  his  present 
business.  He  was  married  in  1874  to  Elizabeth  Gagel,  born  in  Ohio,  and  three  children  have  been  given  to  them  - 
Mollie,  Appolona  and  Anna.  He  has  made  some  very  fine  monuments,  is  capable  of  turning  out  the  very  best  work 
at  low  prices,  and  will  be  happy  to  show  specimens  to  all  wishing  to  see  them. 

SHERWOOD  S.  MERRITT. 

Mi.  Merritt  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  30.  wl  o  was  boin  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  1838.  He  located  in 
Henry  in  1852,  where  be  married  Miss  8.  Kimber.  in  1863.  She  was  born  in  Putnam  county.  They  have  five  children, 
—Charles  E.,  Cora  E.,  Roger  8..  William  M.  and  Matilda  J.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  owns  159 
acres  in  Henry  and  40  in  Whitefield  township. 

HENRY  J.  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  New  York  city,  Nov.  16, 1824,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1836,  where  he  lived  with 
his  grandparents.  He  came  to  Henry  in  1849,  having  two  years  previously  married  Robey  A.  White,  a  widow,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Bobey  A.  Tabor.  She  was  born  in  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  in  1818.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  with 
good  improvements,  and  has  three  children,— Ames  A.,  Edward  B.  and  Emma  J. 

JOHN  BICKERMAN. 

Mr.  Bickerman  was  born  in  Kentucky,  near  Louisville,  in  1848.  He  belongs  to  an  energetic,  pushing  family, 
well  known  in  Marshall  county,  and  came  here  with  his  parents  in  1850.  He  married  Maggie  Marks  in  1879,  who  was 
born  in  Indiana.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  a  son  of  A.  Bickerman. 

DANIEL  N.  BLOOD,  JR. 

Mr.  Blood  is  a  farmer  livine  on  section  4.  He  was  horn  in  Henry  township  January  3, 1855,  and  on  the  16th  of 
February,  1876.  married  Minerva  Reader,  a  native  of  Mockport  Ind.  They  have  one  child,  Minerva,  born  January 
22, 1877.  Mr.  Blood  owns  and  cultivates  280  acrts  of  lard.  He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  N.  and  Salome  Blood,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  the  celebrated  Col.  Blood  who  contested  with  George  IV.  for  the  crown  of  England. 

MRS.  M.  A.  HAFLEY  (iridow). 

Mrs'  Hafley  is  now  a  resident  of  San  Francisco,  California.  She  was  born  in  Canada,  and  was  married  when 
only  14  years  of  age.  Her  husband  died  leaving  her  a  widow  at  the  age  of  15.  She  came  to  the  United  States  with 
her  child  and  lived  with  her  uncle  in  Plattsburg.  N.  Y.,  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Sacramento,  Cal.,  and  opened  a 
private  boarding  house,  which  she  kept  until  burned  out,  in  1852.  She  then  ran  the  City  Hotel,  on  the  same  street, 
nntil  the  flood  of  1852,  by  which  she  lost  $20.000  worth  of  furniture  and  her  well  established  business.  After  this 
calamity  she  moved  to  Grass  Valley,  where  she  kept  a  restaurant,  and  in  two  years  made  f  20,000.  In  1855  she  went 
to  Iowa  Hill,  in  the  mining  district,  where  she  was  again  an  unfortunate  sufferer  by  the  elements  of  destruction, 
losing  some  $25,000  by  a  fire  which  destroyed  the  town.  She  then  moved  to  Orrville,  where  she  was  married  to  Mr. 
David  Hafley,  a  merchant,  in  1857.  They  went  to  Sa<raireiito  and  opened  the  Western  Hotel,  securing  at  the  outset 
the  pat]  onage  of  all  the  stage  lines,  some  twenty  coaches  per  day,  and  entertained  daily  about  300  guests.  Mr. 
Haflley  was  taken  sick,  and  finally  died  in  Philadelphia,  where  she  had  sent  him  for  his  health.  She  erected  a 
costly  monument  over  his  remains  in  Laurel  Hill  Cemetery,  bearing  the  inscription  "  the  wife's  tribute,'"  and  re- 
tired from  business.  Soon  after,  however,  she  opened  a  first-class  boarding  house,  deriving  her  patronage  mainly 
from  members  of  the  lezislat  re,  and  continued  until  the  great  flood  of  1862,  when  she  moved  to  San  Francisco 
and  purchased  the  residence  of  the  late  U.  S.  Senator  Broderick,  who  was  killed  in  a  duel  with  Judge  Tirry,  of  Cal- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  705 

ifornia.  After  a  residence  of  four  years  in  private  life  she  opened  a  first-class  boarding  house  on  Kearney  street, 
corner  of  Washington,  in  which  she  continued  until  1876,  when  she  sold  out  and  made  a  trip  east,  visiting  the  Cen- 
tennial Exposition.  Returning,  she  stopped  to  vifit  friends  in  Marshall  couuty,  and  while  here  purchased  the  Hat- 
field  farm,  in  Saratoga  township,  for  which  she  paid  $10.000  cash  In  the  meantime  her  daughter,  Maria  Acnes, WHS 
attending  school  at  the  seminary  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  in  Philadelphia,  where  she  graduated  with  the  highest  honors 
after  six  years'  study.  She  was  the  treasurer  of  the  school,  and  a  great  favorite  with  all.  One  one  occasion  when 
news  arrived  of  a  brilliant  victory  gained  by  Gen.  Grant,  she  was  confidentially  informed  of  it  by  one  of  the  sisters, 
with  a  caution  not  to  my  anything  about  it  to  the  young  ladiep,  there  being  some  300  there,  many  of  whom  were 
from  the  south ;  but  her  patriotism  overbalanced  her  caution,  and  when  ?he  got  into  the  dining  room  she  picked  up 
a  chair  and  called  on  all  present  to  eive  three  cheers  for  the  grand  victory;  then  holding  the  chair  over  her  head, 
marched  round  the  table,  calling  for  three  cheers  more.  At  this  point  the  principal  came  in  and  told  her  she  should 
have  her  turned  out  of  school  for  creating  such  excitement,  and  sent  for  her  uncle,  Mr.  Hafley,  a  silk  merchant  of 
Philadelphia,  who  upon  his  arrival  told  her  to  give  ten  cheers  for  the  next  victory  she  beard  of.  and  then  he  would 
send  her  to  Paris.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  Charles  Pond,  hardware  merchant,  of  San  Francisco  Mrs.  Hafley  is 
still  an  active  business  lady,  living  on  the  ample  income  from  her  property. 

C.  M.  DAWSON. 

Mr.  Dawson  resides  on  section  17,  his  occupation  being  that  of  a  farmer.  He  was  born  in  Monongahela  county, 
Va.,  in  1839,  locating  in  Bureau  county.  III.,  in  1857,  and  in  Marshall  county  in  1878.  In  1864  he  married  Mary  J. 
Raymond,  "ho  was  born  in  Connecticut.  They  have  four  children,— Freddie,  Franklin,  Martha  and  Edward. 
While  a  resident  of  Bureau  county  Mr.  Dawson  served  his  community  some  eight  years  as  a  school  trustee.  His 
present  homestead  embraces  90  acres  of  land,  with  good  improvements. 

GEORGE  W.  BICKERMAN. 

Mr.  Bickerman  is  a  farmer  residing  in  Whitefield  township,  who  was  born  on  the  place  he  now  occupies,  in 
1856.  His  parents  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  the  county,  and  made  good  provision  for  their  children.  In  1877 
he  married  Maggie  Matter  n,  born  in  Henry  township,  and  they  have  one  child,  Adam  L.,  born  in  1878.  They  are 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  145  acres,  and  37  acres  in  timber,  is  a  good  farmer,  and 
well  posted  in  matters  pertaining  to  farming,  stock  raising,  etc. 

EDWARD  SCHUSTER. 

Mr.  Schuster  was  born  in  Henry,  in  1854.  Engaged  in  the  ice  business  in  Henry  in  1877-8,  in  which  he  was 
quite  successful.  Is  a  member  of  the  fire  department,  and  a  real  estate  owner.  Since  quitting  his  former  business 
he  has  been  speculating,  in  which  he  has  made  money. 

RUSSELL  E.  HEACOCK. 

Mr.  Heacock  is  a  native  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  having  been  born  in  Leeds  county  and  removed  to  the 
vicinity  of  Henry  in  1841,  In  August, 1848,  he  married  Sarah  H.  Davidson,  bora  in  the  same  county  with  himself. 
Up  to  1857  he  lived  in  Henry,  where  he  served  some  time  as  mayor,  and  as  aldermen.  Was  assessor  two  years,  and 
filled  other  positions.  Mr.  H.  is  interested  in  the  early  history  of  the  place  and  county,  and  possesses  much 
valuable  information.  He  is  a  good  talker,  a  pleasant,  genial  gentleman,  and  owns  a  good  farm  with  first  class 

surroundings, 

1f 

MRS.  NANCY  H.  COAN. 

Mrs.  Coan  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1833,  her  maiden  name  being  Brassfield.  Her  parents  came  to  Peoria  when 
she  was  a  child,  and  she  married  William  D.  Louden,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1858.  He  died  in  1872,  leaving  three 
children -De  Witt.  Rebecca  and  Henry.  She  married  Mr.  T.  P.  Coan  in  1875.  He  is  agent  for  the  Hanna  wagon  in 
Nebraska.  Mrs.  C.  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Whitefield,  also  her  residence  in  Henry.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational church. 

PETER  MATTERN. 

Mr.  Mattern  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1816,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1842,  settling  in  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  1844.  He  married  Frances  Krich  in  1842,  in  Albany,  N.  ¥.,  born  in  Bavaria.  They 
have  seven  children— Geo.  P.,  Katherina.  Michael  J.,  Stephen,  Margaret,  William  and  Henry.  Are  members  of  the 
Catholic  church.  He  owns  140  acres  of  land  under  excellent  cultivation,  is  much  interested  in  the  growth  of  fruit, 
makes  excellent  cider,  etc.,  for  which  he  finds  a  ready  market. 

EMANUEL  B.  EMERICK. 

Mr  Emerick  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Washington  county,  Va..  in  1851  and  is  a  sou  of  G.  W.  Emerick ,  a  large  land 
holder  of  this  township.  He  came  to  Marshall  county  along  with  his  parents  when  a  child,  and  married  Jennie 
Moody,  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  in  1877.  They  have  one  child,  Anna  May,  born  Jan.  24tb,  1879. 

MRS.  TILLIE  E.  KLINE. 

Mrs,  Kline  is  widow  of  Geo.  W-  Kline,  and  was  born  in  Lewiston,  Mifflin  county.  Pa.  She  married  George  ff. 
Kline,  October  6. 1876,  and  he  died  August  8, 1879.  leaving  seven  children,  viz.,  J.  B.,  Ella,  Beiv'amin,  Louisa,  Me. 


706  RECORDS   OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

ClellaD.  Minnie  and  Vernon.  Mr.  Kline  first  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  in  Canton,  and  afterward  at  farming, 
which  he  followed  very  successfully,  and  then  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  with  Mr.  Green.  He  bought  Mr.  Green's 
interest  in  a  few  months,  and  sold  out  to  A.  M.  Pool.  A  year  or  so  before  his  death  he  again  went  into  the  trade 
under  the  firm  of  Law  &  Kline,  which  firm  was  dissolved  by  death.  He  was  an  estimable  citizen,  correct  in  his 
dealings,  industrious,  and  largely  esteemed  by  those  who  knew  him. 

ELNATHAN,  KNAPP. 

Mr.  Kcapp  was  born  in  Fairfield,  Connecticut,  in  1830,  and  removed  to  Marsha  11  county,  Illinois,  in  1869.  He 
married  Sarah  Quimby  in  1S59.  She  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  to  them  have  been  given  three  chil- 
dren—Eva A.,  Edmond  E  and  Alfred  A.  Mr.  Knapp  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  fruit  land  under  cul- 
tivation, and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  charch. 

LOTON  FRISBEY. 

Mr.  Krisbev  is  an  old  and  wealthy  farmer,  who'  has  lived  In  the  county  since  1835.  He  was  born  in  Rutland 
county,  Vt.,  in  1806,  and  moved  to  Cbafrtuque  county.  New  York,  in  1833.  He  married  Rboda  Mallory  in  1827,  born 
in  Vermont,  who  becime  the  mother  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  survive  and  three  are  dead.  The  living  are 
Amanda,  Hiram.  Eliza,  Henry  and  Elvira.  Mr.  Frisbey  owns  185  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  has  laid  by  a 
goodly  sum  to  make  his  old  age  comfortable.  Himself  and  wife  have  toiled  long  and  well,  and  their  days  have 
been  long  in  the  land.  They  still  live  in  the  home  they  made  in  younger  days,  and  can  view  the  future  with  hope 
and  the  past  without  regret. 

JAMES  A.  HANSON. 

Mr.  Hanson  lives  on  section  9  of  Henry  township,  and  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois  in  1847,  and  moved 
to  Marshall  county  in  1866.  In  1871  he  married  Eliza  Smith,  likewise  born  in  Peoria  county,  and  one  child  has  since 
been  born  to  them— Walter  8.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  all  under  cultivation,  on  which  he  has  just 
erected  a  fine  dwelling  house. 

ABRAHAM  W.  HOAGLAND. 

Mr.  Hoagland  is  a  native  of  New  York  state  where  he  was  born  in  1812,  and  with  his  parents  came  to  Putnam 
county  io  1856.  In  1868  his  father  died.  Hismother  is  still  living.  When  President  Lincoln  called  for  "six  hundred 
thousand  more"  he  shouldered  his  musket  and  became  a  soldier  in  the  87th  III.,  serving  until  the  end  of  the  war. 
He  owns  120  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  a  good  house  and  other  buildings. 

J.  W.  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  farmer,  born  in  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  in  1815.  He  came  west  in  1838,  and  located  near 
where  he  now  lives  in  1839.  In  1846  he  wedded  Maiy  J..  sister  of  Deacon  Pool,  of  Henry.  She  died  in  1866,  leaving 
four  children — Walter  Morris,  Eugene  and  Stella.  He  married  his  present  wife,  formerly  Mary  E.  Baker,  in  1871. 
They  have  one  child,  Henry.  Although  64  years  old  Mr.  Jones  is  hale  and  tearty,  and  Mrs.  Jones  is  quite  young 
looking,  showing  that  their  lives  have  been  free  from  care  and  trouble. 

JOHANN  JOSEPH  MERDIAN. 

Mr.  Merdian  lives  on  Sec.  20.  and  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  in  Bavaria,  in  1811.  He  came,  to  the  United  States 
in  1836  and  worked  at  wagon  makir  g  in  New  York  city  until  he  cime  to  Henry  in  1873.  For  some  time  he  ran  both 
the  shop  and  farm,  but  finding  this  would  not  do  he  sold  his  shop  and  confined  himself  to  farming,  in  which  he  has 
been  quite  successful.  He  married  Mary  Burgun  in  1838,  born  in  France,  and  they  have  nine  children — Stephen  J., 
Mary,  Clara,  George,  Peter,  Conrad,  John,  Bernard  and  Henry.  He  owns  his  home  farm  of  430  acres,  160  acres  in 
Woodford  county  and  100  acres  in  Whitefield,  Himself  and  family  are  membergof  the  German  Lutheran  church. 

P.  S.  PERLEY, 

Lawyer  and  Postmaster,  Henry,  111. 

JOHN  A.  WARREN, 

Grocer,  Henry,  Illinois. 

WILLIAM  WARREN, 

Grocer,  Henry,  Illinois. 

JOSEPH  C.  KALB,  Physician  and  Surgeon. 

Dr.  Kalb,  proprietor  of  th*  drug  store  that  be.irs  his  name,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  and 
has  led  a  rather  exciting  life.  He  was  given  a  liberal  education  and  early  began  the  study  of  medicine,  attending 
lectures  as  early  as  1851,  and  he  began  practice  then.  He  was  a  hard  student,  poring  over  his  books  early  and  late 
and  when  given  a  diploma  was  one  of  the  best  informed  physicians  in  the  county.  He  graduated  from  Sterling 
Medical  college  in  1S56-7.  In  1861  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  421  Ohio  Volunteers  and  served  through  the  ex- 
citing campaign  that  preceded  the  fall  of  Vicksbiirg,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Champion  Hill,  Black  R'ver  and 
Jackson .  He  was  also  in  the  R  ;d  River  expedition,  and  was  through  the  campaign  in  eastern  Kentucky .  Was  pro- 


btOGTCAPHICAL    bEPARTMENT.  707 

tnnted  to  division  surgeon  with  the  army  under  Gen.  A.  L.  Lee,  and  medical  inspector  in  the  field,  after  the  Rfd 
River  expedition,  with  charge  of  the  greater  part  of  the  13th  and  19th  army  corps.  He  was  mustered  out  Nov.  28th, 
1864,  and  married  Miss  8.  S.  Brown  in  1851,  their  two  children  being  named  Clinton  and  Kdina.  He  came  to  Henry 
in  1869,  where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  His  large  experience  has  given  given  him  unusual 
opportunity  to  study  difficult  and  complicated  diseases!  and  especially  surgical  cases.  He  stands  high  in  the  pro- 
fession and  exercises  a  marked  influence  in  the  community. 

MARY  C.  POWELL. 

Mrs.  Powell  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  where,  in  1836.  she  married  L.  R.  Powell,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
He  died  in  1859  leavinc  to  her  care  three  children— Daniel  H.,  Alfred  H.  and  Lucy  B.  They  are  members  of  the  M 
E .  church.  Mr,  PoweUIwas  a  kind  husband  and  father  and  greatly  beloved . 

MARK  GREGORY. 

A  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Ashtabula,county  in  1835.  whence  he  moved  with  his  parents  in  1837  to  Auglaize 
county,  in  the  same  state,  and  from  there  to  Peoria  county,  111.,  in  1843,  where  he  remained  until  !18  years  of  age. 
In  1853  he  came  to  Marshall  county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  resides  on  section  8,  is  engaged  in 
farming,  and  owns  160  acres  of  land  with  first-class  improvements,  all  under  thorough  cultivation.  In  1866  he  mar- 
ried Eleanor  Ursula  Goodrich,  a  native  of  Vermont.  1  hey  have  one  child  living,  Charles  D.,  and  one  deceased.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  is  now  road  commissioner  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  school 'directors. 

WILLIAM  P.  WILLIAMS. 

Mr.  William*  was  born  in  Union  county,  New  Jersey,  in  1823,  and  came  to  Maishall  county  in  1854.  He  mar- 
ried Petronella  Hoagland  in  1847,  born  in  Middlesex  county,  New  Jersey.  They  have  six  children  as  follows:  Han- 
nah 0..  James  A.,  Bessie,  Annette,  Marv  W.  and  Carrie.  Are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Williams 
has  a  fine  dairy,  and  furnishes  the  citizens  of  Henry  with  purs  milk.  He  i'.  a  good  business  man,  a  pleasant  talker, 
generous  and  liberal.  Such  men  deserve  to  be — as  Mr.  Williams  has  always  been— successful. 

W.    C.    GUYER. 

Mr.  Guyer  is  a  farmer  and  riairj  man  residing  on  section  9.  He  was  born  in  Mifflin  county.  Pa.,  in  1839,  and 
located  in  this  county  in  1869.  In  1864  he  married  Malinda  Fibbs,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  five 
children,— Lloyd  II..  Doffie  D.,  Charles  A.,  Ida  M.  and  Fannie  R.  Mr.  Guyer  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  church.  He  owns  56  acres  of  land  adjoining  Henry,  and  has  made  a  speciality  of  the  dairy  busi- 
ness since  1876,  keeping  12  cows  and  supplying  the  city  with  milk.  He  isat  this  writing  a  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors. 


708 


RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


EVANS  TOWNSHIP. 


HENRY  FOSTER. 

Mr.  Foster  was  born  in  Soutbwick,  Mass.,  in  1827  and  moved  to  Connecticut  with  his  oarenU  when  but  two 
years  old, where  he  learned  the  trade  of  harness  making.  In  1854  he  came*  west  locating  at  Palatine,Putnam  county, 
III.,  and  the  year  following  removed  to  Magnolia  and  established  himself  in  business.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Squires  in  1849.  born  in  Hattford,  Conn.,  and  they  have  three  children— James  i'.,  Josephine  A.  and  Frank  H.  In 
1864  he  moved  to  Wenona  and  opened  business  here.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  77th  Regiment 
111.,  Volunteers.  He  was  elected  police  justice  iu  1875  and  served  four  years.  Is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

DAVID  STATELER. 

Mr.  Stateler  is  a  retired  farmer  livins  in  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  1806,  moved  to 
Tazewell  county.  111.,  in  182),  ani  to  Putnam  county  in  1831.  He  married  Marv  Myers  in  1830,  a  native  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  they  have  fife  children  living— M*ry  (Mrs.  Burns),  U  H.,  Almira  R.,  Marshall  and  Bradford.  He 
claimed  220  acres  in  Roberts  township  in  1831  and  entered  it  when  it  came  into  market  and  opened  a  large  farm 
and  followed  this  business  np  to  1865,  when  be  moved  to  Wenona.  Mr.  Stateler  has  filled  all  the  responsible  offices 
in  his  township  and  taken  a  leading  part  in  public  Rffaiis.  He  made  money  in  farming  and  knows  how  to 
enjoy  it. 

ISAAC  VAUGHN. 

Mr.  Vaughn  was  born  in  1831,  name  to  Illinois  air!  located,  at  Magnolia.  He  came  to  Wenona  iu  1858  and 
worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  company  H.  of  the  104th  111.  Volunteers  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  many  of  the  great  battles  of  the  west .  He  was  in  Sherman's  great  cam- 
luiicn  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  thence  to  the  sea,  and  took  part  in  the  grand  parade  at  Washington.  When 
mustered  out  he  t  ommanded  the  company.  In  the  full  of  1865  was  elected  county  treasurer  and  served  two  years. 
In  1867  he  returned  to  Wenona  and  established  the  firm  of  Southwell  &  Vaughn  and  still  carries  on  the  business. 
He  married  Maria  Adams  ( Willis)  in  1S68  and  their  children  are  Cora,  Alice,  Ralph  and  Fred.  Was  elected  the  first 
mayor  of  Wenona  and  served  two  terms.  He  keeps  a  first-class  stock  of  drugs  and  does  a  good  business. 

WLLLIAM  J.  MCALLISTER 

Mr.  McAllister  belong^  to  the  firm  of  Stateler  &  McAllister,  of  Wenona,  and  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1850,  He 
obtained  a  good  general  and  mercantile  education  at  home  and  in  the  city  of  Limerick,  where  he  served  in  the 
wholesale  firms  of  J.  and  T.  Norton,  Carnock,  Tail  &  Co..  William  J.  Todd  &  Co.  and  A.  and  J.  Mitchell,  in  all 
more  than  eight  years.  He  came  to  Chicago  in  1872  and  entered  into  the  employ  of  Carson,  Pirie  &  Co.,  remaining 
until  1873,  when  he  became  a  clerk  for  E.  8.  Fowler  &  Co.,  of  Wenona,  Was  with  them  three  years  and  on  his  re- 
tiracy  helped  form  the  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member.  He  married  in  1877,  Flora  Southwell,  the  first  child  born  in 
Rutland  township.  Their  only  child,  Roy,  died  when  two  years  old.  The  firm  to  which  he  belongs  does  a  large 
business  and  they  carry  an  extensive  stock. 

J.  B.  HUDSON,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Hudson  was  born  in  1841  and  came  to  Lacon  with  his  parents  in  1845.  going  from  thence  to  Janesville, 
Wis.,  in  1851.  He  attended  school  at  Evansville  and  Milton  and  completed  his  education  at  the  state  university, 
Madison.  He  studied  medicine  and  graduated  at  the  Bennett  Medical  college,  in  Chicago,  and  settled  in  Wenona, 
where  he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  for  17  years.  In  1878  he  married  Maggie  Lawless,  of  Bureau  county,  111., 
a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  is  a  good  physician  and  very  successful,  having  built  np  a  good 
practice. 

JOHN  O.  DENT. 

Mr.  Dent  is  a  capitalist  residing  in  the  city  of  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Monongahala  county,  W.  Va.,  in 
1819,  and  in  1823  moved  with  his  father  to  Wayne  county,  Ind..  where  they  remained  until  1832,  when  they  located 
in  Putnam  county.  111.  In  1849  he  made  his  first  entry  of  land,  in  Osage  township,  LaSalle  county,  which  he  still 
retains  and  has  occupied  ever  since.  About  the  same  time  he  entered  160  acres  in  Evans  township,  Marshall  county. 
He  built  his  first  residence  in  1851.  In  March  of  1850  he  married  Harriet  F.  Spencer,  daughter  of  Horace  Spencer, 
of  Whitefield  township.  They  have  seven  children  living. — Frances  M.,  Mary  8.,  Horace  F.,  Rosalie  8.,  Eva  L.,  John 
O.,  Jr.,  and  Judith  G.  Be  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members  of  the  Chapter 
of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  was  supervisor  of  Osage  township  during  the  first  eight  years  from  its  organization,  was  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  709 

/ 

member  of  the  State  legislature,  tilled  successfully  all  the  local  offices,  and  was  president  of  the  Wenona  Union 
Fair  Association  for  the  term  of  1878-79.  Mr.  Dent  is  an  extensive  land  owner,  having  600  acres  aronnd  Wenona, 
80  acres  in  Gilman,  and  about  300  acres  in  Vermillion  county,  all  of  which  is  rented  with  the  exception  of  his  home 
farm  of  120  acres  in  LaSalle  county,  just  across  the  line  from  Wenona.  This  is  composed  of  very  choice  land, 
specially  devoted  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock,  in  which  he  is  extensively  engaged.  Ho  keeps  a  large  number  of 
cows  for  breeding  purposes  exclusively,  and  markets  on  an  average  about  fifty  fat  steers  per  year.  To  Mr.  Dent  is 
also  due  the  credit  of  starting  the  first  nursery  in  this  part  of  the  country,  raising  from  seed  nearly  all  the  trees 
within  twenty  miles  of  Wenona,  His  home  farm  is  divided  by  handsome  hedge  fences  into  eleven  fields,  each  hav- 
ing a  erove  of  timber  which  serves  admirably  as  shade  and  shelter  for  his  stock.  A  main  avenue  with  which  each 
field  connects  extends  through  the  entire  farm,  and  is  thickly  lined  with  shade  trees  on  either  side,  affording  n  de- 
lightfully cool  and  snady  retreat  in  the  wannest  weather.  It  is  a  model  farm— the  creation  of  a  model  farmer. 

CHARLES  PARKER. 

Dealer  in  agricultural  machinery.  Mr,  Parker  was  born  in  Norfolk  county,  Mass.,  in  1812.  and  came  to  Mar- 
shall county  in  1836,  locating  on  Bound  Prairie.  He  bought  480  acres  which  he  farmed  up  to  1861,  when  he  retired. 
He  was  active  in  raising  funds  for  volunteers  at  Lacon  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  although  a  Democrat  himself 
He  retired  from  farming  and  established  the  agricultural  implement  depot  at  Wenona,  where  he  has  been  en- 
gaged with  his  sons  ever  since.  Married  Maria  L.  Dean  in  1838.  She  was  born  in  New  York  city.  They  have  five 
children— Charles  D..  Ellen  (Gallaher),  Jane  P.,  George  W,  and  Amelia.  Mrs.  Parker  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  Mr.  Parker  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order*  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  18  years  in  Marshall 
county.  They  keep  all  kinds  of  machinery  for  farm  purposes  in  their  establishment  and  carry  a  large  stock  of  re- 
pairs. They  keep  McCormick's  full  line  of  goods,  besides  other  reputable  manufacturers.  Mr.  Parksr  is  active 
and  pushing,  and  wiilget  business  when  it  is  to  be  had, 

E.  S.  FOWLER. 

Mr.  Fowler  in  a  native  of  Massachusesta,  and  was  born  in  1821.  He  emigrated  weat  in  1850  and  located  in  Hen- 
nepin.  after  which  he  went  to  Caledonia.  He  remained  here  a  short  time  and  came  to  Wenona,  engaging  in  the 
grain  business,  following  it  nstil  1859 .  when  he  opened  up  a  stock  of  dry  goods  and  has  been  in  the  trade  ever 
since,  transacting  a  large  and  successful  business.  He  married  Miss  E-  A.  Knowles  in  1865,  born  in  Ohio,  and  to 
them  three  children  have  been  born— Henry  K.,  born  in  1866,  Paul,  in  1868,  and  Georgie  in  1872.  When  he  came  to 
Wenona  and  engaged  in  the  grain  trade  he  lived  with  his  brother.  Mr.  Fowler  understands  his  business  and  keeps 
it  well  in  hand.  He  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  men  in  the  county. 

SAMUEL  SCOTT. 

Mr.  Scott  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  in  1825,  where  he  obtained  his  education.  In  1844  he  engaged 
in  boating  on  the  Ohio  River,  and  worked  his  way  up  from  fireman  to  captain.  When  the  Mexican  war  broke  out, 
he  enlisted  in  the  army  as  a  teamster,  and  in  that  capacity  served  through  the  war.  At  the  close  he  returned  to  the 
United  States  and  located  in  Magnolia,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Putnam  and  Marshall  counties  since,  except  19 
months  spent  in  California— 1850-51.  He  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Phillips  ( Worthington)  in  1848.  She  died  in  1869, 
leaving  one  child.  Sarah  J.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Laura  Baker,  in  1870.  a  native  of  this  county.  Thev  have 
four  children— Charles  B.,  Julia,  8.  W,  8.  and  Cornelia.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  aUo  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.  He  and  hU  wife  are  also  members  of  the  Chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  was  collector  of  this  township  one 
term.  He  established  his  grocery  business  in  1868.  and  it  is  the  oldest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  city.  In 
1871  he  associated  with  him  in  businesss  Mr.  K.  F.  Becher,  also  an  old  merchant.  They  carry  a  large  stock  of 
choice  groceries  and  provisions.  They  are  both  gentlemen  of  refinement,  polite  and  attentive  to  all,  and  command 
a  lame  trade. 

S.  B.  PATCH. 

Mr.  Patch  (of  Patch  &  Swift),  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1838,  and  came  west  in  1864,  locating  in  Ottawa, 
and  in  Peru  in  1865,  and  in  Wenona  in  1870,  when  they  started  a  small  foundry.  Thev  have  now  one  of  the  most 
perfect  and  complete  establishments  west  of  Pitteburg.  In  a  word  it  is  perfect  in  all  its  appointments,  and  having 
made  stove  repairs  a  specialty,  they  are  prepared  to  offer  to  the  public  the  largest  assortment  of  any  foundry  in 
the  west.  They  have  castings  for  the  repair  of  all  kinds  of  stoves  now  in  use.  having  gone  to  a  large  expense  in 
getting  patterns.  Th^y  challenge  any  firm  in  the  west  to  furnish  as  many  patterns  as  they  do.  Mr,  P.  married 
Sarah  A.  Beam  in  1865.  She  wes  born  in  Johnson  county.  Pa.  They  have  ten  chilnren — Ada  B.,  Katie,  Eliner  E., 
Louis,  Sarah  J,.  Samuel  J.,  Clomie  E.,  Minnie,  Raymond  and  Pheba.  Mrs.  Patch  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E,  church, 
Mr.  P.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  Societies,  and  has  served  as  alderman  two  years,  and  mayor 
two  years. 

GARRETT  NEWKIRK,  M.  D.,  Practicing  Dentist. 

Doctor  Newkirk  was  born  in  Calhoun  county,  Michigan,  May  3, 1847,  and  removed  with  his  father  to  Stark 
county,  111.,  in  June,  1854.  8t"died  medicine  at  the  age  of  eighteen  with  Dr.  O.  W.  Newell,  then  of  Marshall  county; 
attended  two  courses  of  lectures  and  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  February  1868.  Removed  to 
Missouri  in  1869,  and  practiced  medicine  and  surgery  there  till  October,  1873.  Lived  at  Low  Point  and  Washburn, 
Woodford  county,  five  years.  There  being  no  resident  dentist  there,  he  became  interested  in  the  special  care  and 


710 


RECORDS   OF   TltE   OLDEN   TIME. 


treatment  of  the  teeth.  Made  dentistry  a  subject  of  study,  and  liking  the  work,  gradually  withdrew  from  medical 
practice  to  engage  in  it.  Located  in  Wenona  in  August,  1878,  and  encaged  exclusively  in  its  practice,  Is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Marshall  and  Woodford  county  Medical  Societies,  and  North  Genital  Medical  Associations.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1872,  mairied  Miss  Martha  E.  Martin,  daughter  of  John  M.  Martin,  then  of  Wnodford  county,  now  of  Normal. 
She  was  born  in  Washington  u  unity,  Indiana,  in  March.  1850,  and  was  brought  to  Woodford  county  the  sam*  year. 
Followed  teaching  in  Woodford  and  Marshall  counties  eight  years.  They  have  had  two  children— sons,  one  of 
whom  is  dead.  The  name  of  the  living  child,  an  infant,  is  John  Martin  Newkirk.  It  is  to  be  hoped  he  may  live  to 
read  this  Record,  and  first  printed  mention  of  himself. 

R.    C.    MULHALLEN. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Va.,  in  1823,  moved  to  Park  county,  Ind..  with  his  parents  in 
1836,  and  to  Marshall  county  in  1858.  He  commenced  business  life  as  a  farmer  in  Roberts  township,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1664,  when  he  engaged  in  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements  two  years,  aud  in  1866  embarked  in  the 
grocery  business.  Tn  October  of  1&73  he  married  Mrs.  Sarah  4  Kuoff  (Morley),  a  native  of  Wood  county,  Ohio. 
They  have  two  children,  Clara  B.  and  William  H.  Mrs.  M.  had  one!  child  by  her  first  marriage,  Alice  Knoff . 
Mr.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  Manonic  order,  and  has  served  two  years  in  the  board  of  aldermen 

ANDREW  ROGERS,  Proper  Adelbert  House. 

Mr.  Rogers  waa  born  in  County  Clare,  Ireland,  in  1819.  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849.  and  settled  in 
Cleveland.  Ohio.  Has  been  a  citizen  of  Marshall  county  since  1860.  He  married  Kliza  Ringrose  March  17, 1849. 
She  was  born  in  Ireland.  They  have  two  children  living— Miry  and  Kate,  and  six  children  deceased.  Are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church.  He  owns  the  hotel,  which  he  is  now  running,  and  is  miking  some  esirable  improve- 
ments on  the  property.  The  place  is  well  situated  for  custom,  and  its  surroundings  pleasan. 

J.  G.  FORNEY,  Photographer. 

Mr.  Forney  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1843.  He  learned  his  business  in  Hennepin,  and  carried  on 
there  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  Wenona  in  1870.  where  he  has  been  since.  He  has  facilities  to  make  any  size  or 
style  of  pictures,  and  his  work  is  unsurpassed.  He  married  Miss  M.  C.  Sunderlin  in  1870.  She  wag  born  in  Bureau 
county,  111.  They  have  one  child— Daisy  L.  Mrs.  Forney  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  cbnrch.  He  has  turned  out 
some  of  the  finest  pictures  ever  made  in  the  place,  is  fully  up  with  the  times,  and  his  prices  are  always  reasonable, 

J.  M.  HIGGINS,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Higgins  was  born  in  Warsaw,  Wyoming  county,  New  York.  October  25, 1826  He  moved  west  in  1842,  and 
located  in  Racine,  Wis.,  then  to  Alruira,  Jefferson  county,  Wis.,  in  1844,  and  to  Qnincy.  111.,  in  1851,  where  he 
studied  dentistry.  He  married  Clara  Story  in  1853,  born  in  Lockpoit  N.  Y.,  and  to  them  one  child,  Clarence  M., 
was  born .  Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  he  and  Mrs.  H.  are 
members  of  the  Chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star.  They  moved  to  Havana,  III.,  in  1863.  where  he  practiced  dentistry  till 
1866  when  they  removed  to  Chicago,  where  they  continued  the  business  up  to  1869,  during  which  time  he  was  study- 
ing medicine,  and  graduated  from  the  Bennet  Eclectic  College  in  that  city.  The  same  year  he  moved  to  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  where  he  practiced  medicine  and  dentistry  for  one  year,  then  returned  to  Quincy.  After  that  he  lived  in 
Galesburg  and  Streator,  and  finally  located  in  Wenona  in  1878.  Besides  the  acquirements  already  enumerated  the 
doctor  is  a  fine  singer  and  good  musician,  and  is  an  excellent  photographer. 

E.  P.  BARKER. 

Mr.  Barker  was  born  in  Chester,  Maps.,  in  1837,  and  came  west  in  1844,  locating  in  Peru.  He  has  been  in  the 
hardward  business  as  clerk  or  proprietor  since  15  years  of  age.  3e  clerked  for  E.  B.  Treat,  of  LaSalle,  for  several 
years,  and  started  in  business  for  himself  in  Wenona  in  1863.  He  erected  a  fine  store  22x75  feet  for  his  business,  but 
soon  required  a  larger  one.  His  present  store  is  22x130  feet,  two  story  and  basement,  filled  with  a  well  selected 
stock  of  goods  in  his  line,  and  will  compare  favorably  with  any  in  Chicago  or  elsewhere.  He  married  a  Miss  Maria 
M.  Morton  in  1864.  She  was  Ijprn  in  West  Randolph,  Vt.  They  have  one  child,  Willis  E.,  born  in  1865.  Mr.  Barker 
is  treasurer  of  the  Wenona  Union  Fair  Association,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Wenona  Cemetery  Association, 
and  held  the  unenviable  position  of  superintendent  of  the  show  and  license  department  of  the  Wenona  fair  for 
six  years,  which  he  rilled  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all.  In  fact,  he  has  filled  nearly  all  the  local  positions  in  his 
community,  invariably  acquitting  himself  with  credit.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  unusual  business  qualifications, 
polite  and  attentive  to  all  alike. 

JAMES  B.  WORK. 

Mr,  Work  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  in  1809,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1836,  along  with  his 
father  and  brothers.  Whether  his  ancestors  were  Puritans  or  Cavaliers,  it  is  certain  he  comes  from  a  race  that 
loved  freedom  and  hated  slavery,  and  his  mind  was  early  made  up  on  which  side  his  influence  should  be  cast.  His 
home  was  on  Crow  Creek  and  near  what  is  still  known  as  'Works  ford,"  a  noted  crossing  place  in  those  days.  Not 
long  after  their  settlement  fugitives  fleeing  from  slavery,  with  the  north  star  as  their  guide,  began  to  arrive  and 
crave  assistance,  which  to  his  credit  be  it  said  was  never  refused.  In  the  course  of  time  the  travel  increased,  and 
his  father's  place  became  widely  known  as  a  "  station  "  on  the  U.  Q,  11.  R.  Fugitives  came  at  all  hours,  and  if  there 
was  danger  of  pursuit,  no  night  was  too  dark  or  inclement  to  prevent  his  helping  them  to  the  next  resting  place, 
the  hospitable  cabin  of  William  Lewis,  beyond  Magnolia.  How  many  slaves  Mr.  Work  has  aided  to  escape  cannot 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  711 

be  fully  told,  but  there  were  several  hundred,  and  computed  as  human  chattels  ranked  in  those  days,  it  is  probable 
their  slave  owners  were  half  a  million  dollars  the  pwrer  through  him.  In  1840  he  married  Mary  A.  Murphy,  and  to 
them  were  given  three  children— Albert  IV,  William  W-  and  James  I*.  Mrs,  W,  died  in  1852,  and  in  1854  he  married 
Sarah  A.  Miller,  by  whom  he  has  six  children  -Mary  TM  Grace  G.,  Maggie  L.,  David  E.,  Lizzie  M.  and  Hattie  P.  Mr. 
Work  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  l*resbyter."an  church,  and  for  23  years  he  has  been  ruling  elder. 

R.  F.  BECKER. 

Mr.  Becher  was  born  in  France,  near  the  city  of  Paris,  in  1846.  He  name  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents 
in  186:),  locatinsr  in  Sandwich,  in  this  state,  whence  he  mover!  to  Arcola,  and  fro-r  there  to  Wenona  in  1857.  He  has 
l>een  in  business  here  since  1870,  and  in  1871  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Scott  in  the  grocery  business.  In  1867 
he  married  Jennie  McQuown,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  They  have  four  children,— Frederick  W..  Edward  B., 
\llen  P.  and  Ella  I'ell.  Mr.  Becher  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  for  two  years  has  represented  that  ordcKfrom 
this  district  in  the  grand  lodge,  belongs  to  the  Masonic  orrler,  is  township  collector,  alderman  from  the  second  ward 
and  treasurer  of  Co.  B,  10th  Bat.  I  N.  G. 

J.  H.  JACKSON,  Attorney  at  Laic. 

Mr.  Jackson  w«s  born  in  New  York,  in  1635,  and  came  west  when  15  vears  old,  living  at  first  in  Henry,  where 
he  obtained  his  education  at  the  Northern  Illinois  University,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  read  law  with  P. 
8.  Perley  two  j  ears,  and  then  moved  to  Lncon,  entering  the  law  office  of  Bangs  &  Shaw.  Not  long  after  this  he  was 
appointed  deputy  circuit  clerk  under  Sheldon  Arnold,  and  served  four  years.  He  then  finished  his  law  studies  and 
wns  admitted  to  the  bur,  after  v^iich  he  moved  to  Wenona  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  bis  profession  in  the 
fall  ot  1865.  He  married  Miss  M.  J.  Ewalt  the  same  year,  born  in  Peoria  county,  and  they  have  two  children,  Flor- 
ence II.  and  Mabel.  Mr.  Jackson  has  been  city  attorney  and  alderman.  He  has  a  good  practice  in  the  home  and 
circuit  courts,  and  is  regarded  as  a  rising  min.  He  is  a  good  adviser,  and  a  careful,  painstaking  lawyer. 

JOHN  JUDD. 

Mr.  Judd  was  born  in  Wilks  county,  North  Carolina,  in  1825,  and  moved  with  his  father  to  LaSalle  county,  111., 
in  1831,  fettling  on  Sandy  creek.  The  next  spring  the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out,  and  the  few  settlers,  comprising 
twenty-seven  families,  joined  in  the  erection  of  a  fort  for  mutual  protection,  assisted  bv  some  friendly  Indians. 
He  remembers  msny  events  bnt  was  too  young  to  do  much  fighting.  He  married  Jane  Brown  in  1848,  born 
in  Fayette  county,  Pa.  They  have  tnree  children— Leroy,  N.  B.  and  Theresa.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order  and  alfo  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judd  are  members  of  the  Eistern  Star.  He  has  held  several  local 
offices  of  his  district.  The  Judd  tamily  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  in  the  county  aud  stands  high  in  the 
estimation  of  the  community. 

KENDALL  E.  RICH,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Rich  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  in  1824,  came  to  Michigan  and  stopped  one  year  and  then  re- 
moved to  Adams  county.  111.,  in  1846,  where  be  begpn  the  study  <  f  medicine  with  Dr.  G.  O.  Pond.  He  accom- 
panied the  army  to  Mexico  in  1847  and  was  made  hospital  steward  at  Vera  Cruz,  served  in  the  same  capacity  after 
the  war.  After  this  he  came  back  to  Adams  county,  completed  his  studies  and  graduated  at  the  Missouri  Medical 
College  in  1850.  and  in  the  fall  removed  to  Magnolia,  111.,  where  he  commenced  practice.  During  the  war  he  served 
HS  assistant  surgeon  of  the  73d  111.  Volunteers,  and  at  its  close  located  in  Wenona,  where  he  has  since  remained.  In 
1851  he  married  Julia  Baker  and  their  children  are  Mary,  Charles  E.  and  Kate.  The  doctor  was  present  at  the  first 
administration  of  chloroform  in  the  D-  S  army,  has  been  examining  surgeon  since  his  retiracy  from  the  service 
and  has  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 

JOHN  TAYLOR. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a  machinist  living  in  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa  in  1817,  and  came  west  in 
1842,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Putnam  county,  which  he  cultivated  until  1860,  when  he  sold  out,  moved  to  Wenona 
and  established  a  machine  shop,  in  which  business  he  has  since  remained,  though  latterly  devoting  a  portion  of  his 
time  to  the  cultivation  of  a  farm.  In  1844  he  married  Mary  A.  Mills,  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa,  They  have 
six  cbi'dren  — ilbert  R.,  Joseph  N.,  Isabella  A..  John  F..  Sarah  M.  and  William  H.  They  are  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  has  been  an  elder  since  1843.  He  has  been  an  earnest  advocate  of  tem- 
perance all  his  life,  being  an  active  member  of  the  Gord  Templars,  in  which  he  occupied  the  position  of  Worthy 
Chief  for  many  vears,  has  been  president  of  the  Bed  Ribbon  club,  aud  belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Temperence, 

THOS.  B.  HINMAN,  War/on   Manufacturer. 

Mt.  Hinman  was  born  in  New  Milford.  Lichfield  county,  Conn.,  in  1817.  He  went  to  Binghampton,  N.  5f., 
when  only  16  years  old,  where  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  with  two  older  brothers.  Worked  there  until  1833, 
when  they  moved  to  Tazewell  county.  III.,  where  his  brothers  established  business  and  he  served  out  nis  time,  five 
jears.  He  then  moved  to  Canton  Fulton  county,  and  after  working  at  jour  work  for  a  while,  went  into  part- 
nership with  nis  employer,  whom  he  soon  after  bought  out  and  run  the  busine  *s  there  about  eight  years.  He  then 
sol  1  3nt  and  purchased  a  farm  and  worked  it  until  185 1,  when  he  sold  out  all  his  interests  in  Fulton  county  and 
moved  to  Marshall  county,  purchasing  200  acres  in  Bennington  township.  He  lived  upon  this  about  eleven  years, 
then  sold  out  and  move  t  into  Wenona,  where  he  built  and  estab'isbed  his  p-esent  business  in  1865.  He  married 


712  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Mattha  A,  Sherwood  in  1845,  a  native  of  N,  Y.  They  have  five  children-Hanford  II.,  Eliza  A.,  Sarah  E..  Ada  E.  and 
Benton  E.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  school  trustee  and  director,  road  commissioner , 
and  justice  of  the  peace  in  Bennington  township.  He  was  one  of  the  first  aldermen  in  Canton,  Fulton  county 
He  is  a  finished  mechanic  and  has  facilities  to  turn  out  all  kinds  of  carriages,  buggies  and  wagons  to  order  on  short 
notice. 

MRS.  JANE  McCALL. 

Mrs.  McCall  was  born  in  Montgomery,  Franklin  county.  Ohio,  and  married  Marshall  McCall  in  1852.  He  was 
born  in  Washington  county,  Pa,,  in  1807-  He  died  in  1872,  leaving  three  sons  and  two  daughters  bv  a  former  mar- 
riage. Mrs.  McCall  has  one  daughter  by  a  former  marriage,  Henrietta  G.  (Dent).  T bey  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church.  Mr.  McCall  was  for  years  a  leading  citizen  of  the  township.  He  was  a  in  in  of  liberal  views,  well 
lead  on  national  affairs  and  a  deep  thinker.  He  was  the  first  president  of  the  Wenona  fair,  and  his  son,  John  A. 
served  one  term  in  the  Legislature,  was  a  long  time  supervisor  of  his  township  and  president  and  chief  owner  of 
the  Wenona  Bank. 

GEORGE  W.  McADAM. 

Mr.  McAdam  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1811  and  came  west  in  1857  locating  in  Roberts  township  where  he  followed 
farming  up  to  1865,  when  he  moved  to  Wenona  and  went  into  the  mercantile  business,  'n  1858  he  sold  out  and  went 
to  farming  in  La  Salle  county  where  he  lived  until  1871.  Went  to  town  again  and  stai  1  two  years,  and  went  on  to 
thd  farm  again  and  remained  until  1876.  Moved  to  town  for  two  years,  and  in  1878  he  purchased  52  acres  adjoining 
the  town  where  he  has  since  lived.  In  1840  he  married  Ann  J.  Moore,  who  died  in  1869.  leaving  six  children- 
George  G.,  James,  William  A.,  Annie,  Maggie  and  Mary.  John,  another  son,  died  £  the  armv.  In'1867  he  married 
Mrs.  Mary  Gill  (Mercer)  and  they  have  one  child,  Eddie.  Mr.  Me  tdam  has  lived  a  long  and  usef  nl  life  and  is  now 
reaping  the  reward  of  his  industry. 

JOHN  YEUK. 

Was  born  in  Nassau,  Germany,  in  1844.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1869  and  located  at  Caroline  Mills 
Rhode  Island.  In  1870  be  came  to  Mineral  Point,  \Vis..  and  worked  on  a  farm.  Went  to  La  -vtlle  in  1871  and 
worked  in  the  zinc  works  until  1875.  when  he  came  to  Wenona,  purchased  property  and  established  a  carriace 
manufactory.  Married  Katie  Bretz  in  1874,  born  in  Germany.  They  have  three  children  -  John,  Frank  and  Bertha. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  The  name  of  the  firm  is  Yeuk  &  Monk  and  they  make  all  kinds  of  car- 
riages, buggies,  and  spring  wagons  and  do  all  kinds  of  repairing. 

J.  S.  HUNT. 

Mr.  Hunt  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  1825,  came  west  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and  located  in  Putnam 
county.  He  moved  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  to  Wenona  in  1£59.  He  is  a  carpenter  and  builder  by 
trade,  and  has  steadily  followed  this  vocation  since  arriving  at  man's  estate.  In  1848  he  married  Mary  A.  Myers, 
born  in  Pennsylvania.  They  have  six  children,— Jacob  A.,  Clara  J..  Salathiel  M.,  Frank  P.,  George  and  Mary  J. 
They  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  his  father,  John  8.  Hunt,  was  the  organizer  in 
this  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  I-'.,  and  has  been  constable  and  township  collector  two  terms  each. 

RIJFUS  DOUGLAS. 

Mr.  Douglas  wss  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Maine,  and  came  west  in  1857,  first  locating  In  Nashville,  Wash- 
ington county.  111.,  whence  he  moved  to  Wenona  in  1860  and  embarked  in  the  carriage  business,  which  he  continued 
until  1874,  and  then  retired.  In  1843  he  married  Menella  A.  Nickerson,  born  in  Massachusetts.  They  had  one  boy, 
Henry  Clay,  "ho  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  104th  111.  Vols.,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge.  Mr.  Douglas 
went  to  California  in  1849.  returning  in  1856.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  masonic  order  over  thirty  years. 

L.  J.  HODGE. 

This  gentleman,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Howe,  Hodge  &  Ralston,  bankers,  of  Wenona,  was  born  in  Monroe 
county,  Ohio,  in  1841,  Hnd  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1852,  locating  in  Putnam  county.  He  came  to  Wennna  in 
1856,  and  in  1866  embarked  in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  followed  nnfil  1877,  when  he  became  identified  with 
the  above  firm.  In  1864  he  married  Harriet  E.  Howe,  a  native  of  this  state.  They  buve  two  children,  George  O.  and 
John  G.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

S.  G.  ALLEN. 

Mr.  Allen  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  III,,  in  1828,  and  rame  to  this  county  in  1857.  He  m»rried  Miss 
Emily  C.  Cundiff,  in  1853.  She  was  born  in  Virginia.  Th»y  have  four  children  -O.  G..  Bertha  F.,  Hattie.  E.  and 
Dora.  Mrs.  Allen  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  state  grange,  and  owns  210  acr<  s  of 
land  in  Evans  township,  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

JAMAS  T.  RALSTON. 

Mr.  Ralston  is  a  member  of  the  banking  firm  of  Howe.  Hodge  &  Ralston,  and  wns  for  several  years  with  J. 
A.  McColl  &  Co,  He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  P*..  in  1845,  and  came  west  in  1864,  locating  in  Washington, 
Iowa,  where  he  lived  three  years,  and  then  accepted  a  position  in  the  Wenona  bank  and  came  here.  He  remained 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  713 

with  it  until  the  present  firm  became  its  successors,  in  the  spring  of  1878.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Julia  McClans- 
han,  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  and  two  children  have  blessed  their  union,  Hattie  N'  and  Amelia  F.  They  are 
members  of  the  M  E.  church.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Wenona  Union  Fair,  and  takes  much  interest  in 
its  prosperity.  As  a  banker  Mr.  Ralston  stands  well  with  the  community,  and  the  institution  over  which  he  pre- 
sides has  a  deservedly  good  reputation. 

PETER  HOWE,  Banker.     (With  portrait.) 

Mr.  Howe  was  born  in  Windsor  county.  Vermont,  in  1816.  and  when  seventeen  years  old  left  his  native  place 
and  went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  he  learned  his  trade  of  brick  making.  This  was  in  the  year  1833.  He  visited 
Putnam  county  and  remained  one  year,  after  which  he  worked  in  various  places,  taking  care  of  his  money  and  stor- 
ing his  mind  with  information.  He  spent  the  year  1840  in  Alton;  then  he  went  up  to  Galena,  where  he  passed  the 
winter  of  1841-2.  His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  A.  C.  Parks,  and  they  have  five  children— Marion  A  .  Harriet  E.,  Je- 
rome, Charles  and  Ida.  Mr.  Howe  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in  Evans  township,  and  his  money  was  honestly 
come  by.  There  was  no  Credit  Mobilier  for  him,  no  orphans  were  defrauded,  nor  were  his  gains  the  result  of  a 
fortunate  gambling  speculation  on  the  Cbic«go  board  of  tiade.  Himself  and  wife  live  in  their  comfortable  home, 
and  looking  back  along  their  busy  lives  see  little  to  regret  and  less  of  duty  that  remains  undone.  In  the  year  1878 
he  established  the  Wenona  Bank,  in  connection  with  Messrs.  Hodae  and  Ralston,  but  it  is  understood  the  most  of 
its  capital  was  furnished  by  him.  In  religion  Mr.  Howe  and  his  wife  are  Baptists,  to  the  support  of  which  denom- 
ination they  largely  contribute . 

FRANK  H.  BRANT.    4 

Mr.  Brant  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  Feilruary  llth,  1855.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  watchmaker  and  jeweler 
in  Fairbury,  Livingston  county,  worked  about  five  months  in  Henry,  and  then  located  in  Varna,  starting  in  business 
for  himself  in  1876,  and  serving  as  assistant  postmaster  a  portion  of  the  time  during  his  residence  in  Varna.  In 
October  of  1879  he  moved  to  Wer.ona,  where  he  has  since  carried  on  his  business.  He  keeps  constantly  on  hand  a 
stock  of  goods  suitaple  to  his  trade. 

ABRAHAM  C.  MILLER. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1804.  He  came  west  in  1821  and  located  in  Tuscarawas  county.  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  until  1846,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  locate,!  in  LaSalle,  where  he  lived  until  1856.  In  that  year 
he  moved  to  Wenona  and  followed  the  carpenter  business.  In  1836  he  married  Jane  Porter,  who  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington county,  Md.,  and  they  have  three  children  -  Andre"  F..  Hannah  F.  (Mr?.  Turner)  and  Richard  P.  Are  mem- 
bers af  the  M.  E.  church.  In  1834  Mr.  Miller  walked  in  fourteen  days  from  Carrolltcn,  Ohio,  to  Little  York  and 
back,  a  total  distance  of  600  miles,  stopping  over  night  on  the  return  trip  at  the  same  places  he  had  stopped  at  in 
going. 

JOSEPH  R.  FOSTER. 

Mr.  Foster  was  born  in  Burlington  county,  N.  J.,  in  1810.  and  moved  to  Preble  county,  Ohio,  in  1846,  and 
engaged  in  farming.  In  1849  he  married  Margaret  Pelan,  a  native  of  England,  born  in  1823.  They  have  two 
children,  John  P.  and  Mattie  A.  (Mrs.  Wells.)  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  John  P.  is  a  member  of  the 
I,  O,  O.  F.  Mr.  Foster  owns  160  acres  of  laud  under  cultivation.  John  P.  married  Miss  Lovina  Clark  in  1875, 
a  native  of  Ohio.  She  died  in  August,  1879,  leaving  one  boy,  Perley,  born  in  1876. 

C.    RlEDT. 

Mr.  Riedt  was  bom  in  Wurtemburg.  Germany,  in  1836,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854.  He  first  located 
in  LaSalle,  111.,  and  worked  at  shoemaking  there.  He  married  Theresa  Goetzel  in  1862.  She  was  born  in  Austria. 
They  have  seven  children  Lena.  Anna,  Amelia,  William,  Adolpb,  Delia  and  Gerrett.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  He  has  been  in  business  for  himself  since  1864,  carries  a  good  stock  of  boots  and  shoes,  and  makes  to  order 
at  short  notice. 

DR.  FRANKLIN  POTTS,  Physician  and  Surgeon. 

Dr.  Potts  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  1829.  He  moved  to  Putnam  county.  111.,  with  his  parents  in 
1840,  where  they  remained  two  years,  thence  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  went  to  school.  In  1856  he  removed  to 
Iowa,  and  returned  to  Chicago  in  1857.  Re  studied  medicine  in  Richmond,  In<i..  with  his  brother.  Dr.  Albert,  Potts, 
and  commenced  practice  in  Chicago  in  1857.  rte  married  Miss  Jennie  Rench  in  1852.  She  is  a  native  of  Baltimore, 
Md.  They  have  four  children,— Wilber  H.,  Clarence  S.,  Edward  F.  and  Noble  F.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order.  He  has  been  practicing  in  Wenona  since  1868,  from  which  he  has  secured  a  handsome  ineome.  He  practiced 
one  year  in  Magnolia,  Putnam  county,  and  three  years  in  Mendota,  finally  locating  permanently  in  Wenona. 

A.    COHN. 

Mr.  Cohn  was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853,  locating  in  New  York  city.  He  moved 
to  Chicago  in  1857,  and  to  Peoria  in  1859,  where  he  established  a  restaurant.  He  moved  to  Lacon  in  1851  and  went 
into  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  and  in  1862  moved  to  LaSalle.  where  he  carried  on  the  cig«  business  lor  two  yearp, 
and  the  turning  business— which  is  his  trade— for  four  years,  and  in  1867  located  in  Wenona  in  a  saloon,  which  he 
sold  out  in  1869  and  started  a  grocery.  In  '71  he  moved  to  Troy  Grove,  where  he  carried  on  a  grocery  and  dry  goods 


714  BECORDS   OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME/ 

business  one  year,  then  went  to  Chicago,  and  back  to  LaSalle,  returning  to  Wenona  in  1874,  when  he  started  in  the 
saloon  again,  which  he  discontinued  in  1878,  and  opened  a  restaurant.  He  married  Mary  E.  Gerlach  in  1869.  She 
was  born  Germany.  They  have  five  children— Amelia,  Kosetta,  Hermena,  Jennetta  and  Betta.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

MILTON  BAYNE. 

Hr.  Bayne  (of  Bayne  &  Son)  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  came  west  and  located  in  Wood  ford 
county  in  1864,  then  to  LaSalle,  near  Tunica,  the  following  spring,  and  to  Low  Point,  in  Livingston  county,  in  1862. 
where  he  followed  farming,  and  in  1866  went  to  LaSalle  county,  near  Wenona.  He  moved  into  the  village  about 
1872.  He  married  Mifs  Nancy  A.  Carson  in  1851,  who  was  born  in  Adams  connty,  Ohio.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren- James  L.,  William  M..  Louis  H.  and  Charlie  D.  lie  has  been  identified  with  the  Canton  Wrought  Iron 
Bridge  Co.  since  1869.  He  sold  over  65  spans  in  LaSalle  connty,  valued  at  about  $180.000,  and  in  Livingston  county 
about  50  spans,  valued  at  about  $40,000,  besides  other  counties,  which  would  amount  in  valuation  to  $100,000,  or 
$320,000  on  all.  He  is  energetic  in  the  pursuit  of  business,  and  the  bridges  he  puts  up  are  of  the  most  substantial 
kind.  He  is  a  genial  companion  and  a  good  talker,  as  well  as  just  the  man  for  the  place. 

A.  H.  FOWLER. 

Mr.  Fowler  was  born  in  Worcester  county,  Mass..  in  1832.  He  came  west  in  1850,  and  located  in  Putnam 
county,  then  moved  to  Buchanan,  Iowa,  and  returned  to  Illinois  in  1857,  and  located  in  Wenona.  He  enlisted  in 
Co,  H,  104th  111.  Vol.,  and  was  promoted  to  commissary  sargeant  in  1862,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
made  the  march  with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  mustered  out  in  Chicago,  and  returned  to  Wenona  in  1865,  when  he 
commenced  his  present  business.  He  married  Sarah  K .  Mnlkins  in  1865.  She  was  born  in  Oteego  connty.  N.  Y. 
They  have  three  children— Emma  8..  Orie  E.  and  Pauline  E.  He  has  been  in  the  grain  business  since  1865.  His 
place  is  at  Garfield,  LaSalle  connty,  where  he  has  an  elevator  of  25,000  bushels  capacity,  and  one  in  Wenona 
of  15,000  capacity  He  handles  200  000  bushels  annually,  and  likewise  deals  in  coal. 

WILLIAM  HUWALD. 

Mr.  Huwald  was  born  in  Halstine,  Germany,  in  1845.  came  to  the  United  States  in  1865,  located  at  Chicago  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  1867.  He  then  moved  to  Ottawa  and  lived  there  until  1877.  when  he  located  at  Wenona 
and  established  his  present  business,  that  of  a  wagon  and  carriage  maker  and  blacksmith  shop.  He  married  Johan- 
na Seppel  in  1871,  born  in  Saxony.  Germany,  and  they  have  two  children— Charlie  and  Edward.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I,  O.  O.  F.  He  manufactures  all  kinds  of  carriages,  buggies,  and  wagons,  and  does  a  general  blacksmithing 
and  repairing  business. 

NATHANIEL  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  1819.  His  father  was  a  merchant  and  moved  to  Preble  county, 
when  he  was  only  a  tew  months  old.  where  he  lived  some  six  years,  and  then  moved  to  Eokomo,  Ind.,  where  he  lo- 
cated in  1851.  In  1853  he  moved  back  to  Preble  connty,  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  be  continued  until  1855, 
when  he  moved  to  Wenona  and  opened  a  general  store  with  a  Mr.  Newbern,  as  Moore  &  Newbern.  He  engaged  also 
in  shipping  grain.  At  the  end  of  a  year  he  sold  to  8.  J.  Taylor  his  interest  in  the  store,  but  continued  in  the  grain 
trade,  He  owned  a  couple  of  farms,  upon  one  of  which  he  moved  in  the  spring  of  1857,  and  farmed  it  some  six 
years.  He  then  purchased  his  fine  farm  of  200  acres,  adjoining  Wenona,  which  he  improved  and  moved  to  in 
the  spring  of  1863.  This  is  his  home  farm,  to  which  he  has  added  good  home-like  buildings,  his  residence  being 
the  very  picture  of  comfort,  snugly  hid  away  in  the  midst  of  a  fine  grove  of  trees  of  his  own  planting.  His  bams 
and  out  buildings  are  in  accordance  with  the  general  appearance  of  the  rest  of  the  group.  Then  the  towering 
wheel  of  the  wind-mill  which  supplies  water  to  his  house  and  farm,  with  its  well  denned  form  peeping  out  over- 
the  tree  tops,  gives  the  whole  place  a  rich  and  romantic  appearance.  He  married  Julia  Banta  in  the  fall  of  1843* 
born  in  Preble  county,  Ohio.  They  have  six  children  living— George  H .,  J.  M.  W..  Edward  E..  Mary  Francis,  A.  B. 
and  Willis,  Mrs.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  crurch.  He  was  elected  sheriff  in  1864  and  served  two  years.  He 
was  supervisor  of  the  tewnship  several  years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  28th  and  29th  General  Assemblies  of  the  111. 
legislature.  He  was  chosen  executor  in  tha  settlement  of  the  estate  of  Solomon  Wise  in  1862,  and  assignee  of  J,  A. 
McCall  &  Co.,  banker**,  in  1878.  He  is  still  engaged  in  the  latter.  He  is  school  director,  and  has  filled  nearly  all  the 
local  offices  of  his  district.  His  father,  David  Moore,  now  in  his  92d  year,  finds  a  comfortable  home  at  his  house. 

FRANCIS  M.  MYERS. 

Mr.  Myers  is  a  well  known  fruit  grower  and  breeder  of.  short  horn  cattle,  and  son  of  David  Myers .  He  was 
born  in  Roberts  township  in  1835,  obtained  his  education  at  the  University  of  Galesburg,  taught  school  in  various 
places,  and  took  charge  of  his  father's  nnrsrey.  Mr.  Myers,  sr..  planted  the  first  nursery  put  out  in  the  county 
and  is  well  known  all  over  this  part  of  the  state.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Celia  McMorris  in  1960, 
H  native  of  Zanesville,  Ohio.  They  have  one  daughter,  a  promising  young  lady,  their  only  living  child.  He  pur- 
chased the  nucleus  of  his  present  farm,  40  acres,  in  1860  and  commenced  improvements,  moving  on  to  it  in  1862.  His 
first  planting  was  fiye  bushels  of  apple  seeds,  gathered  by  himself,  and  now  grown  into  fine  orchards.  Soon 
after  he  added  to  his  farm  until  he  has,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Wenona,  a  well  equipped  stock  and  fruit 
farm  of  nearly  200  acres.  He  is  gradually  drifting  out  of  the  nursery  business  into  the  more  profitable  and  con- 
genial business,  to  him,  of  raising  fine  stock  and  fruits.  He  has  8  acres  in  strawberries  and  25  acres  in  orchard. 


fclOGRAPHICAL   DEPARTMENT.  715 

with  gome  45  varieties  of  apples,  besides  pears,  cherries,  etc.  He  took  the  first  premium  for  the  greatest  variety  of 
apples  exhibited  by  one  exhibitor  at  the  fair  ot  Wenona.  Also  other  premiums,  including  the  sweepstakes  for  the 
greatest  variety  of  fruits  exhibited.  The  total  value  of  the  prizes  was  over  $50.  He  has  taken  these  prizes  for 
the  last  three  years.  He  also  took  the  first  premium,  of  $100,  for  the  best  erass  herd  exhibited  at  the  fair.  He  has 
now  26  bead  of  short  horn  cattle  on  his  farm  besides  other  stock.  Mr*  Myers  bus  been  a  local  preacher  in  the  M.  E. 
church  since  1867,  and  was  regularly  oidained  by  Bishop  Ayers,  deacon.  Sept.,  1875.  He  is  a  pleasant,  genial  gen- 
tleman, sociable  and  entertaining,  and  takes  pride  in  bis  occupation.  Mrs.  M.  is  equally  endowed  with  the  quali- 
fications necessary  to  fulfill  her  part  in  the  circle  in  which  she  moves. 

JOHNSON  BROWN. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  in  1822  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1842,  and  to  Wenona  in 
1855.  He  married  Miss  Augusta  A.  Reniff  in  1863,  born  in  Massachusetts.  Their  children  are  Clarence  H.,  Lillian 
K..  .Tosliu  and  Sherman  J.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  oldest  son,  Clarence  J..  was  the 
first  white  child  born  in  Wenona.  and  he  himself  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace,  which  position  be  filled  about  8 
years,  and  served  HS  assessor  and  collector  two  years  of  each.  His  wife  has  kept  a  millinery  establishment  since 
1864.  8.  Brown,  his  brother,  who  keeps  a  liveiystabla  in  Wenona,  served  in  the  army  in  com  pan  v  H.  104th  111. 
Volunteers,  having  enlinted  in  1862,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  alderman  in  the  2d  ward.  Is  nerving 
his  second  term.  • 

MRS.  MARY  SIMONSON. 

Mrs.  Simonson  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Jesse  Simoason,  who  died  in  1877.  Both  were  natives  of  Freble  coun  - 
ty.  Ohio,  and  were  married  in  1860.  Mr.  8.  was  brought  np  a  farmer  and  followed  that  occupation  here.  Five 
children  were  given  them— William  C.,  Sarah  E.,  Laura  F.,  David  M.  and  Jesse,  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church.  Mrs.  Simonson  owns  160  acres  of  land  under  good  cultivation. 

J.  N.  WOOD. 

Mr.  Wood  has  long  been  known  as  a  keeper  of  one  of  the  most  popular  hotels  in  the  country.  He  was  born  in 
Weston,  Pa.,  1818  and  moved  to  La  Salle  county  in  1852,  to  Putnam  county  1853  and  to  Marshall  county  in  1854.  He 
lived  in  the  township  when  there  was  but  six  houses  between  the  village  and  his  farm,  six  miles  away.  m  the  vil- 
lage there  was  but  a  few  shanties  and  the  railroad  buildings.  In  1840  he  married  Sarah  J.  Gray,  and  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them-Frances  (Mrs.  Clark),  William.  Nathaniel.  Anna  M.  (Mrs.  Decker),  and  J.  Franklin. 
Has  been  in  the  hotel  business  here  since  1869.  During  the  rebellion  he  enlisted  in  the  104th  and  was  elected  lieu- 
tenant in  company  H.  His  oldest  son  served  in  the  44th  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Wood  has  served  as  al- 
derman and  filled  other  positions'  He  is  genial  and  gentlemanly,  and  keeps  a  first-class  house. 

WILLIAM  C.  DECKER.. 

Mr.  Decker  is  a  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker,  born  in  Orange  county,  New  York,  in  1848.  He  removed 
west  in  1871,  stopping  first  at  Morris,  where  he  had  an  uncle  living.  From  there  he  went  to  Aurora  and  came  to 
Wenona  in  1873  where  he  succeeded  B,  \.  Moore  and  purchased  the  establishment  he  has  since  run.  He  married 
Annie  Wood  in  1874.  Theirchildren  are  Maud  W,  and  Jesse.  He  keeps  a  fine  stock  of  furniture  and  gives  particu- 
lar attention  to  undertaking  in  all  its  branches. 

HUTCHISON  CROFT.     (With  portrait.) 

Mr.  Croft  was  of  English  parentage  on  his  father's  side,  and  was  born  in  Bucks  county.  Pa..  Sept.  7th,  1828 
When  about  seven  years  old,  his  father  moved  to  Clinton  t  ounty,  Ohio,  and  lived  there  until  1844.  Hutchison 
showed  when  a  small  boy  a  stro_.i>  inclination  to  deal  in  and  handle  stock,  and  for  a  boy  bis  judgment  was  remark- 
ably good,  the  faculty  seeming  inborn.  In  1844  bis  father  and  family  moved  to  the  east  end  of  Marshall  county. 
Young  Croft  was  thtn  about  16  years  old.  They  first  lived  in  Evans  township,  but  afterward  located  in  Roberts. 
Tl.e  family  was  poor,  and  when  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  manhood  he  bad  nothing  to  begin  life  with,  and  a  poor  edu- 
cation ;  but  good  judgment  and  an  indomitable  will  enabled  him  to  contend  successfully  with  the  disadvantages  of 
poverty.  When  about  21  yeais  old  he  mariied  Miss  Euphemia  Beckwith,  Dec.  22d,  1849.  They  went  to  housekeep- 
ing in  the  old  log  cabin  on  the  Beckwith  faim.  where  his  wife  ha.i  been  raised  from  infancy.  He  first  took  a  lease 
on  the  widow's  dower  in  the  farm,  and  after  accumulating  some  property  he  bought  the  heirs  out,  and  finally  ac- 
quired full  possession  of  the  farm.  This  place  seemed  to  be  headquarters  for  all  his  trading  operations.  After  he 
had  been  in  business  a  few  years,  farming  and  raising  stock,  he  went  in  partnership  with  John  A.  McCall  and  David 
Adams  in  buying  and  shipping  stock  to  Chicago.  Mr.  Croft  perhaps  bought  and  shipped  more  stock  to  Chicago  than 
any  other  man  in  this  partof  the  state,  as  the  firm  always  relied  on  his  superior  judgment  In  after  years,  when 
business  accumulated  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  necessary  to  establish  a  bank,  the  firm  established  the  old  bank 
of  J.  A.  McCall  &  Co.,  which  did  a  safe  business  as  long  as  Mr.  Croft  remained  one  of  the  firm.  He  accumulated 
wealth  and  bought  farm  after  farm  until  at  his  death  he  h'i-1  the  Dent,  Beepelle,  Loyd,  Phillip,  and  the  McCall  farms, 
near  Magnolia,  in  all  1,200  or  1.400  acres  of  valuable  land.  Of  his  children.  Samuel,  the  oldest  son,  married  a  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  Forbes,  and  lives  on  the  Beepelle  farm;  Mary  Lovina  died  Sept.  1st,  1861,  and  was  buried  in  Cumberland 
cemetery;  Emma  married  John  Kirkpatrick,  and  is  still  living  on  the  farm;  Julia  lately  married  Clark  Sinclair, 
and  is  also  living  on  the  farm;  James,  the  youngest  son,  lives  with  Samuel.  After  Mr.  Croft  had  accumulated 
a  handsome  property,  and  in  the  prime  of  life,  he  was  taken  down  with  the  spinal  disease,  which  rendered  him 


716 


RECORDS   OF   TltE   OLDEN   TIME. 


helpless  and  a  great  sufferer.  He  was  first  taken  down  in  June,  1874,  and  became  paralyzed  below  his  vital  parts. 
He  had  a  strf  tcher  constructed,  covered  with  an  air  bed  and  mounted  on  a  wagon,  and  with  a  driver  he  traveled  in 
this  conveyance  about  the  country,  buying  stock  and  doing  considerable  trading.  After  he  became  an  invalid  he 
sold  out  all  interest  in  the  bank  and  dissolved  his  long-existing  partnership  with  Messrs.  McCall  and  Adams;  his 
friendships  grew  stronger  for  his  neighbors,  and  under  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  Robert  Taylor,  a  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  minister,  he  attached  himself  to  tbatchurch,  receiving  the  rites  at  his  own  home.  He  attended  services 
in  his  invalid  wagon,  which  he  would  have  hauled  up  to  the  church  window,  where  he  could  see  and  hear  the 
preacher.  A  short  time  before  he  died  he  sent  for  bis  old  friend  Thomas  Judd  and  had  him  draw  up  his  last  will 
and  testament  dividing  his  property  between  his  wife  and  children  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  He  died  March  7th, 
1878.  His  remains  were  enclosed  in  a  metallic  case  and  buried  in  Cumberland  cemetery,  on  Sandy,  where  a  splendid 
monument  stands  to  mark  the  last  resting  place  of  a  good  man. 

BINGMAN  SHEPLEY. 

Mr.  Shepley  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky,  in  1830,  and  came  west  in  1831  with  his  parents,  and 
located  in  Indiana.  He  came  to  Marshall  county,  11..  in  1849.  when  he  purchased  the  north-east  >i  section  of  the 
county  of  Marshall,  and  married  Miss  Jane  Hunt  in  1853.  She  was  born  in  Evans  township.  They  hive  seven  chil- 
dren— Frank.  William.  Isabella  and  Arabella  (cwins).  Abraham,  Maggie  and  Jennie.  Are  member-*  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  church.  He  has  been  school  director  twelve  years,  is  a  member  of  the  local  protection  company, 
and  was  overseer  of  the  roads  eight  years. 

J.    M.    TUTTLE. 

Mr.  Tutlle  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  12.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa  .  in  1848,  came  west  in  1866, 
and  settled  in  Evans  township,  Marshall  county.  Two  years  later  he  married  Miss  Eliza  Patterson,  likewise  born  in 
Fayette  county.  Pa.  Theii  three  children  are  Holla.  Wilbert  and  Ooldie.  He  served  in  the  army  as  teamster  at  • 
tacbed  to  the  9th  Maryland,  when  only  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  saw  much  of  the  "  porno  and  circumstance,"  as 
Shakespeare  says,  "of  glorious  war." 

M.  WHITE. 

Mr.  White  is  a  farmar,  living  on  section  1  in  Evans  township,  with  P.  O.  at  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Butler 
county.  Pa.,  in  1829,  came  west  and  located  in  Magnolia.  Putnam  county,  in  1855,  and  moved  on  to  his  present  loca- 
tion in  Osage  township,  section  6,  La  Halle  county,  in  1866.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Mariner  in  1865.  She  was  born 
West  Virginia.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  Mrs.  White  of  the  Christian  church.  He  is  school 
director  and  has  been  for  the  last  six  years. 

WILLIAM  DILLMAN. 

Mr.  Uillman  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  came  to  LaSalle  county,  in  Hope  township,  in 
1845,  along  with  his  father.  He  settled  in  Evans  township  in  1849,  and  married  Miss  Ann  M.  Griffin  the  same  year. 
She  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.  They  have  eight  children  living— Fannie,  Mary,  Ida,  Sadie,  John,  David, 
(Eva,  Ella),  Effie  and  Gertrude.  Are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  He  owns  189  acres,  all 
under  cultivation.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  101th  111.  Vol.,  in  1862,  and  was  discharged  in  1863,  through  disability.  He 
was  captured  at  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  in  1862,  and  paroled  and  exchanged  in  March,  1833. 

LEE  ROY  JUDD. 

Mr.  Judd  is  a  farmer,  living  on  sections.  Postoffice .  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Evans  township,  Marshall 
county,  in  1849,  and  married  Mis?  Louisa  Wilson  in  1867.  She  was  born  in  Ohio.  They  have  three  children— Ellet, 
Delbert  and  Roy.  He  owns  half  of  145  acres,  all  under  cultivation. 

ISAAC  SPRINGER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  Springer,  was  born  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  May  7,  A. 
D.  1798.  When  about  two  yearn  of  age  he  with  his  parentB  moved  to  West  Virginia  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  Grove 
Creek  Hill,  und  there  remained  a  few  years.  He  then  with  his  parents  moved  to  Muskinguro  county,  Ohio,  and 
settled  near  Zanesviile.  Here  he  grew  up  to  manhoud  and  learned  his  trade.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Cowan 
in  1822,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter.  The  son  died  in  infancy,  and  the  daughter.  Mary 
Ann,  is  still  living  and  resides  in  Ohio.  He  buried  his  wire  in  February.  1823.  He  married  Miss  Charlotte  Ijams, 
of  Muskingham  county,  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1826,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  viz.,  Creighton,  Caleb,  Martha 
E.,  Lewis.  Harriet.  Milton  C..  Sarah  E,.  Amelia  R  ,  IMen  L,,  Adelia  A.,  William  Melville  and  Clara  Emma.  Caleb 
died  in  childhood,  and  Martha  E.  died  in  January,  1866  leaving  a  family  behind  her.  All  the  others  are  still  living 
and  reside  in  this  State.  In  the  fall  of  1834  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  spent  the  first  winter  in  a  cabin  where 
Magnolia  is  situated,  and  in  the  following  spring  moved  on  a  farm  owned  by  Mr.  Parks,  east  of  Captain  Haws1, 
and  remained  in  Putnam  county  about  three  years,  and  then  settled  in  Marshall  county,  where  he  resided  most  of 
the  time  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  17.  A.  D.  1853.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  a  first-class  me- 
chanic. He  built  several  of  the  largest  edifices  erected  in  the  county  in  his  time,  among  which  were  Fisher's  Pack- 
ing House  in  Lacon,  and  Livingston  Roberta'  barn  at  Robert's  Point.  He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intel- 
lect, and  endowed  with  a  wonderful  memory,  so  that  notwithstanding  his  early  educational  advantages  were  quite 
limited,  he  made  considerable  progress  in  literary  pursuits,  He  was  a  good  historian,  and  well  read  on  all  the  gen- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  717 

eral  questions  of  the  day .  He  was  one  of  the  finest  mathematicians  in  the  county,  being  able  to  solve  mentally, 
almost  an  incredible  short  time,  all  the  practicable  problems  he  met  with.  He  obtained  an  extensive  knowledge 
of  law,  and  was  considered  superior  counsel  by  those  who  knew  him  best.  He  too*  a  deep  interest  in  the  political 
affairs  of  the  country,  and  was  an  ardent  whig  until  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  f  reeroi',  which  became  one  of 
increasing  interest  to  him  until  hit!  death.  He  was  a  public  spirited  man,  always  advocating  internal  improve- 
ment-, and  willing  to  bear  his  full  share  in  pushing  forward  any  laudable  enterprise.  From  the  early  settlement  of 
this  State  he  foresaw  in  it  the  grandest  commonwealth  of  the  Union,  but  passed  away  as  he  was  entering  upon  the 
realization  of  his  fond  hopes. 

JOHN  A.  COLESON. 

Mr.  Coleson  wax  born  in  Woodford  county,  111.,  in  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Caleb  Coleson,  now  a  resident  of  Kiire 
ka.  111.  In  1878  he  married  Amelia  Clark,  likewise  born  in  Woodford  county.  They  have  one  child,  Frank  Oscar, 
and  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  He  rents  160  acres  of  land  from  his  father,  which  he  cultivates.  He  is  a 
promising  young  farmer,  with  an  unusual  amount  of  perseverance,  and  with  good  health  is  sure  to  succeed. 

H.  C.  WOOLF. 

Mr.  Woolf  was  born  in  Mnskingum  county,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1866,  when  he 
located  in  Evans  township.  In  1866  he  married  Clara  J.  Knowles,  born  in  Ferry  county,  Ohio.  They  have  four 
children— Moe,  Lucie,  Annie  and  Charlie.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr. Woolf  is  road  commissioner 
and  treasurer  of  the  board;  is  also  school  director.  He  owns  130  acres  of  land,  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  raising  thoroughbred  cotswold  sheep,  having  a  number  now  on  hand.  Mr.  Woolf  sees  the  sheep 
interest  of  the  west  is  going  to  be  very  largely  developed,  and  by  making  a  specialty  of  this  fine  breed  ha?  laid  the 
foundation  of  a  fortune  for  himself. 

SAMUEL  KREIDER. 

Mr  Kreider  was  born  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  in  1816,  and  moved  west  with  his  parents  in  1836.  They  set- 
tled in  Fulton  county,  where  he  lived  until  1847,  whence  he  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1849,  and  to  Marshall, where 
he  now  resides,  on  the  last  of  December,  1857.  In  1844  he  married  Katherine  Reed .  She  was  born  in  Park  county, 
Ind.,  and  died  May  26th,  1879.  leaving  four  children— John  R.,  George  W.,  James  A.  and  Wilson  E.  Mrs.  Kreider's 
parents  came  to  Knox  county  in  1836.  Mr.  Kreider  has  been  school  director  16  years  and  path  master  two  years.  He 
owns  120  acres  of  land,  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his  neighborhood.  He  feels  that  he  has  done  his 
share  of  hard  work,  and  having  secured  plenty  of  means,  has  concluded  to  retire  from  farming  and  lead  an  easier 
life. 

SAMUEL  HAMILTON. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  1814,  and  came  to  the  west  in  1863,  purchasing  the  Burns 
farm,  in  Roberts  township,  which  he  sold  to  his  son-in-law.  Mr.  Myers,  in  .1866,  and  moved  to  Wenona.  In  1836  be 
married  Nancy  McMorris,  born  in  London  county,  Va.,  in  1811.  She  died  in  1866.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
them-Celm  in  1837,  William  in  1840.  Lizzie  in  1844,  John  in  1847.  Oscar  (dead),  Frank  in  1852,  and  Hoe  in  1857.  In 
1866  he  married  Mrs.  Harriet  Gray  (Hodman),  born  In  Ohio  in  1822.  They  are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church.  His  son 
John  is  state  senator  from  McLean  county,  and  Frank  is  a  teacher. 

S.  C.  BARRETT. 

Mr  Barrett  is  a  professor  of  vocal  music  and  agent  for  musical  merchandise.  He  was  born  in  Windham  Co. , 
Vermont,  in  1825,  came  west  in  1854  and  located  in  Pntnam  county,  and  in  Wenona  in  1867.  In  1852  he  married  Miss 
M.  A.  Glasier,  a  native  of  the  same  county  as  himself.  They  have  four  children, — Mary  E.,  Mattie  A.,  Cora  E,  and 
Newton  G.  They  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  Mr.  Barrett  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  has  been 
engaged  in  teaching  vocal  music  since  1848,  has  taught  all  over  this  part  of  the  country,  and  thousands  of  the  sing- 
ers of  this  state  have  been  trained  under  him. 

NORMAN  B.  JUDD.  . 

Mr  Judd  was  born  in  Evans  township  in  1851,  and  in  1871  married  Charlotte  Stratton,  a  native  of  Indiana. 
They  have  two  children,  William  O.  and  Ethel  May.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  Grange  and  of  the  local  protec- 
tion society,  and  is  one  of  those  whole-souled  gentlemen  who  make  it  pleasant  for  all  around  them.  He  has  a  most 
interesting  family.  Mrs.  Judd  is  a  lady  of  rare  qualifications,  possessing  great  social  worth. 

SAMUEL  D.   CLIFFORD. 

Mr  Clifford  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  resides  on  section  11.  He  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio.  Dec. 
21st,  1834,  and  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1853.  October  29th.  1863,  h«  married  Sarah  E.  Hoyt,  who  was  born  in 
this  county.  They  have  four  children— Laslie,  Anita,  Host  and  James  8.  Mr.  Clifford  is  school  director.  He  owns 
80  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  comfortable  improvements.  He  is  a  pleasant  and  sociable 
gentleman . 

J.  B.  SKINNER. 

This  gentleman,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Skinner  &  Co.,  tile  manufacturers,  of  Wenona,  was  born  in  Preble 
county,  Ohio,  in  1833,  and  came  to  Wenona  in  1877.  In  1866  he  married  Susan  Felton,  who  was  also  bom  in  Ohio. 


718  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

They  have  one  child,  Anderson.    Mrs.  Skinner  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E  church.    He  has  been  in  the  tile  business 
since  1877.    They  manufacture  all  sizes  necessary,  and  keep  them  on  hand  ut  all  times.    They  are  now  selling— 
2Wincb, $12  per  1,0*10 

3  "       15 

SH  "  18  " 

4  "  20  " 

5  "  30  " 

6  "  40  " 

Few  farmers  fully  appreciate  the  advantage  of  under  drainage.  It  will  pay  for  all  the  expenses  of  tile  and 
labor  in  the  increase  of  crops,  besides  rendering  the  swamp  land  the  most  productive. 

ISAAC  Pj  HOWARD. 

Mr.  Howard  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  12,  Evans  township.  Postoffice,  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Mount 
Pleasant,  Jefferson  county,  Ouio,  in  1824,  and  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1851.  He  married  Hiss  Rebecca  Wilson 
.  in  1853.  She  was  born  in  Belraont  county,  Ohio.  They  have  six  children  -  Mary  Ida.  Lewella  J.,  Hattie  It..  Henrv 
W.,  John  M.  and  Delbert  J.  Are  members  of  the  Quaker  church.  Mr.  Howard  has  been  school  director  several 
years.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation,  With  good  improvements.  He  possesses  a  generous  nature 
and  is  a  good  farmer. 

W.  M.  SPRINGER. 

Mr.  Springer  comes  from  a  noted  family,  and  was  born  in  Marshall  county  in  1849.  He  married  Miss  Mary 
Angcline  heece  in  1877.  She  wa*  born  in  Knox  county.  111.  They  have  one  child,  Frederick  B..  born  May  28, 187S. 
Mrs.  8.  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  is  township  trustee.  He  cultivates  250  acres  of  land,  and  is 
a  son  of  the  late  Isaac  Springer,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  this  county,  an  extended  notice  of  whom  is  given  else- 
where. He  is  engaged  in  breeding  short-horn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs. 

JACOB  KEMP. 

Mr.  Kemp  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in  1821,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1866.  He  married  Miss 
Sarah  Parnell  in  1843.  She  died  in  1852,  leaving  four  children  living— Nicholas  M..  Sarah  M.,  Mariam  E.  and 
Thomas.  He  married  Miss  Catherine  Brown  in  1853.  She  died  in  1867,  leaving  three  children— James  b. .  Laura  and 
Jacette.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Dillinner  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  Green  county.  Pa  They  have  four  children- 
Ambrose,  Anna  Bell.  Jacob  Ecra  and  Emma.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  also  of  the  temperance  society.  He  owns  80  acres  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  township  col- 
lector one  year,  and  served  as  school  director  twelve  years.  Never  served  as  a  juror,  nor  gave  evidence  as  a  witness, 
which  shows  him  to  be  a  man  of  peace. 

WILLIAM  EVANS. 

Mr.  Evans  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  December  31st,  1817,  and  came  to  this  county  (then  Tazewell) 
with  his  parents  in  the  fall  of  1830.  In  1849  he  married  Martha  Springer,  who  was  born  in  Muskingum  county.  O., 
and  four  children  have  been  given  them,  viz.:  Elizabeth.  Douglas,  John  F.  and  Lucy-  Mrs.  Evans  died  in  1866. 
Are  members  of  M.  E.  church.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  some  seven  years,  served  as  school  trustee  some  25 
years,  and  filled  other  local  offices.  He  owns  320  acres  of  land,  all  improved,  with  good  buildings.  He  i*  the  oldest 
living  settler  in  the  township  of  Evans.  A  more  extended  notice  of  the  family  is  given  elsewhere. 

MICHAEL  MARTIN. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  in  1826,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1847.  He  married 
Miss  Bridget  McDonald  in  1857 .  She  was  born  in  the  same  county  in  Ireland.  They  have  no  children..  Are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  good  improvements:  is 
hard-working  and  knows  how  to  make  money. 

J.  FRAZEE. 

Farmer.    Section  27.    Postomee,  Wenona. 

RICHARD  BURROUGHS. 

Mr.  Burroughs  was  bom  in  County  Kilkenny,  Ireland,  in  1820.  came  to  the  United  states  in  1852,  and  located 
in  the  New  York,  where  he  lived  eleven  years.  In  1861  he  determined  to  go  west,  and  came  to  Marthill  county  Il- 
linois. He  married  Johanna  Qninn  in  1846.  She  was  a  native  of  the  same  place.  She  died  March  27, 1879.  leaving 
three  children — Margaret.  Edward  and  Mary  Ann.  Thev  are  Catholics.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  and  is  a  good 
substantial  farmer.  Mr.  B.  is  indebted  to  his  own  industry  for  his  success.  He  has  raised  a  family  of  intelligent 
boys  and  girls,  is  proud  of  his  adopted  country,  and  deserves  his  good  fortune. 

ZERA  P.  BECKWITH. 

Mr.  Beckwith  was  born  in  Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1815*  He  came  to  Indiana  with  his  parent*  the  following 
year,  and  lived  there  until  1835,  helping  to  clear  up  and  open  a  farm.  In  the  year  above  named  he  came  to  Marshall 
county,  and  in  1837  married  Mary  A.  Gavlord.  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  five  children.— Putnam,  Albert, 
Orin,  Emma  (Ball),  and  Clara.  They  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Beckwith  was  justice  of  the  peace 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  719 

four  years,  school  director  and  constable  eight  years.  He  owns  170  acres,  all  under  cultivation.  He  enlisted  in  Co. 
H.  104th  111.  Inf.  in  1862,  as  musician,  and  served  until  1863.  when  he  was  mustered  out,  owing  to  disability  contract- 
ed in  the  service.  He  lost  one  son,  Lwndias,  who  died  of  disease  in  the  army.  His  oldest  living  son,  Putnam,  serv- 
ed nntil  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  wounded  at  Lexington,  Mo.,  in  1861,  and  captured  there  with  Col.  James  A.  Mul- 
ligan. When  exchanged  he  re-entered  the  service. 

ROBERT  HENRY. 

Mr.  Henry  is  a  large  farmer,  living  on  section  '£>,  Evans  township.  Postofflce,  Wenona.  He  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  county.  Pa  ,  in  1816,  and  moved  to  Ohio  with  his  parent?  in  1820  They  located  in  Harrison  county, 
where  he  lived  until  1813,  and  then  went  back  to  Washington  county,  Pa.  He  came  to  Marshall  county,  111.,  Dec., 
1061.  He  married  Mary  Hathaway  in  1863,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  She  had  two  children  by  a  former  marriagre — 
David  L.  and  William  A.  Smith.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  member  of  the  U.  P.  church.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church.  He  was  assessor  and  road  commissioner  several  years.  He  owns  166  acres  of  land,  all  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation. 

JOSEPH  REYNOLDS. 

Mr.  Reynolds  was  bora  in  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  in  1834,  and  located  in  Putnam  county.  111,,  in  1845.  He 
moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1858.  and  married  Miss  Emily  Anderson  the  same  year.  She  was  born  also  in  Franklin 
connty.  Mass,  They  have  two  children— Charles  A.,  16;  and  Ella  May,  8.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
engaged  in  the  purchase  aud  sale  of  grain,  hogs,  cattle,  etc.,  of  which  he  handles  large  Quantities.  His  elevator  at 
Kvans  has  a  capacity  of  8  000  bushels.  Shipments  are  made  to  Chicago. 

ANDREW  J.  BISHOP. 

Mr.  Bit-hop  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  ia  1830.  and  came  west  in  1853,  locating  first  in  Putnam 
Co.,  where  he  married  Eliza  J.  Champ  the  same  year.  She  was  born  in  Hennepin.  They  have  4  children — Gharles 
VV.,  Mary  E..  Lydia  L.  and  Lyman  H.  Thay  are  members  of  M.  E.  church.  He  has  been  school  director  some  eight 
years,  and  o«ns  eighty  acres  of  land  under  goad  cultivation,  and  with  good  Improvements. 

EDWARD  CLIFFORD. 

Mr.  Clifford  was  born  in  Brook  connty,  Virginia,  in  1806.  He  moved  to  Harrison  connty.  Ohio,  with  his  par- 
ents in  lull,  and  married  Miss  Rebecca  Dunlap  in  1831.  She  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  in  1807.  They 
liave  six  children  living— Sarah  (Mrs.  Phillip).  Nancy,  Samuel  D.,  Martha  J.  (Mrs,  Dunlap),  Margaret  and  Susan 
(VIrs.  Hamilton).  Are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church.  He  was  road  commissioner  six  years,  He  owns  336  acres  in 
his  homestead,  all  improved.  Mr.  Clifford  was  an  early  settler  in  the  township,  and  by  his  own  exertions  has  grown 
to  wealth  and  the  possessorship  of  one  of  the  finest  forms  in  the  township. 

JOHN  ALGOE. 

Mr.  Algoe  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  32.  He  was  born  in  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  in  1826,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1846.  locating  in  Marshall  county.  He  married  Miss  Ann  Boyd  in  1856,  a  native  of  the  same  county 
in  Ireland  as  himself.  They  have  two  children,  George  and  Martha  J.  They  are  members  of  the  U.  P.  chnrch.  He 
owns  80  acn  s  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  is  a  public-spirited,  liberal  man. 

F.     H.    HOLETON. 

Mr.  Holeton  was  born  in  Muskingum  connty.  Ohio,  in  1819,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1857.  He  married 
Hannah  Cockerel  previous  to  coming  to  this  county.  She  was  born  in  London  county  Va.  They  have  two  children, 
James  W.  and  George  H.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  has  been  road  commissioner  and  school  trustee, 
and  was  postmaster  at  Evans  station  nearly  two  years.  Mr.  Holeton  owns  a  very  fine  property  near  the  station,  and 
his  farm  is  one  of  the  best  on  the  prairie.  He  is  well  posted  in  all  the  affairs  of  the  day,  has  a  plenty  of  this  world's 
goods,  and  takes  the  world  easy.  One  of  his  sons  is  publisher  of  the  Chillicothe  REVIEW. 

JOSHUA  EVANS. 

Mr.  Evans  was  born  in  London  county,  Virginia,  Jan.  5th,  1793.  When  he  was  about  eight  years  old,  his  father 
Thomas  Evans,  died,  leaving  his  mother,  Rhoda,  a  widow  with  eijtht  children  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  the  eldest 
of  whom  was  not  over  sixteen  years  old.  A  tract  of  land  was  owned  by  the  family,  but  very  little  had  been  done 
in  the  way  of  clearing  off  the  heavy  timber  that  covered  it,  and  when  cleared  the  soil  was  sterile.  In  1803  the  wid- 
ow abandoned  the  Virginia  home,  not  having  brtuable  to  effect  any  sale,  and  removed  with  her  family  to  Ljpking 
county,  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  19  Jushua  enlisted  in  the  army  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812-13.  He  belonged  to  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Lewis  Caas  and  during  the  latter  part  of  the  war  served  as  quartermaster.  He  wan  among 
the  unfortunate  victim*  of  Gen,  Hull's  treacherous  and  cowardly  surrender,  and  could  never  refer  to  that  incident 
of  the  war  without  expressing  his  indignation  In  1816  he  was  married  to  Elizibeth  Ridcliff,  by  whom  he  had  three 
sons  and  six  daughters.  His  three  sons,  William,  Albert  and  Rev.  J.  G.,  tire  still  living,  and  now  reside  in  Evans 
township.  Three  of  the  daughters  grew  to  womanhood  and  are  still  living.  The  eldest ,  Mrs  Alexander,  resides  in 
Magnolia,  Putnam  county,  one  in  Nebraska,  and  the  third  in  Michigan.  In  1824  Mr.  Evans  joined  the  M.  E.  church 
of  which  he  remained  a  member  until  his  death,  and  most  of  the  time  held  some  official  relation  in  the  church. 
In  1830  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  at  Cherry  Point,  then  in  La  Salle  county.  His  undoubted  and  unques- 


720  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

tionable  veracity  won  the  confidence  of  his  neighbors  among  whom  he  always  maintained  a  high  standing.  He 
had  no  advantages  for  an  education,  his  entire  school  privilege1!  extending  through  only  a  part  of  on«  winter.  He 
WHS,  however,  a  man  of  very  sound  judgement  and  was  very  accurate  in  bin  business.  His  memory  was  unusually 
irood,  and  he  read  men  BO  readily  that  he  was  not  often  deceived.  He  was  industrious  and  economical,  and  was 
among  the  beat  of  the  early  farmers  in  Evans  township.  He  settled  at  Cherry  Point  because  he  thought  the  prai- 
ries around  the  grove  would  not  be  settled  for  many  generations  an  i  his  descendents  could  'have  ample  range  for 
their  stock,  but  he  lived  to  sec  every  quarter  section  for  many  miles  from  his  residence  occupied.  He  wax  very 
accomdating  to  those  who  he  thought  deserved  help,and  determined  that  question  wholly  by  the  answer  to  two  inqui- 
ries. Is  be  honest?  Will  he  work?  If  he  thougnt  a  man  to  be  lazy  or  dishonest  he  would  give  him  neither  sym- 
pathy nor  assistance  in  any  way, but  if  he  believed  him  honest  and  industrious  he  was  always  ready  to  accommodate. 
He  was  for  many  years  before  his  death  the  oldest  settler  in  the  township  and  was  honored  as  suc'i  by  his  neigh- 
bors. In  1860  when  the  township  organizatior  in  Marshall  county  was  effected,  the  people  at  a  public  meeting, 
chose  the  name  of  Evans  for  the  town  as  a  compliment  to  him  In  politics  he  was  an  ar.lcnt  whig  and  usually  took 
an  active  interest  in  the  political  campaigns.  He  was  one  of  the  delegates  from  Marshall  county  to  the  senatorial 
convention  at  which  Robert  Boat  was  nominated  for  the  state  senate'  When  the  Whig  party  was  abandoned  he 
became  a  Republican  and  voted  that  ticket  until  his  death.  He  was  widely  and  favorably  known  among  th"  early 
settlers  of  this  and  surrounding  counties.  In  1853  Mr.  Evans  married  Mrs.  Elizibeth  Jones,  by  whom  he  had  one 
child,  now  Mrs.  Brown,  a  resident  of  this  township.  He  died  January  15th,  1869. 

WILLIAM  TRIMBLE. 

Mr.  Trimble  is  a  well  to  do  farmer,  who  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa,,  in  1839.  He  came  to  this  county  less 
than  one  year  ago  and  commenced  housekeeping,  having  just  married  Dilinda  Hill.  Sne  was  born  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. He  owns  80  acres  of  excellent  farming  land. 

WILLIAM  S.  WOOD, 

Farmer,  La  Salle  county,  postoffice,  Wenona,  111. 

LEVI    M.    QUAINTANCE. 

Mr.  Qnaintance  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  2.  Postoffice,  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Cnester  county.  Pa.,  in 
1818,  came  west  in  1864  and  located  first  in  Magnolia.  Putnam  county,  and  in  this  county  in  1861.  In  1844  he  married 
Catherine  Bren,  born  in  Maryland.  They  have  three  children  living — Thomas  D.,  Sarah  J.  and  Levi  ^atson,  and 
two  deceased.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  was  school  director  eight  years.  He  owns  113  acres 
of  land,  all  under  cultivation. 

EDWIN  GANTS. 

Mr.  Gants  is  a  son  of  Nathinieland  Nancy  Gants,  The  latter  is  a  sister  of  the  well  known  Judd  Bros.,  of 
Evans  township.  Nathaniel  Gants  was  born  in  Pennsylvaria  Jan.  17th,  1820,  came  to  Illinois  in  1844,  and  was  mar- 
ried Dec.  31st,  1847.  They  have  four  children— I  homas,  born  May  19,1849  Edwin,  born  Nov.  19, 1852,  Emma,  born 
March  19, 1854,  and  Preston,  born  July  29,  1856.  Edwin  lives  in  Evans  township,  and  in  April,  1879,  married  May 
Disosway,  born  in  Virginia.  They  have  one  child  M-trk  Edwin.  Mr  Qants  isamember  of  the  Masouic  order,  and 
owns  100  acres  of  land. 

WILLIAM  H.  PARKINSON. 

Mr.  Parkinson  was  born  in  Licking  county,  O.,  in  1841.  He  came  to  La  Salle  county.  111.,  in  1856,  and  to  Mar- 
shall county  in  1864.  He  married  Isabella  Gibson,  born  in  Marshall  county,  in  1865,  They  have  four  chilren — Lucy 
J.,  James  W.,  Edgar  and  Mary.  Mi.  Parkinson  isa  f/iir  representative  of  the  gentleman  farmer  class  of  .Marshall 
and  Putnam  counties,  both  in  appearance  and  intelligence,  which  is  above  the  average  of  other  states.  He  owns  160 
acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation. 

BENJAMIN  WILSON. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  born  in  Franklin  county  in  1826.  and  came  west  in  1836  and  located  with  his  parents  in  Cherry 
Grove,  Belle  Plain  township,  Marshall  county.  Here  his  father  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  there  was  an  old  log 
hut  with  the  roof  rtartially  off  and  grass  growing  on  the  floor.  They  lived  in  it  ten  years.  His  father  loaned  out 
money  to  his  neighbors  that  year,  and  the  hard  timts  of  1837  coming  on.  he  could  not  get  it  back,  to  build.  Ben- 
jamin married  Margaret  A.  Cunningham  in  1855,  a  native  of  Fayette  county,  Ohio..  They  have  three  children,  8. 
Thomas.  George  E.  and  William  II.  They  are  consistent  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Wilson  was  justice  of 
the  peace  20  years  in  Belle  Blain,  also  school  director  and  trustee  several  years,  He  owns  320  acres  of  land  in  Ford 
county  and  150  acres  in  Vermillion  county,  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a  pleasant,  sociable  gentleman, 
and  a  good  friend  aud  neighbor. 

KEV.  JARVICE  G.  EVANS,  A.  M. 

Mr.  Evans,  pastor  of  the  M.  E.  church  at  Wenona,  was  born  in  Evans  township,  Marshall  county,  Dec.  19, 1833, 
and  received  bis  education  at  the  Peoria  Wesleyan  Seminary,  Judson  College,  Mt.  Pa'a'ine,  and  at  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan  University,  and  rbceived  his  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Quincy  College  in  1870.  He  commenced  preaching  in  1854. 
Continued  in  the  pastorate  until  1872,  and  was  then  elected  president  of  Hedding  College,  at  Abingdon,  III.,  and  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  721 

1878  was  elected  president  of  ('haddock  College,  Quinoy.  He  resigned  daring  the  year  and  returned  to  the  pastorate. 
He  married  Nettie  Gardner  June  14  1857,  born  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio.  The  have  one  cHld  living,  Ida.  and  one 
son  deceased.  Miss  Evans  is  now  a  teacher  of  Latin  in  the  Streator  high  school.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Bedding 
College.  He  has  published  a  number  of  lectures  and  sermons  in  pamphlet  form,  including  '  Pulpit  and  Politics," 
"  Tobacco."  "Thanksgiving  Discourse,"  "Funeral  Sermon  of  Lincoln,"  and  several  others.  He  has  served  as  secre- 
tary of  Central  111.  annual  Conference  for  several  years,  and  was,  in  1876,  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference, 
Baltimore. 

AUGUST  APPLETON. 

Mr.  Appleton  is  a  farmer  living  in  Evans  township,  section  85.  and  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1846.  came  to 
Iho  United  States  in  1868.  and  located  in  1'ntnam  county,  where  he  marriedjMatildp.  Colson  in  1879.  She' waft  born  in 
t  veden,  He  rente  160  acres.  Like  most  of  his  countrymen  Mr.  appleton  is  a  good  farmer,  industrious  and 
hardworking.  These  are  the  elements  of  success  and  lead  to  riches  and  honor. 

PORTER  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Brown  rounty,Ohio,1846  and  came  to  La  Salle  county  in  1856  with  his  parents.  Married 
Marth  i  Grimes  in  1867,  born  in  Indiana.  They  have  six  children—  Bessie  L.,  Maud  May,  Kittie,  Fletcher  P.,  Mat- 
tie  and  Edna.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grange.  He  has  been  in  tb«  short  horn 
cattle  business  for  the  last  ten  jears,  and  is  now  engaged  in  raising  Holstein  stock,  the  only  one  in  this  section  of 
the  country.  He  also  carries  on  a  meat  market  in  Wenona.  the  Holstein  j  breed  have  many  points  of  excellence 
and  are  destined  to  become  great  favorites  and  in  corresponding  demand. 

FRANCIS  H.  BOND. 

Mr.  Bond  was  born  in  Worcester  county.  Mass,,  in  1821  and  came  west  in  1846  where  he  became  a  very  success- 
ful teacher.  Choosing  law  as  a  profession  he  qualified  himself  for  its  practice,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1861, 
and  has  followed  it  successfully  ever  since.  He  married  Lucy  Broaddusjin  1848,born  in  Virginia.  They  have  bad  one 
child  which  no  longer  survives.  Mr.  Bond  has  been  city  attorney*,  town  clerk,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
for  many  years.  He  is  likewise  real  estate  agent  and  can  give  valuable  information  to  buyers  or  sellers. 

HENRY  WINTER. 

Mr.  Winter  in  a  farmerjliving  on  section  17,  Evans  township,  and  was  born  in  Ottawa,  LttfSalle  county.  111.,  in 
1856.  Moved  to  this  county  in  1877  and  married  Florence  Wilson  Feb.  9, 1879.  s he  was  born  in  1858  on  the  farm 
she  is  now  occupying  with  her  husband.  He  is  a  very  industrious  young  man, posses.su  1  of  all  the  vim  and  go-ahend- 
ativeness  reauired  to  make  him  a  successful  man  of  the  world.  Commencing  early  in  lite,  he  and  his  young  wife 
have  bright  prospects  before  them.  May  they  continue  to  brighten.  While  providing  for  the  wants  of  the  body  he 
does  not  neglect  the  mind, 

ROBERT  MANN. 

Mr.  Mann  (was  born  lin  Roxburyshire,  Scotland,  in  1846,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  20  years  old 
and  located  in  this  township.  He  married  anna  Alexander  in  1870,  born  in  the  house  she  is  now  living  in.  They 
have  two  children  -Wilbur  and  Isabella,  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  engaged  in  breeding  short 
horn  cattle  of  superior  grades,  and  fine  horses.  He  owns  the  celebrated  horse,  Silver  Wave,  bred  in  Kentucky  and 
said  to  be  the  finest  roadster  in  Marshall  county.  He  runs  his  farm  exclusively  as  a  stock  farm,  known  as  the  '•old 
Furt  stock  farm  "  His  cattle  are  all  sired  by  thoroughbred  bulls.  His  farm  is  the  site  of  the  old  fort. 
. 

AUSTIN  C.  GARVIN. 

Mr,  Garvin  was  born  in  Monroe  county.  Indiana,  October  4, 1815,  and  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1849,  with 
his  mother.  He  married  Eliz*  Simmons  in  1868,  born  in  Maryland.  They  have  three  children— Clara  E.,  Bertha 
and  Austin  C.  He  is  school  director,  and  owns  1  7  acresof  land  which  be  cultivates  in  good  style.  Mr.  Garvin  is  a 
gentleman  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet.  He  is  kind,  hospitable  and  courteous. 

DAVID  M.  HALL. 

Mr-Hall  is  a  farmer  living  on  sections  2  and  11, Evans  township.  Postoffice.  Wenona,  111.  He  was  born  in  Fayette 
county.  Pa.,  in  1837,  and  locited  in  this  county  in  1861.  Married  Elizabeth  Smith  in  1S65,  born  in  the  same  county. 
She  died  in  1868  leaving  two  children— Robert  and  Will  Emmett.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Augusta  Jones,  in 
1869,  born  in  this  county.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them— Susie,  Kittie,  Jusie  and  Rubby.  He  owns  248 
acres,  all  under  cultivation.  His  wife's  father,  Mr.  D.  Jones,  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  this  county. 

G.  W.  GRAY. 

Mr.  Gray  was  born  in  Mupkingnm  county,  near  Zanesville,  Ohio,  in  1817,  and  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in 
Putnam  county,  near  Magnolia,  in  1845,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Miss  Juliann  Wilber,  Feb.  4, 
1837.  She  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  died  July  12. 1877.  They  had  five  children  -  Thomas  Ligget,  died  in  the 
army  from  disease  contracted  there,  Ageline,  George  W.  Jr.,  William  H.  Charles,  Wesley  and  Msry  B.  His  present 
wife,  Elizabeth  Conard,  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  1833.  They  were  married  in  May,  1878.  Are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  was  assessor  in  Groveland  township,  LaSalle  county,  the  first  time  it  was  assessed ; 


722  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

was  school  director  and  trustee  several  terms.    He  issteward  of  his  church,  ami  has  been  a  member  some  40  years, 
Mrs.  Gray  has  also  been  A  member  of  the  M.  E.  church  since  childhood. 

A.  BECKWORTII. 

Mr.  Eeckworth  was  born  in  Onondaga  county.  New  York,  in  1812,  He  came  west  with  liislparerita  and  located 
in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  in  1816.  and  came  to  this  county  in  1835.  He  learned  the  trade  of  bricklaying  and 
plastering  in  Cincinnati  in  1832.  and  worked  at  it  up  to  1859.  when  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Stephens  township. 
He  married  Miss  Margaret  Gilmore  in  1861,  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in  1840.  They  have  three  children  living — 
Otto  Q.  Oreon  E.  and  Omar  8.  Are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  They  moved  into  Wenon*  in  1869.  He  owns 
400  acres  of  land  in  Livingston  county,  under  good  cultivation,  and  has  a  residence  in  Wenona. 

THOMAS  REILLY. 

Mr.  Reilly  was  born  in  County  Cavan.  Ireland,  in  1827.  He  removed  to  England  in  1847,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1862,  settling  in  this  county.  In  1861  he  married  Mary  Martin,  from  his  native  place,  who  died  in 
1869,  leaving  him  three  children  In  1870  he  married  Miss  Maggie  Breese.  She  was  born  in  County  Kerry,  Ire- 
land. They  have  four  children — Annie,  Thomas,  Henry  and  Maggie,  and  by  his  first  wife — Katie,  John  and  Mattie. 
Are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  has  been  school  director  for  the  last  ten  years,  and  owns  240  acres,  all 
nnder  cultivation. 

EDWARD  S.  GOULD. 

Mr.  Gould  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York  in  1832.  bis  parents  moving  to  Detroit  when  be  was  five  years 
old,  where  he  obtained  an  education,  and  he  became  a  bricklayer.  In  1852  he  wedded  Lotta  Castello,  also  born  in 
New  York,  who  bore  him  one  child— Ella  E.,  born  December  5, 1853.  This  daughter  grew  up  and  wedded  William 
H,  Farrett  They  have  one  child  and  its  name  is  Bessie.  Mr.  Ctould  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

CHARLES  H.  TURNER. 

Mr.  Turner  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  and  came  west  in  1858.  He  first  located  in  Clay  county.  111,,  and 
moved  to  LaSolle  county  in  1859.  He  married  Sarah  J.  Quaintance  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  They 
have  three  children— John  W.,  Hattie  and  Irene.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  a  good  and  industrious 
farmer  working  on  rented  land. 

ALFRED  JUDD. 

Mr.  Judd  is  a  farmer  (bachelor),  living  on  section  6.  Postoffice,  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in 
1822.  He  came  to  this  county  (then  Pntnam)  in  1831,  with  his  parents.  After  his  father's  death,  his  devotion  to  his 
widowed  mother  bound  him  to  her  whilst  she  lived,  to  whom  he  gave  his  undivided  attention  up  to  the  time  of  her 
death,  a  few  months  ago.  Hence  he  has  never  married.  He  owns  725  acres  of  land  in  a  prosperous  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. Be  is  a  pleasant,  social  gentleman. 

MRS.    GlLLEY    COWEN. 

Mrs.  Cowen  is  widow  of  William  Cowen,  who  was  born  near  Hagerstown,  Md.,  in  1798,  and  emigrated  to  Ohio 
at  an  early  day.  Be  died  in  1863  She  was  born  in  Monongabela  county,  Va.,  in  1805,  moved  with  her  parents  to 
Ohio  in  1808.  and  married  in  1824.  She  has  had  seven  children— Hermil,  Cynthia  (Mrs.  Letts),  Minerva  (deceased), 
Lucinda  (Mrs.  Morse),  Robert  a.,  Isabella  (deceased),  Theresa  and  Zilpha.  Malvina  (Mrs.  Stevenson),  WUliam, 
Delbert  and  John  (deceased).  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E  church.  Mrs.  Cowen  cornea  from  the  Dents,  wnd  ip 
a  cousin  of  John  O.  Dent.  They  moved  to  Putnam  county  in  1831.  Daring  the  Black  Hawk  war  Mr.  Cuwen  was  a 
soldier  under  Colonel  Stiawn. 

F.  A.  PACKINGHAM. 

Mr.  Packingham  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Pa.,  in  1888,  and  began  business  as  a  merchant  at  Evans  in  1876. 
He  married  Nancy  Burgess  in  1877,  born  in  Connecticut.  They  attend  the  M.  E.  church.  He  was  appointed  post- 
master in  1876,  express  agent  in  1877,  and  station  agent  in  1879.  He  enlisted  in  company  F.  53d  111.  Volunteers  in 
1862  and  served  until  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  1865,  He  was  detailed  in  the  Military  Telegraph  Corps  as 
mounted  orderly  during  1864  5. 

DAVID  MOORE. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1813,  and  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  two  years  old.  He  mar- 
ried Anna  Borradail  in  1836,  born  near  Bennington.  N.  J.  They  had  five  children — Rebecca  B.  (deceased),  Arthur, 
(deceased),  Mary,  Elizabeth  (McAdanis),  Martha  T.  (deceased),  and  Anna.  Arthur  was  a  member  of  Capt. Vaughn's 
company  and  died  at  Bolivar,  Tenn,,  in  1833.  He  was  a  good  soldier  and  much  respected.  Mr.  Moore  owns  206 
acres  of  well  improved  land. 

MRS.  LUCY  GIBSON,  (widow.) 

Mrs.  Gibson  (Gaylord)  was  born  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  in  1803  and  came  to  this  township,  then  a  part  of  La 
Salle  county,  in  1831,  removing  to  her  prt  sent  homestead  in  1833  or  1834.  She  married  Qeorge  Martin  in  1833,  a  na- 
tive of  Connecticut,  who  located  in  this  neighborhood  in  1830.  He  died  in  1838  leaving  two  children— iaron  G.  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  723 

Sylvia  A.  (Kirkpatrick).  She  married  her  second  husband.  James  Gibson,  in  1842.  He  was  born  in  Fifshire,  Scot- 
land, He  died  in  1855  leaving  two  children— Isabel  and  James.  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick's  husband  died  in  1862  in  the 
army,  of  disease  contracted  there.  Mrs.  Gibson  has  200  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation.  She  is  believed  to  be 
the 'oldest  pettier  in  Evans  township.  She  remembers  when  the  family  were  notified  to  pack  up  and  getaway 
from  the  Indians  during  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Lemuel  Gaylord,  her  father,  was  one  of  the  Revolutionary  soldiers, 
and  was  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  He  was  retained  in  the  service  for  a  year  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution. 
He  helped  to  hanl  away  the  cannon  captured  from  the  British  army.  He  died  at  the  age  of  89  years  and  was  buried 
in  the  Cumberland  cemetery  near  the  house  of  Mrs.  Gibson  in  this  township. 

C.  P.  MORGAN. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  and  removed  west  in  1853.  and  located  in  La  Salle 
county  where  he  lived  until  1866  and  then  came  to  Evans  township.  He  married  America  DilJman  in  1855.  She 
was  born  in  in  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  and  they  have  eighi  children— Mary  E.,  Adeline,  Mattie,  Jesse,  Frank  Marcus 
P.,  America  and  Clara.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  of  the  Grange.  He  has  been  school  director  six 
years  snd  owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivaion,  with  good  buildings. 

WILLIAM  T.  HAMILTON. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  born  in  Union  county,  O.,  in  1840.  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1854,  residing  in  Roberts 
township  with  his  parents  on  the  Bums  farm  and  in  Evans  township  until  1867.  He  married  Susan  Clifford  in  1862. 
She  was  born  in  Harrison  county.  Ohio.  They  have  four  children— Luetta,  John  F.,  James  E.-and  Samuel  O.  Are 
members  of  the  PresbyUrian  church.  He  is  an  elder  in  the  church.  lie  served  two  years  as  sheriff  pro  tern,  fill- 
ign  the  place  with  entire  acceptability.  He  is  directing  his  attention  to  raising  graded  cattle,  Cotswold  sheep  and 
nne  horses. 

BENJAMIN  F.  TURNER. 

Mr.  Turner  lives  on  section  21,  Evans  township,  and  was  born  in  Mnskingnm  county,  Ohio,  in  1825.  He  came 
to  Magnolia  in  the  spring  of  1845  and  purchased  his  present  farm  in  1856.  He  married  Hannah  L.  Miller  in  1850, 
born  in  Stubenville,  Ohio,  1830.  They  have  six  children— William  E.,  born  Sept.l,  1851,  M*rtin  M.  Dec.  8.  1853,  Ar- 
thur L.,  March  22,  1856,  Charles  M.,  Got,  27,  I860,  Huldah  J.,  July  6, 1863.  Estella  M.,  May  17, 1870.  Are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  church.  He  has  240  acres  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  very  pleasant  residence  and  tasty  sur- 
rotmdings. 

CHARLES  CUSAC. 

Mr.  Cusac  was  boru  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  in  1838,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1858,  finding  a  home  in  this 
county,  and  lived  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  Ohio.  He  csme  back  to  Marshall  county  in  1865,  returned  to 
Ohio  in  again  in  1866,  and  once  more  came  to  Illinois  in  187 1.  He  married  Miss  L.  J.  Smith  in  1861— born  in  Ohio, 
same  county.  He  has  seven  children. — William  H.,  Charles  A.,  Louis  S-,  IT.  S.  Grant,  James  J.,  Minnie  E.  and  Es- 
tella. He  cultivates  160  acres  of  land .  In  1863  made  a  trip  to  California,  returning  the  following  year. 

JAMES  JENKINS. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  in  1824,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1855.  He  married  Eliz- 
abeth Beeves  in  1847  in  Indiana.  She  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1828.  They  have  six  children— Albert  W., 
Clara  B.,  Lilly  M.,  lioslaud.  Frank  E.  and  E.  O.,  and  three  deceased.  Mrs.  Jenkins  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  .  He  owns  Ic08  acres  of  land  in  Evans  and  170  acres  in  Roberta  township,  all  in  cultivation .  He  is  one  of  the 
best  of  farmers,  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

A.  G.  EVERLEY. 

Mr.  Everley  was  born  in  Mongahela  county,  Va.,  in  1837.  Came  west  in  1868,  and  located  in  Wenona.  He  en- 
listed in  the  3d  West  Virginia  cavalry  in  August,  1862,  and  served  until  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Wheeling, 
West  Virginia.  Married  Miss  Carrie  Dilliner  in  1860.  She  was  born  in  Queen  county,  Pa.  They  have  four  children, — 
Wordan  D.,  Mary  F.,  Keason  A.  and  Sarah  Ann.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  cultivates  160  acres  of 
land. 

AARON  AXLINE. 

Mr.  Axline  was  born  in  London  county,  Va.,  in  1813.  His  father  removed  to  Muskingum  county,  O.,  in  182fi, 
when  he  was  only  13  years  old.  Came  to  this  county  in  1854.  In  1842  he  married  Miss  Ann  Street,  who  was  born  in 
Muskingum  county,  O.  They  hav«  seven  children,— John  W.,  Catherine  S..  Theodore,  Clara  A.,  Daniel,  Mary  E.  and 
Clarence  A.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  has  been  school  director  six  year*1.  He  and  his  whole  family 
are  members  of  the  temperance  society.  He  owns  336  acres  of  land,  all  improved,  with  good  buildings.  Few  old 
families  show  a  fairer  record.  Mr.  E.  is  deservedly  proud  of  his  intelligent  sons  and  daughters. 

ABRAM  ALLEN. 

Mr.  Allen  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1823.  Came  west  with  his  uncle,  and  landed  at  Qnincy  in  1835,  living 
in  Adams  county  until  1850,  when  he  went  to  California  and  remained  about  two  years.  He  came  where  he  now  re- 
sides in  1853  3e  married  Miss  Cecilia  M  Cross  in  1867.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  when  two  years  old 


724  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

came  to  Djxon.  laving  made  the  trip  from  1'eiinfyivnnia  in  a  one-horse  vagon.  Her  father  was  a  minister  in  the 
Baptist  church.  They  moved  to  Rutland  in  I860,  They  have  three  children,— Charles  A.,  Grace  M.  and  Mary  E  . 
Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  lie  has  been  school  director  several  years,  is  clerk  of  the  board,  and  trustee  of 
the  M.  E.  church.  Miss  Amelia  Allen  is  residing  with  her  brother.  He  owns  360  acres  of  land,  all  improved,  he 
WHS  in  Evans  before  ihe  I.  C.  R,  R.  was  in  ooer  itioa.  There  were  no  houses  in  Wenona  when  he  came  there— only 
the  railroad  company  houses.  His  farm  was  run  for  several  years  without  fences. 

ELIZABETH  EVANS. 

Mrs.  Evans  was  burn  in  Granville  county.  North  Carolina,  in  1810.  K  -moved  to  Illinois  in  1843,  and  to  this 
county  in  1846.  She  married  Mr.  Justus  Jones  in  that  year,  who  died  in  1849,  leaving  one  child,  \ugusta.  She  mar- 
ried Mr.  Jo«hua  Evans  in  1852,  who  died  in  January,  1868.  leaving  her  with  one  child,  Frances.  She  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E  church  for  over  52  years.  Mrs.  Evans  is  now  69  years  oE  age.  yet  is  smart  and  active,  and  in  the 
possession  ol  all  her  faculties.  A  lengthy  biography  of  her  husband  is  given  elsewhere. 

S.  C.  GRIFFIN. 

Mr.  Griffin  was  horn  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in  1853  and  came  to  this  state  in  1865.  He  married  Miss  Isabella 
Cusac  in  1877 — born  in  this  county.  Tnev  have  one  child.  Lena  May.  \re  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  pitruns  of  husbandry  and  of  the  temperance  society.  He  cultivates  50  acres  of  land.  Games  from 
a  family  noted  for  their  ability  to  mike  money,  and  is  bound  to  get  along. 

T.   D.   QlIAINTANCE. 

Mr.  Quaintance  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  10.  He  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa..,  in  1846.  and  came  west 
with  his  parents  in  1855,  first  locating  in  Putnam  county  (Magnolia),  and  in  this  county  in  1831.  He  married  Anna 
Me  \dams  in  1874.  She  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  They  have  two  children —Jessie  and  Edna,  and  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Q.  is  a  member  of  the  temperance  society.  He  cultivates  216  acres  of  land. 

AARON  G.  MARTIN. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  Caledonia,  Putnam  county,  III.,  in  December,  1835.  an  1  came  on  to  the  farm  be  at 
present  occupies  when  but  a  child.  He  married  Sarah  Parkinson  in  February,  1863.  She  was  birn  in  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  and  has  brought  him  three  children  living— Harry  G.,  Edwin  I'. and  Helen  S.,  and  one  child  de- 
i  eased.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Mr.  Martin  is  school  director  of  district  No.  3,  and  is  secretary  of  the 
board.  He  owns  360  acres  of  well  improved  land. 

PUTNAM  BECKWITH. 

Mr.  Beckwith  was  born  in  Marshall  county.  111.,  in  1842.  He  married  MHS  Francis  lUgan  in  1869.  She  was 
born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio.  They  have  four  children— Bertha  M.,  Herbert  H.,  Charles  P,  and  Miry.  He  Ls  first 
lieutenant  of  Co.  B.  lOcb  Bat'l  I.  N.  G.  Enlisted  in  the  1st  111.  Cavalry  July  3, 1861.  and  was  discharged  July  14, 
1862.  Re-enlisted  in  14th  Cavalry,  September  4, 1852;  discharged  July  30, 1865.  H )  was  wjunled  at  L9xington,  Mo., 
twice,  in  a  charge  to  recover  a  cannon  that  was  captured  by  the  enemy,  and  at  ffest  Plains,  Mo.,  in  Uay,  1862.  He 
still  carries  the  bill  in  his  bod}.  He  was  on  the  Morgan  atrt  Stoneorm  raids,  and  in  many  other  engagements.  He 
also  assisted  at  the  capture  of  Indians  who  were  in  the  rsbel  army— when  they  release!  the  chief  and  medicine 
man  and  sent  them  back  only  to  retnrn  and  tight  us  again. 

ALBERT  EVANS. 

Mr.  Evans  was  born  in  Licking  county,  O  lio,  Dec.  21,  1827,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  the  fall  of  1830 
with  his  parents.  The  township  WAS  named  after  his  f  ttder.  He  m  irrie  i  Miss  Harriet  Springer  in  1855.  She  was 
born  in  Putnam  county.  They  have  six  ciildren  living,— Winslow,  Ella,  Lincoln  P.,  Charles  E.,  Charlotte  Bell  and 
Ada.  They  are  mempers  of  the  M.  E.  church,  He  was  justice  oE  the  peice  ten  years,  assessor  seven  years,  and  has 
been  township  treaiurar  twrtnt^-six  years,  de  owns  '.Mi  acres  of  land,  all  improved.  He  was  in  the  lumber  business 
for  awhile  in  Wenona. 

H.  R.  GRIFFIN. 

Mr,  Griffin  was  born  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  in  1823,  and  came  west  and  located  in  this  county  in  1865-  He 
married  Nancy  Cassady  in  1851.  She  was  born  in  the  same  neighborhood  in  Pennsylvania  as  himself,  in  1822.  They 
have  six  children,— Mary  E.,  Ann  M..  George  W.,  Rebecca  8.,  James  L.  and  John  D.,  and  are  members  of  the  Cum- 
berband  Presbyterian  church.  He  owns  320  acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation.  Miss  Sally  Moats,  who  has  been  in 
his  father's  family  since  a  girl,  is  now  75  years  old,  and  is  kindly  provided  for  by  him;  in  compliance  with  his 
father's  will. 

DR.  CORNELIUS   PERRY. 

Dr.  Perry  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1823.  He  studied  medicine  in  Litchfield,  and  graduated  from  the  New 
York  Medical  University  in  1846,  and  settled  in  Hope,  New  Jersay,  where  he  practiced  medicine  for  some  seven 
years,  and  married  Lucy  M.  Swayze.  a  native  of  New  Jersey  in  1848.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them— Frances 
and  Evelyn.  When  he  first  came  west  he  settled  in  Licon,  where  he  lived  three  years,  and  then  moved  to  Evans 
township,  where  he  had  made  extensive  purchases  of  real  estate.  His  wife  disliking  the  prairie,  he  removed  to 
Chicago,  where  he  remained  until  1869,  their  home  being  shared  this  time  by  the  parents  of  Mrs.  P.,  she  being  their 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  725 

only  child.  After  going  on  to  the  prairie  the  Doctor  gradually  relinquished  his  profession,  and  devoted  himself  to 
the  care  of  his  large  real  estate  intereste.  Besides  valuable  property  in  this  state,  he  owns  some  2,000  acres  in  Kan- 
sas. Mr,  Swayze  was  a  graduate  ot  Princeton  College,  and  for  years  practiced  law  in  New  Jersey,  until  he  lost  his 
voice  and  then  learned  surgery.  He  owns  500  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this  state.  Dr.  Perry  has  been  largely 
identified  with  the  Wenona  Fair,  and  is  an  active,  well  informed,  substantial  citizen.  In  his  house  are  four 
generations. 

BENJAMIN  JUDD. 

Mr.  Judd  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1829,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1831  and  located  in  this 
township.  He  married  Francis  Talbot  in  1851.  She  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa  ,  in  1834.  They  have  seven 
children-Elizabeth,  (Mrs.  Kemp),  Nelson  P.,  James  A.,'Thomas  B,,  Clara  J,,  Mary  F.  and  Jnlia  Dell.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Star  Chapter.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Local  Protection  society  and  member  of  the 
Grange.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  under  excellent  cultivation. 

MRS.  R.  M.  CAHOON,  Dress  and  Cloak-maker,  Wenona. 

Mrs,  Gaboon  was  born  in  Barnstable  county,  Mass.,  in  1828.  She  married  Mr.  L,  Gaboon  in  1847.  He  was  born 
in  New  York  state.  Moved  west  in  18SO,  and  located  in  Osage  township,  LaSalle  county.  111,  They  came  to  Wenona 
in  1871.  They  have  three  children  living— Sarah  J..  George  W.  and  Charles.  She  has  been  engaged  in  the  dress- 
making business  sinco  1846,  and  lived  in  Wenona  since  1862.  She  keeps  on  hand  a  full  stock  of  all  kinds  of  fancy 
trimmings,  and  is  an  accomplished  and  competent  dressmaker. 

N.  F.  BROWN. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  farmer,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.  in  1631,  He  located  in  LaSalle  county  with  his 
parents  when  quite  young,  and  married  Miss  Matilda  Judd  in  1855.  She  was  born  in  Evans  township,  Marshall 
county,  Illinois.  She  is  the  youngest  child  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Jndd,  two  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Marshall 
county.  They  have  three  children—  Almeda  E.,  May  A.  and  8,  Benton.  They  own  160  acres  of  land.  They  have 
two  children  deceased— Mice  A.  and  Fany— the  former  died  when  between  five  and  six  years  old,  and  the  latter 
between  two  and  a  half  and  three  years  old. 

ADAM  BRTJNNER. 

Mr.  Brunner  is  a  shoemaker,  engaged  in  business  in  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Wnrtemburg,  Germany,  in 
1850,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  fall  of  1870,  locating  in  Dwight.  Livingston  county,  where  he  lived  until 
he  came  to  Wenona,  in  the  spring  of  1873.  He  commenced  business  at  his  trade,  which  he  learned  in  the  old 
country,  and  has  been  working  at  it  since  1865.  He  owns  a  house  and  lot  in  Wenona,  and  is  well  to  do.  He  is  mas- 
ter of  his  profession,  and  enjoys  the  reputation  of  a  first-class  shoemaker. 

PETER  G.  DEFENBAUGH. 

Mr.  Defcnbangh  lives  on  his  farm  in  Evans  township,  bnt  his  postofflce  is  Magnolia.  He  was  born  in 
Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  in  1821,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1851.  and  married  Sarah  A.L  Walter,  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania. They  have  nine  children—  Zachariacb,  Eluchie,  Allan,  Durriab,  Mary,  Emma.  Francis,  William  C.,  Ed- 
win and  Louisa  (deceased).  They  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  been  school  di- 
lector  several  times  and  is  trustee  now.  He  owns  139  acres  of  land  in  Marshall  county,  and  80  acres  in  LaSalle 
county,  He  is  a  kind,  generous  hearted  man,  and  a  good  citizen  and  neighbor. 

MRS.  EUPHEMIA  CROFT. 

Mrs.  Oroft,  widow  of  II.  Croft,  whose  biography  is  given  elsewhere,  was  born  in  Durbin  county,  Indiana,  in 
1832,  and  moved  to  Marshall  countv  when  a  child,  with  her  parents  in  1833,  and  located  on  the  farm  she  is  now  oc- 
cupying. She  married  Hutchison  Croft  in  1860.  He  died  in  March,  1878,  leaving  four  children  —Samuel  M.,  Emma 
(M  r>.  Kirkpatrick),  Julia  A,  and  James.  Are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  The  estate  con- 
tains about  1200  acres  of  land,  all  improved.  Her  fine  residence  was  burnt  down  in  April,  1880. 

Miss  SUSAN  WOOLF  AND  MRS.  S.  P.  HALLAM,  Dress-makers,  Wenona. 

The  subjects  of  this  sketch,  having  opened  up  their  establishment  in  August,  1879,  are  prepared  to  do  all  kinds 
of  dress-making,  plain  and  fashionable,  at  the  shortest  notice .  Miss  Woolf  is  a  native  of  Muskingum  county,  Ohio, 
and  came  with  her  parents  to  Marshall  county  in  1858  She  is  a  memb  r  of  the  M.  E.  church,  Mrs,  Hallam  is  a  na- 
tive of  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  and  moved  to  Kichland  county.  111.,  in  1861,  and  to  Rutland  in  1866.  She  married 
Mi.  S.  P.  Hallam  in  1867.  He  is  a  native  of  Washington  countv,  Pa.  They  have  three  children-  Anna  M.,  Myro  L. 
and  Henry  G.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

E.  M.  HUNTER,  (widow). 

Mrs.  Hunter  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  came  to  Ohio  with  her  parents  when  seven  years  old.  and  to  La 
Salle  county  two  years  later.  She  married  William  Phillips  in  1850.  She  was  only  13  years  old.  He  was  born  in 
England.  They  have  three  children— Nelson  Clara,  and  Fannie.  He  died  in  Oct.  1864.  Mrs.  Hunter  owns  a  farm 
at  Lostant,  La  Salle  county,  of  62  acres  and  a  house  and  4  lots.  She  sold  a  farm  of  160  acres,  in  1876,  which  she  dis- 


726 


RECORDS    OF   *TIIE   OLDEN   TlitE. 


tributed  among  her  children,  who  are  all  married.  Mrs.  Hunter  is  a  dressmaker  and  follows  her  business  indus- 
triously, although  having  no  necessity  to  do  so.  She  prefers  business  to  occupy  her  mind.  8  he  has  purchased  the 
property  she  is  now  occupying,  subject  to  minor's  claim,  having  rented  her  own  large  residence  at  Lostant,  as  she 
did  not  require  so  large  a  house  since  her  children  married. 

JOHN  I.  PARSONS. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  near  Magnolia,  in  1848.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Parsons,  who  moved 
from  Missouri  and  settled  in  Putnam  county  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  Parsons  married  Ada  S.  Hopper  in  1873.  She  was 
born  in  Sangamon  county,  near  Springfield,  111.  Their  children  are  Bailie,  Annie,  Edward  H.  and  Mary  Ada.  Are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church .  He  has  the  management  of  his  father's  property,  which,  including  his  home- 
stead of  60  acres,  embraces  six  farms,  consisting  of  1030  acres  in  this  state,  and  455  acre.-  owned  by  himself. 

L.     A.    McClJLLM. 

Mr.  McCullm  is  a  hair-dresser  living  in  Wenona.  He  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1862,  and  come  to  Wenona 
in  1874.  In  January,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Emma  Carson,  born  in  Andrew  county,  Mo.  They  hav«  two  c  hildren, 
Clara  Bell  and  Mary  Louisa.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  a  first-class  establishment,  and  is  the  only 
one  in  Wenona.  Has  been  nine  years  in  the  business,  and  makes  money. 

MRS.  H.  N.  MCCLANAHAN,  Widow. 

Wenona.  Illinois. 

WILLIAM  M.  HAMILTON. 

I  was  born  in  Muskingnm  county,  Ohio,  October  13, 1816.  My  father  wai  Bev.  Wm.  Hamilton  I  am  the  sec- 
ond son  of  twelve  children,  ten  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  up  to  be  men  and  women.  The  psalmist 
says,  "  I  have  been  young  and  now  am  old,  yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken  nor  his  seed  begging  bread." 
I  always  considered  my  father  a  righteous  man,  and  he  must  have  been  such,  for  I  never  knew  of  any  of  his  seed 
begging  bread.  Five  of  his  sons  followed  farming,  three  were  doctors,  one  preacher,  and  one  was  an  editor — also  a 
member  of  the  Ohio  legislature  for  a  number  of  years  ;  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  representative  in  Con- 
gress. One  son.  Dr.  J.  W.  Hamilton,  has  obtained  some  notoriety  as  a  surgeon  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  His  son,  Dr.  T. 
B.  Hamilton,  was  surgeon  of  the  104th  Illinois  regiment,  and  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  My  father  died  in  the  78th 
year  of  his  age.  His  sons  ranged  in  height  from  five  feet  six  inches  to  six  feet  two.  I  being  the  nearest  the  ninth 
part  of  a  man,  my  father  bound  me  to  Hon.  James  Henderson,  of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  for  the  term  of  six  years  to 
learn  the  tailoring  trade.  Nothing  unusual  or  strange  took  place  in  my  life  until  I  was  in  the  llth  and  12th  years 
of  my  age  In  those  days  almost  every  family  kept  liquor  to  be  drank  as  a  beverage.  My  father,  though  averse  to 
drunkenness,  kept  whiskey  in  his  closet  by  tne  barrel  and  a  bottle  in  the  cupboard,  thus  affording  a  chance  to  take 
a  dram  when  I  wanted  it.  My  visits  to  the  old  cupboard  became  more  and  more  frequent,  till  at  length  it  was 
noised  around  that  little  Bill  Hamilton  was  a  drunkard.  My  sister,  becoming  alarmed,  conveyed  to  my  father  the 
sad  news.  He  called  me  to  him  and  in  an  affectionate  tone  of  voice  said,  '*  William,  your  sister  tells  me  that  you 
have  become  a  drunkard,  My  son,  I  would  rather  follow  you  to  your  grave  than  you  should  become  such."  Thus, 
through  the  watchful  care  of  my  dear  sister  and  the  timely  admonition  of  a  loving  father,  I  was  as  a  fire-brand 
plucked  out  of  the  burning.  This  occurrance  took  place  in  harvest  time  just  after  the  organization  of  the  first 
temperance  society  in  that  region,  and  my  father  had  a  number  of  hands  employed.  It  was  my  office  to  wait  on 
them  with  water  and  whiskey.  One  evening  all  the  hands  got  ready  to  go  to  a  temperance  meeting,  and  I  asked 
permission  to  go  with  them.  On  the  way  father's  admonition  kept  ringing  in  my  ears—"  [  would  rather  follow  you 
to  vour  grave  than  have  you  become  a  drunkard."  After  the  lecture  was  over  an  opportunity  was  given  to  sign  the 
pledge.  The  lecturer  requested  those  who  would  sign  to  give  their  names.  One  of  the  young  men  that  went  with 
me  sat  in  the  seat  in  front  of  me,  and  I  said.  "Charles,  I  will  sign,"  when  he  exclaimed  in  a  loud  voice,  "  Bill  Ham- 
ilton." We  returned  home  at  a  late  hour  I  had  to  pass  through  my  father's  bed-room  to  get  to  mine,  and  he  was 
awake.  Perhaps  the  sad  news  that  he  had  learned  from  my  sister  had  drove  sleep  from  his  eyes,  and  he  may  have 
been  praying,  ns  thousands  of  fathers  and  mothers  are  to-day—"  Lord  keep  my  son  from  the  vices  of  this  world 
and  save  him  from  going  down  into  a  drunkard's  grave  and  a  drunkard's  hell."  The  first  question  he  asked  was, 
"  William,  were  there  many  at  the  temperance  meeting."  "Yes,  sir:  the  house  was  full."  "Who  signed?"  I  named 
all  I  could  recollect,  and  closed  by  saying  1  signed.  He  asked  no  more  questions.  I  don't  know  how  he  passed  the 
balance  of  the  night,  but  think  he  must  have  felt  like  the  old  father  who  said,  "  This  is  my  son  that  was  lost  and  is 
found,"  and  he,  with  those  that  were  invited  to  the  supper,  began  to  be  merry.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  my  father 
built  a  large  barn,  and  in  asking  his  neighbors  to  help  him  raise  it  he  told  them  he  would  not  have  any  liquor  on 
the  occasion.  All  came  that  were  invited,  and  the  frame  went  up  nicely.  Never  after  this  did  my  father  keep 
liquor  in  his  house  to  be  drank  as  a  beverage.  In  the  13th  year  of  my  age  I  joined  the  Methodist  Protestant  church, 
that  was  in  derision  called  radical's  church.  A  few  years  previous  to  this  some  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  published  a  paper  styled  Mutual  Rights  contending  that  the  laity  should  have  an  equal  voice 
in  church  government  with  the  ministry.  For  publishing  such  views  they  were  silenced,  if  not  turned  out  of 
church.  This  transaction  gave  rise  to  the  Methodist  Protestent  church,  which  now  has  a  membership  of  over  100,000 
in  the  United  States.  The  day  L  was  15  years  old  I  went  to  Zanesville  to  learn  my  trade,  and  seryed  as  an  appren- 
tice until  I  was  21.  After  working  at  my  trade  in  Ohio  until  early  in  the  spring  of  1843  I  took  passage  at  Marietta, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  727 

on  the  Ohio  river,  for  Cincinnati,  remained  one  week,  and  then  started  for  St.  Louis  where  I  arrived  with  25  cents 
remaining  in  my  pocket.  While  standing  on  the  deck,  up  came  a  peddler  with  a  basket  of  jewelry,  and  my  last 
quarter  went  for  a  watch-key.  I  engaged  board  in  the  city  at  82.50  per  week,  and  at  the  end  of  three  weeks  I  found 
myself  $7.50  in  debt,  but  I  cot  a  job  and  soon  paid  up  my  board  bill,  and  commenced  business  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  city  and  remained  there  until  October,  then  took  a  trip  up  the  Illinois  river  to  visit  my  relations  about  Mag- 
nolia. In  this  month  I  was  27  years  of  age.  Being  highly  pleased  with  the  country,  I  commenced  business  in  Mag- 
nolia, and  continued  it  from  the  fall  of  1843  to  the  summer  of  1851.  During  this  time  made  four  trips  to  Ohio,  one 
via  the  lakes,  two  by  wagon  and  one  on  horseback.  During  my  third  visit  I  traded  my  spring  wagon  and  a  lot  of 
clothing  I  had  with  me  for  three  more  horses,  bought  on  time  eighteen  mules,  and  started  for  New  Jersey,  where  I 
sola  one-half  interest  in  my  drove  at  a  very  nice  profit.  Being  late  in  the  fall  we  did  not  find  sale  for  our  stock  un- 
til near  spring.  Notwithstanding  our  heavy  expenses,  I  returned  to  Ohio  $250  gainer.  I  there  bought  another  drove 
of  33,  pastured  them  until  the  next  November,  and  returned  to  Illinois.  The  latter  part  of  August  I  started  on 
horseback  for  Ohio.  On  my  way  through  Indiana  I  bought  seven  heBd  of  mules  and  one  horse.  This  made  me  a 
drove  of  40  mules  and  two  horses.  At  Zanesville.  Ohio,  I  sold  about  one-half  of  my  drove  to  California  emigrants, 
and  the  balance  I  took  to  New  Jersey.  On  this  trip  I  cleared  above  all  expenses  $1002.  I  returned  to  Ohio  and 
bought  another  drove  of  40  mules  and  two  horses,  and  hired  their  keeping  until  the  latter  part  of  that  winter,  and 
then  drove  them  to  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  where  I  sold  them  at  $800  profit,  and  then  returned  to  Ohio.  After  giving  away 
$500  I  returned  to  Illinois  with  something  over  two  thousand  dollars,  with  a  view  to  invest  my  funds  in  reserved 
lands  of  the  Illinois  Central  H.  H.  They  not  coming  into  market  as  soon  as  expected.  I  bought  a  farm  of  160  acres 
three  milt  s  northeast  of  Magnolia.  I  farmed  one  year,  and  then  sold  out  to  Daniel  Horram  at  a  handsome  profit, 
I  entered  my  Wenona  lands  January  10th,  1853,  and  my  Chenoa  lands  Sept.  24th,  1853. 

I  was  married  to  Rebecca  Burns,  daughter  of  Andrew  Burns,  Oct.  18, 1855,  five  days  after  I  became  39  years 
of  age.  Should  we  live  until  Oct.  18.  1884,  we  may  give  our  friends  an  invitation  to  attend  our  silver  wedding.  I 
voted  the  abolition  ticket  in  1838.  After  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  with  a  plank  in  their  platform 
opposing  the  extension  of  slavery,  I  became  identified  with  that  party,  as  did  tii3  majority  of  the  abolitionists. 
My  father  once  remarked  to  an  aunt,  •  I  am  afraid  that  William  will  render  himself  unpopular  on  this  abolition 
question."  I'ruth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail.  It  was  not  long  until  father  and  all  my  brothers  were  ranked  among 
the  abolitionists.  In  those  day»  men  were  egged,  stoned  and  shot  dead  tor  expressing  their  views.  I  once  made  the 
remark  to  a  fellow  stage  passenger,  "I  believe  the  black  man  has  just  the  same  right  to  his  freedom  as  you  or  I."  He 
drew  back  his  fist  to  strike  me,  and  said,  "you  may  compare  yourself  to  a  negro,  but  you  shan't  me."  In  the  win- 
ter of  1833.  I  heard  a  minister  lecture  on  temperance  who  advocated  the  enactment  of  municipal  state  and  na- 
tional prohibition  laws,  I  have  been  of  the  opinion  ever  since  that  the  strong  arm  of  the  law  as  well  as  every  other 
lawful  means  should  be  brought  to  bear  against  this  soul  destroying  traffic.  In  the  winter  of  1874,  the  Wenona 
temperance  society  elected  Rev,  Morrow  and  myself  as  deligates  to  attend  a  state  prohibition  convention  at  Bloom  - 
ington.  Since  then,  as  opportunity  affords.  I  have  voted  the  prohibition  ticket,  but,  as  did  the  old  abolitionists, 
hold  mj  self  ready  to  become  identified  with  a  party  that  can  bring  about  the  desired  object  quicker  than  the  one  I 
now  support,  In  the  winter  of  18731  drew  up  an  amendment  to  section  2  of  the  dram  shop  act,  making  it  unlawful 
to  sell  liquor  in  any  quantity  without  first  obtaining  a  license,  also  making  it  unlawful  for  the  supervisors  to  grant 
license  to  sell  liquor  within  three  miles  of  any  city,  town  or  village.  Previous  to  this  time  it  could  be  sold  by  the 
quart  without  license.  1  sent  the  bill  to  Senator  Baldwin,  which  he  introduced.  It  was  referred  to  the  Judiciary 
committee  and  reported  back  to  the  Senate  amended,  making  it  unlawful  to  sell  in  less  quantities  than  one  gallon, 
and  debaring  the  supervisors  from  granting  license  to  sell  liquor  within  two  miles  of  the  corporate  limits  of  cities, 
towns  or  villages.  Thus  amended  it  passed  both  houses.  Before  the  assembling  of  our  last  legislature  I  drew  up 
another  amendment  to  section  2,  by  adding,  "provided  cities,  towns,  and  villages  may  enact  ordinances  prohibiting 
the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquor  in  any  quantity,  thus  giving  us  a  local  law  by  which  we  could  avoid  the  evils  of  sell- 
ing by  the  gallon.  This  bill  I  sent' to  my  nephew,  J.  M.  Hamilton,  senator  from  Bloomington  district.  This  bill 
was  printed  and  ordered  to  the  second  reading.  While  thus  pending  I  wrote  to  my  nephew  to  amend  the  bill  be- 
fore its  passage  so  as  to  give  cities,  towns  and  villages  jurisdiction  two  miles  beyond  their  corporate  limits  in  pro- 
hibiting the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors.  In  due  time  this  amendment  was  presented,  and  referred  to  the  Judiciary 
committee  and  there  met  the  same  fate  of  a  number  of  other  piohibition  bills.  I  nope  to  live  to  see  the  day  when 
the  people  of  Illinois  will  elect  representatives  that  will  press  the  passage  of  such  bills. 

1  served  as  school  director  in  Wenona  ten  years,  and  was  re-elected  for  a  three  years  term.  At  the  close  of 
one  year  I  resigned  I  wasonce  a  candidate  for  mayor  of  the  city  of  Wenona  on  ano-license  ticket,  and  was  beaten. 
In  the  spring  of  1872  1  was  nominated  by  the  Republican  party  for  county  supervisor.  Not  feeling  disposed  to  treat 
or  leave  money  with  saloon-keepers,  to  buy  votes,  and  through  the  circulation  of  a  lie,  that  I  was  opposed  to  a  poor 
man  having  a  vote,  I  ran  behind  my  ticket,  and  was  beaten  five  votes.  In  the  fall  of  1875  I  went  to  California  with 
my  family,  consisting  of  my  wife  and  four  children,  with  a  view  of  remaining  there  five  years.  AEter  sojourning 
there  one  year,  along  the  coast  from  Clear  Lake,  80  miles  north  of  San  Francicco,  to  San  Diago,  600  miles  south,  I 
became  fully  satisfied  that  the  climate  had  been  misrepresented,  and  returned  home  in  the  fall  of  1876,  believing 
the  statement  once  made  by  David  Law,  who  died  at  Henry  a  few  years  since,  was  true.  Said  he,  "  I  have  traveled 
in  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  I  tell  you,  taking  everything  into  consideration,  there  is  not  a  better  country  in 
the  world  than  this  portion  of  Illinois."  Oa  my  return  home,  I  learned  the  sa'oon-keepers  had  hung  me  in  effigy 
on  the  morning  of  my  departure.  When  I  heard  George  McAdam  and  other  highly  esteemed  citizens  say  that  1  had 
never  been  more  highly  honored,  I  felt  still  more  joyful  in  this  tribulation.  Two  years  since,  Dr  Reynolds,  of  El- 
Paso,  in  an  introduction  said  to  Rev.  Millsap:  "  Hamilton  waa  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  temperance  work;  that 
we  are  now  occupying  grounds  that  he  occupied  forty  yews  ago;"  and  added,  "Don't  you  recollect  the  time  you  vis- 


728 


EECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


ited  me  at  Bowlinereen,  Woodfoid  county,  some  twenty-five  yean  ago,  that  Elder  R.  invited  us  home  with  him  on 
Sunday  to  take  dinner,  and  that  he  had  wine  on  the  table,  and  how  yon  opposed  the  practice?"  At  this  writing  I 
have  just  entered  on  the  Bixty-fourth  year  of  my  age.  In  reviewing  my  past  life  I  can  see  where  I  have  erred  and 
misimproved  time,  and  some  acts  of  my  life  are  brought  to  mv  recollection  that  given  me  great  satisfaction,  of 
which  I  never  will  have  an  occasion  to  write.  \V  M .  M .  HAMILTON, 

WILLIAM  P.  DITMAN. 

Fanner-    Poetoffice,  Wenona. 

WILLIAM  McQuAro. 

Fainter,  Wenona. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  729 


HOPEWELL  TOWNSHIP. 


JOSHUA  D.  BULLMAN. 

Mr.  Bnllman  was  born  in  Morris  county,  New  Jersey,  February  21, 1806  He  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a 
common  school  education,  and  labored  on  a  farm  until  twerty-two  years  old,  when  he  married  Catherine  Hall, 
born  May  30, 1808,  and  started  west  the  same  year,  in  company  with  his  mother  and  younger  brother  Lot.  They 
found  a  stopping  place  on  the  Wabash  until  the  springof  1832,  when  they  came  to  Marshall  county  and  selected  the 
place  where  he  has  ever  since  lived  and  hopes  to  die.  He  was  a  good  worker,  and  so  was  his  wife,  and  the  prairie 
was  soon  transformed  into  a  thriving  farm,  with  fields  loaded  with  wheat  and  corn.  In  course  of  time  children 
were  born  to  them,  five  in  number — Hattie,  Theodore,  Mortimer,  Clementine  and  Theresa,  After  a  lone  and  useful 
lije  Mrs.  Bullman,  the  faithful  companion  of  his  better  days,  died ,  and  they  laid  her  beneath  :  the  daises.  Mr. 
Bnllman  still  lives  at  the  old  farm,  which  his  son  Mortimer  carries  on,  and  where  his  children  and  grand  children 
come  to  visit  him.  Of  the  latter  there  are  five. 

AUGUST  QUIBAM. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  farmer  in  Hopewell  township,  born  in  Germany,  March  23d,  1848.  He  came  to 
Marshall  county  in  1862,  and  married  Miss  Rosey  Reabshler.  She  was  born  in  Germany,  Sept.  25th,  1846.  They  have 
five  children,— William,  Mary,  Emma.  Edward  and  John, 

MARGELAND  JASON. 

Mrs.  Jason  is  widow  of  the  late  John  Jason,  and  was  born  in  Germany  in  1819.  She  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1843,  and  the  following  year  was  married,  in  New  York  city.  She  lived  there  four  years,  and  came  with  her  hus- 
band to  this  county  in  1848.  He  was  for  several  years  a  ferryman,  and  lived  some  time  at  Sparland.  He  was  born 
at  Dane,  Germany,  in  1820,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1843,  and  died  in  1877.  He  was  a  prudent,  industrious  man, 
and  accumulated  a  large  property,  owning  six  hundred  acres  of  land  at  his  death.  They  had  seven  children, — Mary, 
John,  Peter,  Frederic,  Charles  and  Elizabeth. 

EDGAR  MYERS. 

Mr.  Myers  is  a  son  of  William  Myers,  and  was  born  in  Edgar  county.  III.,  Sept.  24th,  1857.  He  came  to  Mar- 
shall county  in  1873,  and  married  Addie  Cora  Strawn,  June  3d,  1879,  and  in  about  six  months  after  she  died,  leav- 
ing him  a  widow  at  22.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Enoch  Strawn,  and  was  born  in  Hopewell  township,  July  19th,  1859. 
Mr.  Myers  is  a  good  worker  and  an  honest  man. 

LUTHER  HANCOCK. 

Mr.  Hancock  was  born  in  New  Hampshire.  Sept.  7th,  1815,  and  married  Martha  J.  Colby,  March  27th,  1844.  She 
was  born  July  10th,  1825.  They  have  three  children,  Lydia  A.,  James  and  John,  living,  and  two  deceased. 

JACOB  PURSEL. 

Mr.  Pursel  was  born  in  Hnntington  county,  N.  J.,  in  1804,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1857.  He  mairied  Miss 
Mary  Cole  in  1826.  Shs  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  New  Jersey.  They  have  five  children,— Peter,  Rebecca, 
Selinda,  George  and  Jane.  He  owns  80  acres  of  farm  land  and  20  of  timber.  His  farm  is  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation. 

MRS.  MARY  VERNAY,  (widow}. 

Mrs.  Vernay  is  a  resident  of  Hopewell  township,  and  waa  born  in  Baltimore  county,  Md.,  Jan.  11, 18C9.  She 
married  David  Vernay  Oct.  18. 1832,  and  located  in  Marshall  connty  in  the  spring  of  1833.  He  was  born  in  Hartford 
county  Md.,  June  20, 1799,  and  died  Sept  17  1865.  They  had  two  children.  James,  born  Dec.  34, 1834,  and  William 
(deceased),  Mr.  V.  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mrs.  Verney  owni  80  acres  of  land  in  her  homestead 
and  60  acres  of  timber  land.  She  rents  her  farm  and  lives  on  the  income  of  her  property. 

WILLIAM  STRAWS. 

Mr.  Strawn  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  in  1814.  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1829.  He  married  Helen  M. 
Broaddus  in  1840.  born  in  Caroline  county.  Va.,  in  182J.  They  have  ten  children— Lucy  B..  Jacob,  Leland.  Leroy, 
Caroline  V.,  John  J.,  Helen  and  William  (twins),  Ralph.  W.  E.  and  Alford  T.  \ic  members  of  the  Congregational 
church.  He  was  assessor  one  term,  has  been  a  school  director  several  years,  and  road  commissioner.  He  owns  in 
his  homestead  160  acres.  Also  a  farm  in  Iroquois  county,  and  one  in  BenninirtoD  township.  He  gave  his  children 


730 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


each  a  farm.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  and  was  granted  a  section  of  land  as  bounty.  He  has  been  a  noted 
bunter  in  bis  day  and  remembers  the  prairie  when  from  the  Illuois  river  to!  Washington,  111.,  there  was  not  a  single 
white  man.  His  ten  sons  and  daughters  were  all  born  here,  and  he  has  seen  them  grow  up  to  men  and  women  and 
comfortably  provided  for. 

AUGUST  COLESON. 

Mr,  Ooleson  is  a  farmer  in  Hopewell  township,  who  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1655.  He  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1869.  and  located  In  Marshall  county.  He  mairied  Anna  Lindgen  in  1877,  born  in  Germany.  They  are  members 
of  the  United  Lutheran  church.  He  rents  160  acres  of  land  which  he  cultivates,  and  is  a  hard  working  farmer. 

JOSEPH  ST.  CLAIR  BULLMAN. 

Mr.  Bullman  is  a  son  of  Lott  Bullman  and  was  born  and  reared  in  Hopewell  township.  He  has  a  good  farm 
of  his  own,  and  a  pleasant  home,  is  industrious  and  knows  how  to  take  cire  of  himself.  He  married  Susan,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Wier,  Sept.  22,  1875,  and  to  them  has  heen  given  one  child,  Ullman  J. 

T.  W.  STONER. 

Mr.  Stoner  was  born  in  Bichland  county,  Ohio,  February  2,  1841,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1864,  finding  a  home 
in  Marshall  conuty,  where  he  has  a  splendid  farm  of  240  acres  in  cultivation  and  100  acres  in  timber.  His  wife  was 
born  in  Putnam  county,  and  his  five  children  are  Wilbert  L.,  Erne  M.,  John  B.  acd  Edna  A.  Mr.  Stoner  is  much 
respected  in  his  township,  where  he  has  held  the  office  of  town  collector  and  school  director. 

WILLIAM  F.  MYERS. 

Mr.  Myers  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  14th.  1833,  and  was  married  in  1856,  his  wite  being  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
born  in  1832.  He  first  settled  in  this  state  in  Edgar  county,  and  removed  from  thence  to  Indiana  and  stayed  two 
years,  lived  in  Michigan  one  year,  came  to  Marshall  county  and  lived  three  years,  was  in  Kansas  three  years,  and 
returned  to  Marshall  county.  They  have  ten  children—  Edgar,  Italy  L.,  Bobert,  Biley,  Jacob.  George,  Laura,  Lilly, 
John  and  Bosey.  He  owns  a  fine  saw  mill  and  cultivates  a  large  farm  of  120  acres.  Mr.  Myers  is  indusbrions  and 
honest,  but  has  been  very  unfortunate,  having  had  his  mill  burned  down  and  his  leg  broken  through  accident. 

FREDERICK  JASON. 

Mr.  Jason  is  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  lives  on  section  16,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates  sixty  acres  of  hind. 
He  was  born  in  Sparland,  April  1st,  1853.  and  married  Miss  Emma  Jones  in  1877.  She  was  born  in  Missouri,  July  26, 
1857.  They  have  one  child,  whom  they  call  Andrew  Jackson. 

A.  W.  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  is  by  occupation  a  farmer,  owning  and  cultivating  2SO  acres  of  land  in  Hopewell  townsh  ip.  He  was 
born  in  Chillicothe,  111.,  in  1836,  and  has  lived  in  Marshall  county  since  1844.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  17th  111.  Vol  .  , 
was  elected  lieutenant,  and  badly  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  has  since  been  a  suffer- 
er. Being  debarred  from  active  service,  he  resigned  in  1862  and  returned  home,  where  he  married  Miss  Emma  M. 
Hall,  a  very  accomplished  lad  v,  born  in  Marshall  county  in  1842.  They  have  two  children,  Julian  Charles  and  James 
Hall.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  man  of  influence  in  his  township,  has  filled  important  local  offices  and  is  a  gentleman  of 
good  address  and  more  than  average  abilty.  Mrs.  Jones  was  well  educated,  and  in  1879  was  a  candidate  for  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  for  which  she  is  well  qualified. 

PHILIP  MARTIN. 

Mr.  Martin  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  living  in  Hopewell  township,  where  he  cultivates  fifty  acres.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Berry  in  1868,  and  they  have  five  children,  John,  Mary,  Catherine,  Philip  and  Charles. 

LOTT  BULLMAN. 

Mr.  Bullman  was  born  in  Morris  county,  New  Jersey,  July  9th,  1811  ,  and  came  west  in  1830.  lie  stopped  on 
the  Wabasb  river  one  season,  and  came  to  his  present  location  in  1832.  He  married  Ann  Babb,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Babb.  of  Somerset,  Ohio,  in  1836.  She  was  born  in  1815.  They  have  four  children,  Eleanor  Ann  (Mrs.  Blackstone), 
Margaret  Jane  (Mrs.  Hancock),  Joseph  Sb.  Clairland  Clarissa  Frances  (deceased).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bullman  have  led 
long  and  useful  lives,  and  their  good  deeds  will  be  remembered  after  they  have  paid  the  debt  of  nature.  Besides 
their  own  children  they  have  reared  several  orphans,  giving  them  good  educations  and  otherwise  aiding  them.  Few 
persons  are  so  widely  known,  and  fewer  still  so  generally  respected. 

WILLIAM  W.  HANCOCK. 

Mr.  Hancock  was  born  in  the  city  of  Dublin,  Ireland.  Nov.  17th.  1813,  and  comes  from  an  old  Protestant  fam- 
ily. When  15  years  old  his  father  died,  and  he  was  sent  to  his  grandfather,  a  large  farmer,  to  be  educated,  where  he 
made  himself  useful,  and  was  promoted  to  keep  the  books  of  the  farm.  lie  remained  until  20,  and  then  embarked 
for  the  new  world,  landing  at  Philadelphia.  Letters  of  introduction  found  him  friends,  and  upon  their  recommen- 
dation he  went  to  the  country  and  bargained  with  a  man  named  Walker  to  labor  a  year  and  a  half  for  the  privilege 
of  learning  the  mysteries  of  farming,  but  all  he  learned  was  that  Walker  got  his  services  free  and  learned  him 
nothing.  Then  he  hired  one  year  to  a  neighbor  for  $140,  after  which  he  joined  a  young  man  named  Chapman  and 
came  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Ira  and  Norman  Fenn  and  accompanied  them  to 


BlO&RAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  731 

Illinois,  embarking  on  board  the  steamer  Paul  Jones,  and  paying  $18  for  a  cabin  passage  to  Columbia  (Laoon) . 
This  was  in  1836.  He  found  board  with  Dr.  Effner,  who  lived  in  a  log  cabin  north  of  John  Hoff  richter's,  and  after 
looking  about  some  time  purchased  a  claim  east  of  La^on  from  a  man  named  B  u-nhart,  where  he  has  ever  since  re- 
sided. That  year  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Orr,  and  after  more  than  40  years  of  wedded  life  has  never  regretted  his 
choice.  She  vasborn  in  Cecil  county,  Md.,  and  their  children  are  James  W.,  William  1C.,  Andrew  B.  and  Ira  Fenn. 
Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  supervisor,  assessor  and  other  positions,  has 
often  been  chosen  to  settle  estates  and  the  confidence  of  the  public  in  his  honesty  and  integrity  has  been  shown 
in  various  ways.  Mr.  Hancock  has  been  successful  in  business  and  secured  an  ample  competence  for  the  fu- 
ture. His  children  have  grown  to  man's  estate  and  developed  traits  of  character  that  shows  they  do  not  belie  their 
training,  and  proved  them? elves  worthy  descendants  of  good  parent*.  One  eveat  darkens  their  lives,  the  loss  of 
their  favorite  and  only  daughtei,  but  her  place  is  filled  by  a  grand  daughter,  Nellie,  who  remains  with  them. 

GEORGE  MYEES. 

Mr.  Myers  is  a  farmer,  and  lives  on  section  33,  Hopewell  township.  Postoffice,  1/ic.m.  Was  born  in  Green 
county,  Ohio,  in  1847.  Located  in  this  state  in  1864,  and  in  this  county  in  1874.  Married  Miss  Alice  Hunt  in  1869. 
She  was  born  in  Fulton  county.  111.  They  have  three  children.  Otto  St.,  Lulu  V.  and  Andrew  P.  He  cultivates  120 
acres. 

JAMES  W.  HANCOCK. 

Mr.  Hancock  is  a  son  of  William  Hancock,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Hopewell.  and  belongs  to  a  family  bear- 
ing a  deservedly  high  record.  He  was  born  in  Hopewell  township,  November  26.  1842,  and  married  Margaret  J.  Bull- 
man,  daughter  of  Lot  and  Ann  Bullman,  January  25,  1863.  They  have  three  children— Bruce,  Blanche  and  Pearl. 
Mr.  Hancock  is  an  industrious  farmer,  who  minds  his  own  business,  and  knows  how  to  make  money .  He  served 
one  term  as  sheriff,  performing  his  duties  conscientiously  aud  well,  and  is  much  respected  in  the  community. 

JOHN  JOHNSON. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  farmer  of  Hopewell  township,  who  was  born  March  6, 1837,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in 
1867.  He  married  Mrs.  Pearson  in  1858,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1838.  They  have  four  children — Mary  K.,  John  L.. 
Klla  D.  and  Rossie.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  good  farmer,  and  cultivates  120  acres. 

WILLIAM  W.  FEAZLE. 

Mr.  Feazle  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  cultivates  120  acres  on  section  36  of  Hopewell  township.  He  was 
born  in  Ohio,  June  6, 1830  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1845.  He  was  married  in  1842,  and  his  wife  died  Jan- 
uary 11. 1879,  leaving  four  children— Eliza  C.,  Melford  F.,  George  W.  and  Andrew  J.  He  comes  from  a  family  well 
known  in  Marshall  county,  as  energetic,  pushing  and  money-making.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  keeps  his  premises  in 
good  condition,  drives  a  good  team,  and  likes  his  friends. 

CHRISTIAN  PONTOW. 

Mr.  Pontow  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  35  in  Hopewell  township.  He  was  bom  in  Prussia  in  1815.  He 
came  10  America  in  1864,  finding  a  home  in  Marshall  county.  He  married  Augustina  Dagander  in  1859.  She  was 
born  in  the  same  place.  They  have  three  children— Hennstein,  Qustav  and  Albert.  Are  members  of  the  Evangel- 
ical church.  He  rents  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  under  good  cultivation. 

JOHN  McNEEL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  bora  October  15, 1833,  and  was  a  son  of  William  McNeel,  one  of  the  oldest  citi- 
zens of  the  county,  an  account  of  whose  brutal  murder  in  his  own  house  in  the  fall  ot  1862  is  given  elsewhere  in 
this  book.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss  Malinda  Davis,  born  in  1850,  and  by  her  he  has  two  children— 
Merty  I.  and  William  H.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  and  cultivates  50  acres  of  land. 

HENRY  E.  ROWLEY. 

Mr.  Rowley  was  born  in  Columbia  county.  New  York,  in  1841,  and  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  in  1865.  He  came 
to  Lacon  the  following  year,  and  has  established  with  his  brother  one  of  the  finest  nurseries  in  the  county.  They 
are  largely  engaged  in  the  cultivation  and  sale  of  small  fruit-,  supplying  the  home  market,  and  sending  large  sup- 
plies abroad.  Mr.  Rowley  served  throughout  the  war  in  the  89th  New  York,  making  a  good  record  as  a  soldier.  At 
its  close  he  came  west  and  married  Margaret  E.  Bell,  born  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  March  9, 1846. 

DANIEL  WINTER. 

Mr.  Winter  lives  in  Hopewell  township,  and  cultivates  150  acres.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  February  15, 
1836,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1856,  finding  a  home  in  Whiteside  county.  He  married  Martha  8.  McNeal.  April  10th, 
1862,  born  in  Marshall  county  in  1840.  They  have  six  children, — William  C.,  John,  Araminta,  Nelliet  Viola  and 
Daniel  E.  One  child,  Franklin,  died  in  1872. 

DANIEL  FOWLER. 

Mr-  Fowler  was  born  in  Butler  county  Ohio,  in  1834 ,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1852.  He  married  Miss 
Lucy  A.  McWhinney  February  27, 1855.  She  was  born  in  the  same  county  in  Ohio.  They  have  four  children- 
James  E.,  Alice,  William  and  Frederick.  They  are  members,  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  is  collector  of  his  township. 


732 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


He  was  one  of  Illinois'  gallant  soldiers,  with  the  scars  of  battle  on  his  person,  and  will  carry  them  to  his  grave 
He  enlisted  in  Co,  D,  77th  111  Vol.  Inf.,  in  1862,  and  served  actively  until  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Vrkansas  Post, 
January  11. 1863.  He  then  went  to  the  hospital,  and  when  convalescent  was  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps  at  St. 
Louis,  where  he  remained  until  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  St.  Louis.  He  is  pleasant  sociable,  gentle,  kind 
and  hospitable,  a  loving  husband,  kind  father  and  a  good  neighbor,  as  he  was  a  faithful  soldier  of  his  country. 

WILLIAM  BOYS  (deceased). 

Mr.  Boys  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Pa.,  February  23d,  1805,  and  married  Leuticia  Morgan,  a  native  of  the 
same  county,  born  June  8th,  1808,  They  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1834,  settling  in  Hopewell  township,  where  Mrs. 
Boys  died  in  1S80  Six  ch.ldren  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  three  are  still  living,— Charles,  Ellen,  Emily  (Mrs. 
Ramsey);  and  John,  Mary  (Mrs.  Norton)  and  Morgan,  deceased.  Mr.  Boys  died  October  2d,  1869.  He  left  a 
beautiful  residence  and  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres. 

JAMES  ANTRIM. 

Mr,  Antrim  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  July  21st.  1808,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1853.  He  married  Jane 
Hinds  in  184(1,  born  in  Ohio,  February  llth.  1821.  They  have  nine  children,— Elizabeth  A.,  FrancU,  John  A.,  Aman- 
da, Mary,  Thomas,  James  H.,  Minaxdand  Richard.  Mr.  Antrim  lives  on  section  26,  and  has  80  acres  of  land  under 
cood  cultivation. 

MARY  ROCHE. 

Hopewell. 

ENOCH  SAWYER. 

Farmer,  Hopewell  township. 

H.  F.  STONER. 

Mr.  Stoner  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  October  27. 1854.  He  came  west  in  1877,  and  found  a  home 
in  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  where  he  has  under  fine  cultivation  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  married  M  iss  N.  A* 
Owen,  March  18, 1879,  born  in  Ohio  in  1853. 

D.    F.    SuNDERLAND. 

Mr.  Snnderland  is  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  and  was  born  July  18th,  1847.  His  occupation  is  that  of 
a  liveryman ,  and  be  has  a  good  stock  of  horses  and  carriages  for  hire  at  all  \  imei.  His  wife  was  formerly  Jennie  A. 
Head,  born  in  Hennepin,  September  24th,  1852,  and  they  have  one  child,  Walter,  born  February  23d,  1876. 

LEMUEL  RUSSELL. 

I  was  bora  in  North  Carolina,  February  11, 1800.  and  set  out  for  the  west  by  sea  by  the  way  of  Savannah,  Mo- 
bile, and  New  Orleans  in  1829.  I  worked  some  months  as  a  carpenter  in  Mobile,  went  west  to  Vicksburg,  Miss., 
and  from  there  in  1830  I  came  to  Louisville,  Ky . ;  from  there  to  Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash,  in  Indiana.  Went  north 
to  Honey  Creek,  Otter  Cree»,  Fort  Harrison,  Terre  Haute,  north  near  Lafayette,  west  or  north-west  80  or  90  miles  to 
a  place  called  Amboy.  I  was  pleased  with  the  trip,  and  traveled  back  that  fall  by  the  way  of  New  Orleans  and 
Charleston.  My  step-father  and  mother  and  the  family  of  Jesse  Sawyer  were  getting  ready  to  move,  and  we  set  out 
with  wagons  and  teams  for  Illinois.  At  tor  a  long  and  tiresome  travel  arrived  in  Putnam  county  in  October,  1831. 
My  parents  settled  on  the  north  side  of  Round  Prairie.  1  helped  build  two  log  houses.  The  country  looked  gloomy; 
no  roads,  no  mills,  not  much  to  eat  but  Irish  potatoes.  I  visited  the  site  where  Lacon  now  is,  There  was  no  build- 
ing in  it,  but  saw  a  few  Indian  graves  and  an  Indian  trail  up  and  down  the  river.  The  beautiful  grass  was  unmo- 
lested till  Colonel  Strawn  hauled  a  log  through  the  village  to  designate  where  the  streets  should  be,  and  made  a 
sale  of  lots.  1  bought  twu  lots.  So  little  was  doing  here  that  I  went  down  to  Pekin,  and  got  employment  for  the 
winter  on  a  boat  for  Yazoo  or  Vicksburg.  The  previous  summer  was  wet  and  cold.  There  was  no  good  seed  corn. 
Seed  brought  from  the  Ohio  River  sold  as  high  as  $3.0J  per  bushel.  I  brought  seed  from  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  got  sugar 
and  corn  and  some  dried  fruit  at  St.  Louis,  bought  plows  at  Naples,  and  the  boat  brought  my  freight  to  Peoria  and 
put  it  out.  I  found  a  man  in  Peoria  that  had  a  large  sailboat,  which  I  chartered  to  bring  my  freight  to  Columbia 
landing.  We  could  not  obtain  a  loaf  of  bread,  and  matches  were  not  in  use,  so  we  rowed  the  boat,  for  we  had  a 
head  wind,  all  the  way,  and  eat  sugar  for  36  hours.  By  watching  the  way  we  found  the  entrance  to  the  lower  basin. 
Mine  was  the  first  freight  landed  that  I  knew  of  where  Lacon  now  is,  in  April  31,  though  there  had  been  trips  made 
to  Hennepin.  Hennepin  had  a  few  houses  when  I  came.  After  I  got  back  the  Black  Hawk  war  commenced,  and  1 
went  out  as  a  ranger  on  the  frontiers,  drew  rashions,  got  a  land  title  and  drew  wages,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  I 
entered  some  land  three  miles  east  of  Lacon.  I  married  February  23, 1833.  My  wife  was  born  in  Davis  county,  Ky., 
1809.  Her  name  was  Sarah  Ann  Edwards.  We  raised  eight  children— Willis  Russell,  Margaret  Ann,  Love,  Sarah 
Cathrine,  Lemuel,  Mary,  Amanda  Emma,  E.  Russell.  Four  survive,  and  four  have  passed  from  here. 

My  occupation  has  been  farming.  Of  late  years  I  have  tried  to  preach,  because  I  thought  I  could  point  out 
to  man  the  plan  of  salvation.  I  belong  to  no  visible  church.  I  believe  in  the  church  built  upon  the  foundation  of 
the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  Himself  being  the  chief  <-orner-stone.  Where  the  Bible  speaks  we  speak; 
where  it  is  silent  we  are  silent.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  w<ty,  the  truth  and  the  life;  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  733 

• 

by  Him.  The  gospel  teaches  that  God's  children  should  speak  the  sime  things .  We  cannot  nnite  only  by  the  gos- 
pel; we  cannot  walk  together  except  we  are  agreed.  I  would  like  to  be  a  peace-maker.  Offences  will  arise,  but  wo 
unto  him  by  whom  they  come.  I  do  not  permit  myself  to  be  called  "reverend,"  because  it  don't  belong  to  man; 
reverend  and  holy  i«  His  name,  meaning  God.  Of  late  I  have  traveled  extensively,  north,  south,  east  and  west. 

LEMUEL  RUSSELL. 
JOHN  WIER. 

Mr.  Wier  comes  from  a  Scotch  ancestry,  and  his  father  was  a  British  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
who  came  to  this  country  about  1777  and  served  during  the  war.  the  regimen?  to  which  he  belonged  being  stationed 
at  Ctstine.  Maine.  After  the  close  of  his  term  of  service,  he  was  granted  a  tract  of  land  in  the  province  of  New 
Brunswick,  but  the  cold,  inhospitable  climate  prevented  its  acceptance,  and  he  went  down  into  Maine  and  bought 
a  piece  of  heavy  timbered  land  near  what  is  now  Montville,  where  with  the  help  of  his  sons  he  cleared  a  large  f-irni. 
Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood.  When  19  years  old  the  war  of:  1812  was  raging,  and 
wishing  to  enlist,  he  obtained  the  signature  of  his  father,  and  writing  above  it  permission,  presented  it  and  was 
accepted.  He  served  one  year.  When  21  yean  old  he  walked  to  Wheeling,  Va.,  and  worked  by  the  week  until  he 
earned  $500.  when  through  the  rascality  of  a  man  from  whom  it  was  due,  he  became  involved  in  a  suit  for  the 
value  of  a  negro  who  had  ran  away,  and  was  obliged  to  pav  $1000.  He  stayed  here  20  years,  and  accumulated 
13,000,  which  he  brought  to  Illinois.  He  reached  here  in  the  year  1830,  paid  $500  for  160  acres,  entered  another 
quarter  beside  it,  and  went  to  work.  While  living  in  Virginia  he  married  Catherine  Byrne,  and  two  children  were 
born  to  them,  Henry  and  Benjamin .  the  latter  of  whom  was  accidentally  killed  after  coming  to  Illinois.  Daniel 
B.  was  born  heie.  Mr.  Wier  was  a  hard  worker  and  took  good  care  of  his  earnings,  which  he  invested  in  land.  He 
never  profited  by  the  necessities  of  the  poor,  nor  speculated  on  the  rise  and  fall  of  grain,  though  his  ready  means 
gave  ample  opportunity.  Replanted  large  orchards,  raised  large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs,  putting  his  surplus 
into  land.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  some  1200  acres,  and  his  estate  was  valued  at  from  {69,000  to  (75,000. 
Besides  his  own  family  he  raised  and  educated  six  or  sev -n  orphan  children,  caring  for  them  as  he  did  for  his 
own,  and  dealing  by  them  with  justice  and  liberality.  No  man  was  more  generally  and  justly  esteemed  for  his 
many  virtues  than  "  Uncle  Johnny,"  by  which  term  he  was  universally  known,  and  the  noblest  and  highest  tribute 
that  could  be  paid  him  is  the  simple  inscription  upon  his  monument.  "  He  was  a  friend  to  the  poor." 

Henry  Wier,  a  son  of  the  above,  succeeded  to  the  home  estate,  which  he  still  retains,  He  is  an  extensive 
farmer  and  manufacturer,  raising  an  average  of  4500  bushels  of  apples  annually.  In  1877  he  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  vinegar,  with  a  capacity  for  turning  out  3,000  barrels  annually.  Is  Hso  an  extensive  stock  raiser  and  ship- 
per. He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Caroline  Broaddus.  who  bore  him  one  child.  Susm;  and  the  second 
time  to  Adelia  McKinney,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  Mr,  Wier  is  perhaps  the  largest  land-holder  in  the 
county,  owning  1540  acres. 

ENOCH  STKAWN. 

Mr.  Strawn  was  born  in  Perry  county.  Ohio,  January  18th,  1822,  aad  moved  to  what  is  now  Marshall  county  in 
September  1829.  His  father  was  the  first  settler  in  western  Marshall  county,  and  when  he  came  the  Indians  were 
in  fall  possession.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  although  but  ten  years  old,  has  a  very  distinct  recollection  of  events, 
and  being  an  active,  ambitious  lad,  had  opportunities  of  seeing  and  observing  not  accorded  to  many.  He  had  many 
notable  hunting  experiences,  saw  much  of  Indian  life,  and  at  one  time  joined  a  party  of  young  fellows  in  a  canoe 
trip  to  Peoria,  then  having  but  very  few  white  inhabitants.  He  obtained  a  bounty  for  services  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war.  He  married,  April  7th,  1853.  Hester  Ann  Buskirk,  who  brouaht  him  two  daughters,  one  of  whom  is  married 
and  lives  in  Iowa,  and  the  other  is  Hessa,  reared  by  Mrs.  McManigle.  She  di*nl  January  10th,  1857,  and  he  married 
Juliette  Gore,  June  14th,  1858,  to  whom  were  born  ten  sons  and  daughters,— Addtr,  Cora  (dead),  Enoch  Landon,  Clara 
Alice,  George  W.,  Milan  (dead),  Marian,  Glenn,  Levicy,  Julia  (Pearl),  and  Matilda.  His  wiEe  died  in  January,  1880. 
Mr,  Strawn  has  360  acres  of  land  under  cultivation,  a  good  house  and  barn,  and  a  fine  display  of  stock,  etc.  His 
daughter  Addy  married  Mr.  Myers,  and  died  in  a  few  weeks  after  marriage.  He  has  served  many  years  as  justice  of 
the  peace  and  filled  other  public  offices.  Is  a  man  looked  up  to  in  the  community,  and  "well  to  do." 


734  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


R01SEKTS  TOWNSHIP. 


JULIA  A.  MALONE. 

Mrs.  Malone,  widow  of  Hartley  Malone,  deceased,  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  in  1810,  her  maiden  name 
being  Trout.  She  was  married  in  1831  to  Hartley  Malone,  born  in  Indiana,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1836  along 
with  Henry  L.  Crane.  The  first  Methodist  meeting  in  I. iron  was  held  at  their  cabinl  and  ol  the  original  M.  E. 
class  first  formed  here  Mrs.  Malone  is  the  sole  survivor.  For  several  years  Mr.  M.  worked  for  Jabez  Fisher  and  then 
moved  to  Roberts  township  where  he  opened  a  large  farm  and  was  noted  for  his  disinterested  hospitality.  For  many 
years  he  was  iustiee  of  the  peaca  and  was  the  first  postmaster  of  Varna.  He  was  an  earnest  Christian  all  his  life, 
served  as  class  leader  and  superintendent  of  Sabbath  schools,  was  a  mac  of  peace  and  averse  to  litigation.  He  died 
of  cancer  in  the  face.  They  had  two  children— William  8.  and  Emily  E.,  married  tD  Albert  Davis,  Mrs.  Malone 
lives  at  her  home  in  Varna. 

PHEBE  MATES. 

Mrs.  Mayes,  whose  maiden  name  was  Wright,  was  born  in  Ohio,  March  18tb,  1826,  and  came  to  Marshall  county 
in  1844,  where  she  married  Benjamin  Mooney  Sect,  12,  of  that  year.  He  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Ohio,  July  1, 
1818.  and  died  January  17.1864.  One  child,  Anna  H.,  was  born  to  them,  married  to  H.  C.  Little.  She  married  George 
Mayes,  October  3, 1869.  He  had  six  children  by  a  former  marriage— Franklin,  Laura,  Helen,  Wilmer,  Isabel  and 
George  D.  Mr.  Mayes  died  January  29, 1875.  t^ 

G.  F.  SWANSON. 

Mi.  Swanson  is  a  butcher  in  Varna  and  was  born  in  Sweden,  Aug.  7th,  1851.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1869,  set- 
tling in  Marshall  county.  He  keeps  a  good  supply  of  meats  and  attends  closely  to  his  business. 

ABEL  TIDMARSH. 

Mr.  Tidmarsh  was  born  in  England,  December  27, 1821,  and  married  Elizabeth  Witts,  in  January,  1856,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1865,  locating  in  Whitefield  township.  After  living  there  four  years  they  removed  to 
Roberts  township,  which  has  since  been  their  home.  They  have  four  children— Sarah  E.  Kowe,  Emma  W.,  Clara  J. 
Henry  W.  They  also  reared  and  educated  two  children  named  Day,  Mr.  Tidmarsh  has  a  fine  farm  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  and  has  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  township. 

ALEXANDER  WRIGHT. 

Mr,  Wright  is  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  lives  on  section  18  of  Roberts  township.  He  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  Ohio,  in  1821,  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1844,  and  married  Sarah  Jane  Myers,  January  1, 1846.  She  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  November  23.  1824.  They  have  two  children— John  B.,  born  October  11,  1856.  and 
Daniel,  born  July  17, 1859.  Mr.  Wright  is  a  successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  owns  a  very  pleasant  home.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  has  filled  numerous  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility,  and  been  honored  by  his  party  with 
a  nomination  to  the  legislature,  but  the  Republicans  being  in  the  ascendancy  he  was  not  elected.  He  is  much 
respected  by  his  townsmen. 

ENOCH  SAWYER. 

Hopewell,  111.    Postoffice,  Henry. 

H.  V.  CROSSLAND. 

Mr.  Crossland  is  a  farmer  and  school  teacher  residing  on  section  16.  He  is  a  native  of  Marshall  county,  born 
April  29, 1848.  April6,  1876,  he  married  Cyathia  L.  Broaddna,  who  was  born  in  this  township,  May  6,  1847,  They 
have  one  child,  George  M.,  born  July  II,  1878.  Mr.  Crossland  owns  320  acres  of  land,  snd  has  filled  various  local 
offices  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  community. 

MRS.  MINERVA  BROADDUS,  Widoir. 

Mrs.  Broaddus  was  born  in  Ohio,  January  25, 1828,  being  the  eldest  daughter  of  James  Hall,  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  Marshall  county,  and  carre  to  this  state  with  her  parents  in  1831.  She  was  married  to  Christopher  Broad- 
dus, who  was  born  September  20,  1819,  and  died  July  19, 1871.  Their  children  were  Cynthia  L.,  Helen  M.,  Jesica  H., 
Lucy  J.,  Florence  E.,  Marshall  H.,  Alice  V.,  James  H.  and  Almedia.  Mr.  Broaddus  left  his  family  in  excellent  cir- 
cumstances, owning  some  1500  acres  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  the  delightful  residence  now  occupied  by 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  735 

Mrs.  Broaddus  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  in  the  county.  After  her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  B,  assumed  control  of 
the  large  estate,  and  has  managed  it  with  skill  and  profit.  She  has  considerably  improved  the  grounds,  and  the 
old  home  has  been  rebuilt  at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  Her  children  have  married  well,  and  to  her  the  clouds  of  the  future 
have  a  silver  lining. 

JOHN  A.  PETERSON. 

Mr.  Peterson  was  born  in  Sweden.  January  31, 1849,  being  one  in  a  family  of  six  children,  of  A.  P.  Peterson, 
who  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1817,  married  Marv  C.  Isaacs  in  1845,  and  immigrated  with  his  family  to  the  United 
States,  locating  in  Marshall  county  in  1870.  The  other  children  are  Charles  August,  Andrew,  William,  Clara  C.  and 
Augusta  C.  Mr.  Peterson  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  cultivates  190  acres  of  land  in  this  township.  His  parents 
are  still  living. 

W.  H.  OLIN. 

Mr.  Olin  ix  a  farmer  by  occupation,  born  in  Ohio,  August  7, 1842.  August  7, 1865,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Helm, 
and  three  children  have  blessed  their  union,  viz, :  Frank,  born  April  24, 1868 ;  Grace,  born  August  13, 1872;  and  Aaron, 
born  June  4, 1875. 

S.  M.  GLENN. 

Sr.  Glenn  belongs  to  a  family  that  settled  in  early  times  in  Putnam  county,  where  his  father  died  and  several 
of  his  brothers  still  live.  He  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Indiana,  May  22,  1822,  moved  to  McLean  county  in  1857, 
remained  there  two  years,  went  to  Schuyler  county  in  1848,  and  came  to  Marshall  in  1859.  He  married  Caroline 
Conrad  in  1843,  born  in  Indiana  in  1829.  They  have  fonr  children— Mary  Roberts,  Julia  Disosway,  Charles  W.  and 
George  J.  Mr.  Glenn  has  been  supervisor  three  years,  and  assessor  eight  years.  He  isa  good  farmer,  and  the  best 
bee-keeper  in  the  county.  He  is  generous  to  his  friends,  just  to  his  enemies,  and  liked  by  all  whose  friendship  is 
worth  having. 

WM.  L.  FISHER. 

Mr.  Fisher  is  a  carpenter  by  occupation,  living  in  Varna.  lie  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Indiana,  April  12, 
1843,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  October.  1849.  April  7, 1864,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Bowers,  born  in  West  Vir- 
ginia in  1847.  They  have  three  children,— Alonzo  U.,  born  September  22, 1866;  Mary  Medrtth,  born  December  20, 
1868;  Bertha,  born  October  5, 1871. 

HIRAM  MYERS. 

Mr.  Myers  is  a  farmer,  whose  fine  homestead  of  300  acres  is  in  section  16  of  Roberts  township.  He  was  bora 
here  in  1833,  and  it  has  since  been  his  home.  His  residence,  one  of  the  finest  on  the  prairie,  is  surrounded  by  ever- 
greens and  fruit  trees,  and  embellished  without  and  within  with  evidence  of  wealth  and  good  taste.  His  wife,  for- 
merly Celia  H.  Hamilton,  was  born  June  8th,  1858.  and  their  fonr  children  are  named  Leonora,  born  July  14, 1861, 
David  Samuel,  Dec.  4, 1869,  Alvira,  April  21, 1869,  and  Iva  Dell,  March  11, 1875.  Mr.  Myers  is  one  of  the  live  men  of 
his  township,  and  comes  from  a  family  noted  for  thrift  and  enterprise,  and  likewise  for  being  the  oldest  and  most 
extensive  nurserymen  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

JOHN  WALLACE. 

Mr.  Wallace  is  by  trade  a  harness-maker,  which  he  abandoned  for  the  more  profitable  occupation  of  selling 
and  putting  up  pumps  of  all  kinds,  but  specin  lly  the  celebrated  rubber  pump  for  which  he  is  agent.  He  was  born 
iu  Ireland  in  1838,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1859.  and  married  Mary  Dillon  in  New  York  City,  her  native 
place.  1  hey  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Nellie,  born  October  3. 1864.  Mr.  Wallace  is  an  energetic  agent,  truthful  in 
his  statements  and  successful  in  his  business. 

JOHN  McCLusKEY. 

Mr.  McCIufckey  was  borii  in  Went  Virginia,  November  25th,  1838.  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  January ,  1864. 
He  married  Miss  Lncinda  Steward.  February  25th,  1867,  born  in  Putnam  county  May  22. 1847.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren,- Mary  L.,  Frances  S.,  John,  Frank  B,,  Virginia,  and  one  daughter  not  named.  Mr.  McC.  has  served  one  term 
as  collector  and  filled  other  offices. 

REUBEN  BROADDUS. 

Mr.  Broaddns  is  a  large  farmer,  owning  940  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  one  of  the  finest 
residences  on  the  prairie.  He  is  an  extensive  stock  grower  likewise,  and  is  credited  with  sending  to  Chicago  the 
best  herd  of  fat  cattle  ever  shipped  from  the  county.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Indiana.  July  6th,  1831.  came 
to  Marshall  county  in  1834,  and  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Forbes,  Nov.  21,  1855.  She  was  born  in  Hopewell  township, 
Sept.  12, 1835.  Thev  have  five  children, — Lawrence  W.,  Minnie  A.,  Warren  A.,  Mary  H.  and  Andrew  R. 

JAHU  BUCKINGHAM. 

Mr.  Buckingham  was  born  in  Woodford  county,  Dae.  20, 1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Judge  Buckingham,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  and  large  land-holders  of  ffoodford  county.  After  completing  his  education  he  enlisted  in  the  77th 
regiment  Illinois  volunteers,  and  did  his  full  share  of  fighting,  never  shirking  duty  and  never  hesitating  to  tollow 


736  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

where  any  dared  to  lead.  In  1863  he  wedded  Miss  Carrie  M.  Jenkins,  of  Cayug*  county,  New  York,  born  M»y  7th, 
1840.  She  was  highly  educated  and  a  very  successful  teacher,  eminent  for  her  social  worth  and  many  virtues.  They 
have  four  children  living  and  three  are  dead.  The  living  are  William  F.,  Benjamin  J.,  Frank  I.  and  Ada  E.  Since 
his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Buckingham  has  been  in  the  stock  business. 

MARTIN  KING, 

Varna,  111. 

LA  FAYETTE  BROWN, 

Varna,  111. 

MRS.  E.  B.  NEVILLE. 

Mrs.  Neville  is  a  well  known  teacher  of  the  piano  and  organ,  She  is  daughter  of  George  H.  Shaw,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  in  the  county,  and  widely  respected.  She  married  E.  B.  Neville,  January  19. 1862,  a  graduate  of  Eureka 
college,  and  attorney  at  law.  They  reside  on  the  old  homestead.  Mrs.  N.  is  sister  of  the  Hon.  T.  M.  Shaw  and  the 
talented  Mrs.  Dr.  Tesmer,  of  Sparland,  and  is  widely  respected  and  beloved. 

F.  F.  MYERS, 

Varna,  I1L 

P.  CARLSON, 

Varna,  111. 

WILLIAM  SCARBOROUGH. 

Mr.  Scarborough  is  a  painter  by  trade,  living  in  Varna,  Illinois.  lie  WHS  born  in  New  Jersey,  March  29, 1853. 
and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1857.  Married  Kachel  A.  Williams.  May  19th,  1879.  born  in  Livingston  county,  111., 
February  14th.  1865.  Mr.  8.  is  clerk  of  the  village  of  Vurna. 

PETER  BOWMAN, 

Varna,  Illinois. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS. 

Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Ohio,  August  20th,  1816,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1849.  January  llth,  1844  he 
married,  in  Ohio,  Miss  Nancy  IIiland.  They  have  four  children  living  and  one  deceased,  the  living  being  Eunice  A., 
Daniel,  Clara  and  Mary  E.  William  M.  died  July  19, 1854,  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

O.  P.  NELSON. 

Roberts  township.  i 

OSCAR  STURMBORG.  , 

Roberts  township. 

ABRAHAM  DELONG. 

Mr.  Delong  is  a  resident  of  Varna,  and  a  mason  by  trade.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  October  7tb,  1805. 
Moved  to  New  Jersey  in  1830,  where  he  lived  three  >ears;  thence  moved,  in  1833.  to  New  York  City,  where  he  re- 
mained nine  years,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  the  spring  of  1812.  February  22, 1836,  he  married  Anna  E.  Con- 
ley,  by  whom  he  bad  ten  children. -George,  Isaac,  Henr\ ,  Albert,  Adrian,  Emily  E..  Adaline,  Margaret.  Joseph  N. 
and  Mary.  Albert  died  May  llth.  1864.  Mrs.  Delong  died  October  4th,  1864  and  in  June,  1867.  he  married  Mrs. 
Caroline  F.  Taylor  (Hester),  who  died  in  August,  1871,  leaving  two  children,— Lucinda  and  Albert.  January  1.  1873, 
Mr.  Delong  married  Miss  Martha  Malone,  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  August  4, 1829. 

HENRY  DELONG. 

Roberts  township. 

JOHN  C.  SHIELDS. 

Mr.  Shields  is  a  farmer,  and  cultivates  fifty  acres  of  land.  He  was  born  on  Ox  Bow  Prairie,  Putnam  county, 
August  31st.  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Calvin  Shields  an  old  settler  and  wealthy  Jarmer,  born  in  Indiana. 

JOHN  MYERS. 

Mr.  Myers  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  Myers,  who  came  to  this  countv  in  the  spring 
of  1832  and  during  the  Black  Hawk  troubles  were  "  forted  up  "  in  the  Jesse  Roberts  place.  His  father  purchased  a 
claim  of  a  man  named  Redmond,  opened  a  large  farm  and  lived  and  died  here.  Their  son  John  succeeded  to  the 
homsstead,  which  he  greatly  improved  and  lives  upon  to-day.  When  arrived  at  man's  estate  he  married  Mrs. 
Bell,  a  widow,  with  an  only  child,  Andrew  J.,  now  a  leading  lawyer  and  political  writer  of  Peoria.  They  bad 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 


737 


six  children  born  to  them,  viz.,  Phebe,  Laura,  Amanda.  Henrietta.  Douglas  and  Mary.  Amanda  and  Henrietta  are 
married.  Mrs.  Myers  died  in  Lacon  a  few  years  ago,  and  Mr.  M.  married  Sarah  Oliver,  of  Clinton,  111.  Mr,  Myers 
has  been  very  snccessf  ul,  and  owns  in  addition  to  big  home  farm  and  others  in  this  county,  large  tracts  in  Kansas. 
He  has  served  many  years  as  supervisor,  and  filled  various  offices  with  entire  satisfaction.  Be  is  a  large  reader  and 
well  informed  on  the  various  topics  of  the  day,  is  energetic,  knows  how  to  drive  a  good  trade,  and  seldom  forgets 
his  friends. 

LIVINGSTON  ROBERTS. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Roberts  was  the  first  settler  in  Marshall  county,  and  he  is  the  oldest  surviving  resident,  hav  • 
ing  come  here  in  1829.  He  assisted  in  making  the  large  farm  he  occupies,  and  upon  the  death  of  his  father  succeed- 
e  1  to  tbe  property.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Dent,  and  he  raised  a  large  family  of  sons  and  daughters,  to  each  of  which 
he  gave  a  farm.  Mr.  Roberts  is  yet  ha'.e  and  hearty,  and  labors  daily  in  the  field.  He  has  a  large  estate  with  good 
buildings  upon  it.  and  is  very  comfortably  fixed.  He  has  filled  various  offices  in  the  township,  and  no  man  is  more 
widely  known  or  generally  respected.  A  more  extended  sketch  of  his  settlement  here  is  given  elsewhere. 


738 


RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


BELLE  PLAIN  TOWNSHIP. 


JAMES  SHANKLIN. 

Mr.  Shanklin  is  a  fanner  of  Belle  Plain  township,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1810.  and  moved  to  Marshall 
county  in  1853.  In  1827  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Bannington.  They  had  four  children— William,  Ann,  Joseph  and 
Margaret  Jane.  The  first  three  are  dead,  Mr.  Shanklin  has  eight  Brand  children.  His  present  wife  was  Mrs,  Per- 
melia  Bell.  They  were  married  October  1, 1869.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of  165  acres,  and  has  a  pleasant  home. 

CHARLES  I).  HODGE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  farmer,  living  in  Belle  Plain  township,  He  was  born  in  New  York,  and  came  to 
Marshall  county  in  1855.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Dusten,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  1853.  She  was  born  in 
Orafton,  New  York,  November  22, 1828.  They  have  eight  children  living— Dora  Charles  Homer,  Myron,  Elmer, 
Chalmers,  Snmner  and  Annie.  Joseph  died  September  13. 1856.  Mr.  Hodge  cultivates  20  acres  ef  land. 

HORACE  C.  THARP. 

Mr.  Tharp  is  a  farmer,  living  in  Belle  Plain  township.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  May  2, 1836.  He  married  Miss 
Barbary  Vandament,  March  1, 1860.  They  have  four  children— Junisa  J.,  Sarah  E.,  George  E.  and  James  C.  Mr. 
Tharp  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1856,  moved  to  Cedar  county,  Mo.,  in  1866,  remaining  there  three  years,  then  went 
to  Joseph  county,  Mo.,  living  there  three  years,  and  returned  to  Marshall  county  in  1874. 

ELAM  J.  SNOW. 

Mr.  Snow  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  29  in  Belle  Plain  township.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1843,  and  married  Mrs. 
Mary  Perry  (McKinr.ey).  She  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  and  died  in  February,  1876,  leaving  two  children- 
William  H.  and  Andrew  J.  Mr.  Snow  moved  to  Indiana  in  1849,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  1856.  He  has  160 
acres  of  hind  under  good  cultivation. 

JOHN  F.  HATTON. 

Mr.  Hatton  comes  from  an  old  family  that  settled  here  early  in  the  history  of  the  countv,  and  has  furnished 
citizens  who  have  filled  important  positions.  He  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1823,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  along 
with  his  parents  in  1835.  He  has  bsen  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  on  the  prairie.  He 
married  Elizabeth  McKinney,  and  they  have  eleven  children— Mary  Jane,  Mark,  Thomas,  Jacob,  Helen,  Sarah  E., 
Nancy  A.,  Eda,  Caroline,  Francis,  Tine.  Mr.  Hatton  is  well  to  do  and  takes  the  world  easy. 

GEORGE  DORFF. 

Mr.  Dorff  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  2,  and  cultivates  seventy  acres  of  land.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
in  the  month  of  February,  1847,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1859.  After  remaining  here  nine  years,  he  went  to 
Missouri,  where  he  lived  nine  years,  and  then  returned  to  Marshall  county.  In  1870  he  married,  in  Missouri,  Miss 
Mary  Geter,  and  they  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom,  Mary  E.  and  Emma  E.,  are  living.  Etta  May  and 
Mary  M.  died  in  Missouri. 

MRS.  NANCY  PERRY. 

Mrs.  Perry's  maiden  name  was  Hattan,  and  she  was  born  in  Virginia,  in  1825.  She  came  to  Marshall  county 
with  her  parents  in  1831,  and  married  Elijah  Perry.  October  9, 1847.  He  was  an  extensive  farmer,  and  left  a  large 
family  of  enterprising  boys,  who  have  grown  to  men's  estate  and  are  reputable,  useful  citizens.  She  had  nine  chil- 
dren, viz.,  Mary  M,,  William  J.,  Sophia  J.,  Anna.  Zachariah,  Nellie  A..  Maggie  M.,  Elijah  F.,  Andrew  E.  and  Cora 
T.  Her  mother  still  lives  at  the  good  old  age  of  84  years,  and  has  six  children,  48  grand  children,  and  35  great  grand 
children  living. 

ROBERT  HESTER. 

Mr.  Hester  is  a  farmer,  and  his  home  is  on  section  36,  where  he  owns  400  acres  of  fine  farming  land.  He  was 
born  in  Boon  county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1847,  where  he  married  Miss  Lydia  Davidson,  born 
in  New  York,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Erne  Z.  Mrs.  H.  died  May  14, 1863,  and  he  wedded  Nancy  McKeever  to 
whom  has  been  born  two  children— Simeon  L.  and  Cora  V.  Mr.  Hester  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county, 
and  has  filled  various  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility.  Has  served  one  term  as  sheriff,  has  been  a  member  of  all 


HlOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  780 

important  conventions,  and  bis  name  favorably  mentioned  as  a  member  of  the  legislature.  He  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  war  and  emancipation,  and  always  occupies  the  front  rank  in  every  movement  that  tends  to  elevate  the 
human  race,  lie  has  just  completed  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  county. 

MRS.  ELLEN  A.  McCuNE. 

Mrs,  McCune  is  a  resident  of  Belle  Plain  township,  and  owns  160  acres  of  land.  She  was  born  in  Cumberland 
county,  Pa.,  her  maiden  name  being  Gibb.  She  married  Hugh  McCune,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
came  to  Marshall  county  in  1856  She  has  five  children  living,— William,  John  W.,  Ellen  3.  (Bell),  Mary  W.  (Mains', 
and  Elizabeth  K.  (Feazle);  Elizabeth  Emeline,  an  infant,  deceased;  and  Samuel,  a  son,  who  went  away  from  home 
and  is  supposed  to  be  dead,  not  having  been  heard  from  for  thirteen  years. 

JESSE  DRAKE. 

Mr.  Drake  is  a  resident  of  La  Rose,  and  a  dealer  in  grain,  lumber  and  coal.  He  was  born  in  Monroe  connty, 
Pa.,  and  came  to  Li  Bo«e  in  1872.  In  August,  1876,  he  married  inuetta  Welty.  Tney  have  two  children,— Mabel 
and  Maud. 

JOHN  N.  McNEFF. 

Mr.  McNeff  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1864,  limiting  in  Marshall  county  in  1866.  He  is 
a  stock  broker  by  occupation,  and  lives  in  Lri  Hone.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  K.  Sander,  and  they  have 
had  seven  children  -Augusta  \.,  Sarah  E.,  Sherman  K.,  John  G.  Henry  E.,  Vndrew  C.  and  Nellie  A.  Sherman  E. 
died  March  16, 1874. 

JOHN  MULLEN. 

Mr.  Mullen  is  by  occupation  a  farmer.  He  was  born  in  Woodford  county.  May  4th,  1850,  and  married  Miss 
Elvira  ( 'row,  July  3d,  1876.  They  have  one  child,  named  Samuel  Mullen. 

MOSES  A.  MESSENGER. 

Mr.  Messenger  was  born  in  New  Pork,  in  March,  1840,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1860.  He  is  a  justice  of 
che  peace,  and  is  engaged  in  merchandising.  In  Miy,  1874,  he  married  Margaret  A.  Martin,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Leora  I.  Mr.  M.  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  77th  regiment  III.  Inf.  Vols.  during  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion, 
and  participated  in  seventeen  engagements,  being  wounded  at  Yicksbnrg.  He  served  three  years,  and  was  mustered 
out  at  Wheeling,  West  Virginia. 

JESSE  GEORGE, 

Belle  Plain  township.  Marshall  connty.  111. 

RICHARD  W.  JUSTICE, 

Belle  Plain  township,  Marshall  county,  111. 

ELM  IRA  JUSTICE. 

Belle  Plain  township,  Marshall  county,  III. 

THOMAS  ANTRIM, 

Belle  Plain  township,  Marshall  county,  111. 


740  RECORDS  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


BENN1NGTON  TOWNSHIP. 


A.  J.  SIGNER. 

Mr.  Signer  is  a  carpenter  by  occupation,  and  was  burn  in  Pennsylvania.  He  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
in  1849,  and  to  Marshall  county  in  1873.  He  served  three  years  and  one  month  in  Co.  C  Fourth  U.  8.  Cavalry,  and 
was  in  the  battles  of  Culpepper  Court  House,  the  seige  of  Vickcburg,  at  Chattanooga,  Fort  Douelson,  and  numerous 
smaller  engagements.  March  28. 1870,  he  married  Mrs.  Irene  Williamson,  whose  maiden  name  was  Phelps.  They 
have  two  children.  Frank  O.  and  Charles  I.,  and  Mrs.  8.  has  one  child,  George  E.  Williamson,  by  her  first  marriage. 
Mr.  W  lliamson  Mrs.  Signer's  first  husband,  served  three  years  during  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion, 
in  Co.  C.  72d  Illinois  Inf.  He  participated  in  21  pitched  battles,  was  wounded  seven  times,  and  died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  the  battle  of  Shilob.  He  held  the  rank  of  sergeant. 

E.  H.  WARD. 

Mr.  Ward  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  18,  and  cultivates  165  acres  of  lard.  He  was  born  in  Franklin  county, 
Indiana,  and  came  to  Marshall  connty  in  1869.  October  1.  1874,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Skelton,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Robert  A. 

SAMUEL  DORSET. 

Mr.  Dorsey  is  a  citizen  of  Bennington*  township,  and  is  by  occupation  a  farmer.  He  was  born  in  West  Ver- 
einia,  in  1831,  and  came  to  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  in  1869.  He  married  Joanna  llolliday  in  1851,  and  six  children 
have  been  born  to  them,— William  C.,  Samuel,  James  Fillmore,  Mary  Bell,  Ortie  and  Charlie.  During  the  war  he 
entered  the  Union  army  and  served  in  Co.  Q,  17th  W.  Va.  Int.  At  ite  close  he  came  to  Butland,  and  for  some  time 
followed  merchandising,  after  which  he  bought  the  farm  he  now  occupies.  He  owns  240  acres  of  land,  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation. with  a  fine  residence  and  outbuildings.  He  has  been  township  supervisor,  ban  filled  other  official 
positions,  and  is  a  leading  and  influential  citizen. 

R.  J.  VAUGHN.  , 

Mr.  Vaughn  is  a  citizen  of  Woodford  county,  residing  near  the  line  between  Woodford  county  and  Benmngton 
township,  Marshall  county.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  June  18th,  1837.  In 
1858  he  married  Anneht  Sweet,  and  two  children  IttLVf  been  born  to  them,  Alva  and  Cora,  Mr.  Vaughn  served  one 
year  during  the  war,  in  Co.  D,  llth  111.  Inf.,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Mobile  and  several  other  engagements. 

REV.  HARVEY  TROWBRIDGE. 

Mr.  Trowbridge  is  an  eloquent  and  influential  minister  in  the  Christian  church,  living  in  Bennington,  of  which 
township  he  was  one  of  the  first  settlers.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Indiana,  in  1826.  and  married  Sarah 
Stafford  in  1851.  They  have  four  children— Thomas  L..  Mary  L.  Evans,  Nancy  L  and  Sarah  L,  Thomas  and  family 
are  members  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Mr.  Trowbridge  is  among  the  very  few  ministers  who  are  successful  farmers 
or  business  men,  and  enjoy  a  competence  earned  outside  of  the  profession.  He  has  a  large  farm  with  good  im- 
provements and  wnen  hot  at  work  for  the  Master  follows  the  plow  or  the  reaper,  He  is  a  good  citizen,  an  eloquent 
divine  and  esteemed  by  all  who  kuow  him. 

MARY  D.  BROOKS. 

Mrs,  Brooks  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  there  received  her  education.  She  was  married  in  June, 
1837,  to  Mr,  Brooks,  and  eight  children  were  born  to  them,  viz.,  John  D.,  Cordelia  King,  George  W.,  Harriet  M. 
Wilder,  Charles  E.,  Sarah  E.  Stratton  and  Mary  A.  Another  daughter,  Leonora,  died  September  17,  1851,  Mrs. 
Brooks  owns  and  cultivates  160  acres. 

CHARLES  S.  EDWARDS. 

Mr.  Edwards  was  born  in  Maryland,  and  when  five  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Kentucky.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  1831,  spending  one  season  in  Putnam  county,  and  teaching  the  first  school  ever  taught  on  Clear  Creek. 
He  came  to  Shaw's  Point  in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  lived  there  36  years.  He  opened  a  large  farm.  w»s  successful  in 
business,  and  retired  with  a  competence.  He  sold  out  to  Reuben  Broaddus.  In  1826  he  married  Mary  B.  Edwards, 
and  ten  children  were  born  to  them.  Two  died  in  infancy,  three  afterwards,  and  five  are  now  living.  William  D. 
was  a  very  promising  lawyer  who  studied  in  Henderson,  Ky.,  and  began  practice  in  Lacon,  where  he  died.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 


741 


died  when  27  years  old,  and  is  buried  in  the  Lacon  cemetery.  Mrs.  Edwards  died  in  1875.  The  living  children  are 
Robert  B.,  a  lawyer  of  Lacon ;  Charles  8.,  superintendent  of  schools;  John,  a  farmer  in  Bennington;  Lydia  A.  Bell, 
of  Minouk,  and  Mary  0.  Brevoort,  of  Rutland.  Mr.  Edwards  lives  near  Rutland,  and  is  still  in  the  enjoyment  of 
fair  health.  lie  has  filled  many  responsible  positions,  and  iuis  been  an  influential  citizen,  highly  esteemed,  and 
deserving  the  good  opinion  of  the  community. 

THOMAS  J.  THOMPSON. 

Mr.  Thompson  lives  on  section  21,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates  240  acres.  He  was  born  in  Belmont  county, 
Ohio  in  1825  married  Amanda  -M,  <  'undid,  of  East  Virginia,  in  1849,  and  came  to  this  county  the  same  season. 
They  have  eight  children— John  8.,  Susan  J.,  Thomas  F.,  Lucy  A.,  Isaac  O.,  Charles  H.,  Eva  B.  and  Willey  W.  He 
has  served  ten  years  as  assessor,  with  satisfaction  to  all.  He  is  a  Democrat,  but  never  blindly  partisan,  and  sup- 
poits  those  he  believes  to  be  the  better  men.  He  wields  a  large  influence  in  his  township,  is  looked  to  as  an  advisor 
in  neighborhood  differenceo,  and  exerts  a  large  influence  for  good. 


742  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


lUCHLAND  TOWNSHIP. 


HENRY  T.  BARNES. 

Mr.  Barnes  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  section  26,  bis  postoffice  bein^  Waahburn.  Woodford  county.  He  was  born 
in  Marshall  county.  111.,  in  Bichland  township,  about  two  miles  from  their  present  homestead.  He  is  a  son  of  Bobt . 
and  Julia  Barnes,  natives  of  the  state  of  Delaware,  who  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1830.  Mr.  Barnes  married 
Miss  Annis  Little  in  1857.  She  also  was  born  in  this  county  and  township.  She  in  the  daughter  of  Nafhanial  and 
Mildred  Little,  who  located  in  this  county  about  1834.  They  have  three  children  living,— Charles  N..  Annie  P  , 
George  O.,— and  three  deceased.  Mr.  Barnes  is  a  member  of  the  M.  K.  church.  He  is  the  owner  of  eight  hundred 
acres  of  land.  They  are  the  oldest  residents  of  the  county.  Mr.  Barnes  and  wife  have  never  been  out  of  their 
native  state.  He  was  the  second  white  child  born  in  Marshall  county,  and  is  fie  first  born  m  the  county  now  living. 

JOHN  A.  KEEDY. 

Mr.  Keedy  was  born  in  Orange  county.  Indiana,  in  1820,  and  came  here  along  with  his  parents  and  brothers  in 
1834.  Some  account  of  the  family  is  given  in  the  history  of  Bichland  township  In  1841  he  married  Caroline  M. 
Foster,  born  in  Kentucky.  They  have  one  child  living,  Ambrose  W.,  born  October  30th.  1842.  Several  oth- 
ers were  born  to  them,  and  have  passed  to  the  other  side.  They  have  long  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  of 
which  he  is  steward  and  trustee.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of  300  acres,  has  filled  nearly  all  the  local  offices  of  the  town- 
ship, settled  important  estates,  and  in  various  ways  served  the  public.  The  trusts  they  have  placed  in  his  hands 
have  never  been  betrayed,  and  when  he  dies  there  should  be  inscribed  above  his  grave, 

"HEBE  LIES  AN  HONEST  MAN." 

SAMUEL  H.  ILIFF. 

Mr.  lliff  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  1  of  Richlaud  township,  with  postoffice  at  Lacon.  He  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1852,  and  has  ever  since  resided  here,  laboring  on  the  farm.  In  1875  he  wedded  Miss  Nellie  Clement,  born 
in  Titusville,  Penn.,  to  whom  one  child,  Victor  C..  born  in  1878.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  His  farm  of 
160  .lores  is  finely  cultivated,  and  has  tirsUelaas  buildings,  Mr.  lliff  is  active  and  energetic,  and  if  health  is  spared 
will  in  a  few  yean  become  wealthy. 

\V  i  i.u  \ M  SHEOBART. 

Mr.  Sheobart  was  born  in  Germany  in  1839,  and  emigrated  to  the  U .  S.  in  1868,  settling  in  Marshall  coun- 
ty. He  married  Miss  Augusta  Lents,  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1369.  Shn  was  born  in  Germany  in  1831.  They  have 
one  child,  Louis  D.,  born  in  February,  1870, 

LUKE  KEEFE. 

Mr.  Keefe  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  born  in  Ireland  in  1837.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1862,  and  has 
been  a  resident  of  Marshall  county  since  1874.  He  cultivates  72  acres  of  land.  In  1861  he  married  Mary  Wright . 
They  have  taken  a  child  to  raise  named  Joseph  Fox. 

GEORGE  W.  KUNKLE. 

Mr.  Kunkle  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1835,  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1855,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  sec- 
tion 8,  Bichland  township,  where  he  follows  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  and  cultivates  80  acres  of  land.  In  1872  ho 
married  Sarah  J.  Owen,  daughter  of  Timothy  Owen,  and  they  have  two  children,  Ralph  and  Lloyd.  Mr.  Kunkle 
has  a  beautiful  residence,  and  his  farm  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

HENRY  B.  BARNES. 

Mr.  Barnes  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  Delaware,  December  4. 1803,  Flis  parents  were  descended  on  the  pa- 
ternal side  from  an  old  English  family,  while  on  his  mothers  he  traces  his  lineage  to  the  Welsh.  In  1806  his  father 
moved  to  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  in  a  heavy  timbered  country,  where  he  labored  at  clearing  land  and  on  the  farm 
until  1823,  when  he  removed  to  Marion  county  until  1834.  In  1831  he  married  Mary  Dickinson,  who  died  the  suc- 
ceeding year,  leaving  him  one  child,  now  Mrs.  Carrithers.  An  elder  brother  and  sister  were  living  in  Illinois,  and 
in  1834,  accompanied  bv  his  mother  and  little  girl,  he  came  west,  rinding  a  home  with  his  sister.  Mrs.  Dever,  until  a 
cabin  was  built  on  the  site  of  his  present  home.  In  1839  tie  married  Jane  J.,  daughter  of  Colonel  Kilgore,  a  well 
known  citizen  who  still  survives,  and  has  been  to  him  more  than  a  "  companion  "  for  over  forty  years.  She  is  the 
mother  of  six  sons  and  daughters,  viz.,  Isabel,  Louisa,  Samuel  M.,  Henry  E.  W.  (doctors  of  Fairbury,  111.},  Oliver  S. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  743 

and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes  have  led  lung  and  useful  lives,  which  bid  fair  to  be  duplicated 
in  their  children.  They  still  live  on  the  old  homestead  and  carry  on  the  farm,  which  he  has  cultivated  for  nearly 
half  a  century.  Their  children  arc  comfortably  settled  in  the  world,  and  the  future  it  would  seem  haa  neither  care 
nor  sorrow  fur  their  aged  parents.  Mr.  Barnes  fans  served  as  supervisor,  and  filled  other  responsible  positions. 
Himself  and  family  have  been  life-long  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 

JOHN  M.  ILIFF. 

Mr.  Iliff  was  born  in  I'orry  county,  Ohio,  near  Somerset.  April  10, 1827.  He  came  to  this  State  with'his  par- 
ent in  1831,  and  located  near  Pekin,  and  moved  to  this  countv,  near  Lacon,  in  the  spring  of  1832.  In  the  fall  of 
1834  he  moved  with  his  father  to  section  14,  where  he  lived  until  1851.  He  married  a  Miss  Caroline,  daughter  of  S. 
1'.  Henthorn.  in  1849.  born  in  Perry  county.  Ohio,  June  30. 1828.  bvwhom  he  had  seven  children— liobert  W  ,  Sam- 
uel H.,  Clarissa  J..  William  T.,  Lewellen  C.,  Mary  E..  and  one  deceased .  Mrs.  Iliff  died  April  7, 1864,  He  married 
Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Grove  (Houck),  December  18, 1867.  She  wns  born  near  Lancaster,  Ohio.  She  died  September  7, 1875, 
leaving  one  child.  Lizzie,  by  a  former  marriage.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Miss  Amelia  Springer,  June  27, 1877. 
She  was  born  in  tkis  county  in  184'S,  taught  school  nearly  nine  years  in  Evans,  and  six  months  in  Sparland.  She  is 
adaugbter  of  Isaac  and  Charlotte  Springer.  They  hare  oce  child.  Eddy,  and  are  m9  mbers  of  the  M.  R.  church  of 
which  Mr.  Iliff  is  steward  and  class  leader,  and  has  been  delegate  t"  conference  meetings  of  the  church  at  Peoria, 
Monmouth  and  Hock  [stand.  He  owns  561  acres  of  land,  nearly  all  in  cultivation  His  father,  liobert,  served  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war.  lie  was  born  in  Parks  county.  Pa.,  March  25,  1801,  and  died  December  6, 1870.  His  mother, 
(Williams),  was  born  March  9,  1805,  in  Washington,  Pa,,  died  March  18,  1862.  Mr.  Iliff  is  the  only  child  (of  five) 
living. 

JACOB  REDIGER. 

Mr.  Hediger  was  born  in  Woodford  county  in  1842.  and  came  to  Marshall  in  1870.  and  married  Mils  Mary  F. 
Dnchense  in  1849.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  section  21.  and  is  a  substantial,  hard-working,  industrious  and  suc- 
cessful farmer.  He  has  a  beautiful  residence  and  a  pleasant  family  of  four  children— Elenora,  William  H,,  Alford 
and  Mary  F, 

A.    PlCHEREAU. 

Mr.  Picherean  is  a  native  of  France,  from  whence  he  came  with  his  parents  when  a  boy,  and  first  settled  in 
Black  Partridge  in  1833.  He  was  a  mechanic,  and  worked  in  various  places  until  1840,  when  he  came  to  Marshall 
count)',  litre  he  opened  a  large  farm  and  married  Levicy,  daughter  of  John  Strawn.  He  was  a  hard  worker  and 
good  manager,  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  wife  they  accumulated  a  handsome  property  and  removed  to  Lacon, 
where  she  died.  Six  sons  and  daughters  were  given  them,  viz.,  Victorene,  Arceue,  Josephene,  Asahel,  Frank  and 
Hortense.  Asahel  is  a  rising  lawyer  of  Galesburg  the  eldest  daughter  is  Mrs.  Joseph  Wallace,  and  the  second,  Mrs. 
Moats.  In  1879  Mr.  Picherean  was  married  again  to  Mrs.  Maggie  Arnold,  and  moved  to  his  farm,  where  he  ia  doing 
well.  He  is  widely  known  and  as  widely  respected. 

WILLIAM  J.  RAMSEY. 

Mr.  Ramsey  is  a  native  of  Cecil  Co.,  Mary  land, where  he  was  born  in  1834.  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents 
in  1837,  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  married  Mary  A.  Dodds  in  1859,  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
Ohio.  They  have  one  child,  John  R.,  born  in  1862.  Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  owns  148 
acres  of  land  under  excellent  cultivation  and  a  fine  residence.  Mr.  Ramsey  has  a  wide  acquaintance  and  is  much 
respected  as  a  friend  and  neighbor,  and  Mrs.  R.  is  a  woman  of  much  more  than  ordinary  ability . 

WILLIAM  H.  GRAY. 

Mr.  Gray  in  descended  from  an  old  family  that  came  here  previous  to  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  his  mother, 
Mrs  Polly  Gray,  is  still  living.  He  was  born  in  1839  and  followed  farming  all  his  life.  In  1858  he  married  Miss  W. 
A .  Kircher,  born  in  Miamisbnrg,  Pa.,  in  1841,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  John  R.,  born  in  1858.  They  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  church  at  Phelps  chapel.  He  has  filled  various  township  offices  and  owns  187  acres  of  good  land  in  this 
township  under  excellent  cultivation,  and  160  acres  in  Bennington. 

JAMES  CAIN. 

Mr.  Cain  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  residents  in  this  section,  having  settled  here  in  1835.  He  was  born  in 
Green  county. Pa..io  1808.  He  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  county,  West  Va.,  the  same  year  and  lived  there  many 
years.  In  1832  he  married  Mary  Burns  and  emigrated  to  Illinois,  then  scarcely  freed  from  the  Indians.  He  opened 
a  large  farm,  planted  an  orchard,  and  in  course  of  time  has  grown  rich,  but  remains  upon  the  old  homestead  and 
looks  after  his  affairs.  Taey  have  one  child,  Mrs.  Amelia  Stater.  Mr.  Cain  owns  400  acres  of  land. 


744  RECORDS   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME, 


LA  PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP. 


ESQ.  EDWIN  S.  JONES. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Union  Town,  Fayette  connty,  Pa.,  Feb.  9th.  1805.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only  2W 
years  old,  and  his  mother  moved  to  Sciota  Valley,  BOBS  county,  O.,  in  1808.  He  served  bis  time  as  a  tanner  in  Chil- 
licothe,  Ohio,  until  1525.  when  he  moved  from  there  to  Fort  Finley,  where  he  started  a  tannery,  and  was  the 
first  elected  treasurer  of  Hancock  county.  He  came  out  to  Peoria,  111.,  Nov.  8th,  1831,  and  thence  came  up  to  Chil- 
licothe,  where  he  wintered,  and  in  April.  1832,  enlisted  in  Capt.  Bads'  company,  of  Fenria.  for  service  against  the 
Indians,  participating  in  Stillman's  defeat,  an  account  of  which  is  given  elsewhere.  He  married  Mine  Emily  Root 
in  Boss  county,  Ohio,  Dec.  10th,  1827.  She  was  born  in  Koxberrv,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  May  10th,  1807.  They 
have  four  children  living.  -Belle  (Easton),  Angeline  C.  (McCuilongh),  Albert  W.  and  Julia  J.  (Edminstcr);  and  four 
have  died.  Hattie  (Foster)  and  Julius  E.  died  after  reaching  maturity.  Are  members  of  the  church  of  Christ.  He  has 
been  justice  of  the  peace  about  42  years,  and  held  other  local  offices  of  the  township.  Mr.  Jones'  life  has  been  lone 
and  useful,  and  he  is  respected  wherever  known.  Few  men  have  been  more  before  the  public,  and  fewer  still  are 
they  who  have  so  generally  won  and  merited  the  public  confidence  and  esteem. 

THOMAS  KELLER. 

Mr.  Keller  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  in  1806,  and  married  Mercena  Minor  in  1837.  She  was  born  in 
Connecticut.  Mr,  Keller  died  in  1866.  leaving  six  children— O.  Martin,  Emma  B-,  Mary  E.  (Bathbnrn),  Jane  (Frary) 
Harriet  E.  and  Sarah  F.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Keller  was  an  exhorter  in  the  church  for  several 
yean  previous  to  his  death.  His  widow  survives  him,  and  owns  80  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
Miss  Emma  taught  school  eight  years  in  the  4tb  district;  Miss  Harriet  has  taught  nine  terms  in  one  district:  Jane 
also  taught  five  terms  up  to  the  time  she  was  married. 

G.  W.  MCLAUGHLIN.  , 

Mr.  Mclaughlin  was  born  in  Marshall  connty.  111.,  in  1850,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of 
two  years  which  he  spent  in  Streator  and  Kewanee.  He  married  Miss  Belief  Bonnam  in  1871.  She  was  born  in 
this  connty,  and  is  a  daughter  of  William  Dunham,  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  the  connty.  They  have  three 
children  living— Oscar  M.,  Minnie  E,  and  Albert  Lerov— end  three  are  dead.  He  is  school  director  of  his  district. 
He  rents  from  his  father  112  acres  of  land  which  he  cultivates.  Mr.  McL.  comes  from  "good  stock"  and  is  a  hard 
working  and  successful  citizen. 

JOHN  CURRIE. 

Mr.  Currie  was  born  in  Northumberland,  England,  in  1812,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1851  locating  in 
Marshall  connty.  He  married  Mary  Thompson  in  1831.  born  in  the  same  place.  They  have  four  children  living— 
Robert,  Hannah,  Mary  (Mrs.  Fleming),  and  James.  He  owns  a  farm  in  Ford  county.  Hannah  married  John  Scoon 
in  1866.  He  was  born  in  Scotland.  They  have  four  living  children— Bobert  A.,  Mary  E.,  John  Currie,  and  Minnie 
J.  They  are  members  of  the  C.  P.  church.  He  owrs  160  acres  of  land,  and  is  school  director  and  tax  collector  of 
the  township.  Mrs.  Currie  died  in  1877.  His  son.  R->bert,  lives  in  Ford  county.  Although  classically  educated  and 
possessing  the  ability  to  succeed  in  any  of  the  professions,  he  prefers  the  quiet  content  of  a  farmer  to  the  turmoil 
of  political  life. 

EGBERT  PRINGLE. 

Mr.  Pi  ingle  is  a  fanner,  living  on  section  29,  and  was  born  in  Boxboronghsbire,  Scotland,  in  1821.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1848,  and  settled  York  state,  where  he  remained  4'4  years,  then  came  to  Marshall  county, 
where  he  has  lived  ever  since.  Married  Miss  Jeannette  Turnbull  in  1852,  born  in  the  same  place  as  himself.  They 
have  six  children, — Lizzie,  John,  Andrew,  Mary,  Adam  and  Jcanette-  He  owns  300  acres  of  land,  all  in  cultivation, 
with  good  improvements. 

RICHARD  B.  FRARY. 

Mr.  Frary  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  in  1817,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Cuyahosa  county, 
Ohio,  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  In  1838  he  went  to  Peckatonica,  111.,  lived  there  about  eighteen  months,  and  re- 
turned to  Ohio.  Again  in  1841  moved  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Peoria  county,  where  he  staid  four  years.  From  here 
he  moved  to  Green  county,  and  remained  four  years,  returned  to  Peoria,  and  after  two  years  sojourn  in  that  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  745 

located  in  Marshall  in  1850.  He  married  Miss  Catherine  J,  Lowman  in  1852,  born  in  Indiana  county.  Fa.,  March  7, 
1823.  They  have  four  children— Rebecca  J.,  Merritt,  Sarah  W.,  James  N.,  and  two  deceased.  Mrs.  F.  and  Kebecca 
are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church.  He  owns  180  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Frary  is  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Nancy  Low- 
man.  Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Hindman,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Lowman  died  at  86  in  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Frary  in  a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  Frary,  his  grandfather  was  a  William  IIendric*s,  which  is  us  far 
back  as  he  can  trace  his  family;  and  his  grandmother's  name  was  Ball.  He  has  in  his  possession  an  old  Queen 
Ann  gun  over  200  years  old,  brought  from  England  by  some  of  the  early  emigrants.  The  barrel  is  about  eight  feet 
long,  is  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation,  and  will  kill  a  deer  at  eighty  rods— will  carry  either  ball  or  shot,  Mr. 
Frary  is  a  practical  inventor,  having  invented  the  only  gang  plow  extant — really  practical,  which  he  expects  soon 
tn  begin  manufacturing. 

ARCHIBALD  RIDDELL. 

Mr.  Riddell  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  25.  Postoffice,  Sparland.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  came  to  the 
United  States  when  a  young  man,  and  located  fust  in  Chillicothe,  where  he  embarked  in  merchandising,  until  his 
removal  to  Marshall  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  His  tirst  wife  was  Miss  Jennette  Davidson,  born  also  in 
Scotland.  Three  of  their  children  are  living- George  D.,  William  and  Archibald,  and  two  dead.  Mr.  Riddle  has 
been  school  treasurer,  trustee  and  director,  and  held  other  local  offices.  He  owns  320  acres  of  land  He  is  a  man 
of  liberal  views,  well  posted  in  the  political  history  of  the  day.  and  a  firm  lover  of  American  institutions.  To  him 
more  than  any  other  is  due  the  success  of  the  Lacon  Woolen  Manufacturing  Company .  Be  first  invested  $10,(  00, 
and  when  this  was  exhausted  and  more  was  needed,  voluntarily  came  forward  with  $10,000  more.  lie  has  always 
been  a  director,  and  much  of  the  time  has  served  as  president  of  the  company. 

JOSEPH  J.  CALDER. 

Mr.  Calder  was  born  in  Albany  county,  New  York,  in  1806.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1x51,  and  located  on  the 
farm  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  married  Sarah  Deddrick  in  1830.  She  was  born  in  Queen's  county.  New 
York.  They  have  nine  children  living— Marion  W.,  Alexander,  Isaac  D.,  James,  Naoma,  Anna  Amelia  (Powell), 
MarshallJ.,  IlellenC.  (Stowell).  and  two  deceased.  Are  member.!  of  the  M,  E  church.  He  has  held  several  of  the 
local  offices  of  his  district.  He  owns  120  acres  in  Marshall  connty.  111.,  also  a  tract  of  land  in  Iowa.  Few  families 
are  better  known  or  so  generally  respected  as  that  of  Mr.  C.  He  has  been  a  prominent  temperance  advocate  all  his 
life,  and  taken  deep  interest  in  Sabbath  schools. 

ELIJAH  STOWELL. 

Mr.  Stowell  was  born  in  Chenango  county,  New  York,  in  1817,  and  went  to  Potter  county,  Pa.,  in  1847.  Here 
he  married  Miss  Louisa  Sherman  in  1847,  and  six  years  later  removed  to  Marshall  county.  111.  She  was  born  in  Cay- 
uga  county.  New  York,  but  her  parents  removing  to  Potter  county.  Pa.,  soon  after,  she  was  reared  and  educated 
there,  Her  father  was  a  surveyor  and  executed  important  contracts  in  surveying  for  the  Government.  Mr.  Stowell 
owns  and  cultivates  a  good  farm,  he  belongs  to  a  family  well  known  and  well  thought  of,  and  is  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  ability. 

CHARLES  STONE. 

Mr.  Stone  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Vermont,  in  1813,  where  he  lived  until  1832,  when  he  went  to  Troy, 
N.  V.,  staid  there  six  years,  and  thence  to  Pittsfield,  Mass.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1845,  locating  in  Marshall  connty, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  purchased  his  present  farm  of  320  acres  from  a  company  with  which  he  was  iden- 
tified. He  married  Miss  Margaret  McElroy  in  1836.  She  was  born  in  the  city  of  Dublin,  Ireland.  They  have  three 
children— Charles  H.,  Julia  M.  and  Frank  E.  The  latter  is  now  engaged  successfully  in  the  manufacture  of  cheese 
on  his  father's  farm,  where  he  has  a  capacity  of  trom  300  to  EDO  cows.  They  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
church.  Mr.  Stone  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  LaPrairie  township,  a  liberal,  generous  man,  a  good  neighbor 
and  citizens. 

CALVIN  STOWELL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cbenango  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1837,  and  located  with  his  parents  in  Peoria 
county,  111.,  about  three  miles  from  bis  present  farm,  in  1843,  He  married  Miss  PrecillaGreenhalgh  in  1864,  born  in 
Lancashire,  England.  They  have  five  children, —Mary  A.,  Laura  a.,  Annie  M.,  Nellie  May  and  Edith  P.  They  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  which  his  father  and  mother  were  two  of  the  original  six  members  who 
formed  the  organization.  Mr.  Stowell  served  as  supervisor  of  his  township  from  1870  to  1875,  as  well  as  in  several 
of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township.  He  is  well  read  on  the  leading  topics  of  the  day,  and  a  successful  farmer, 
with  a  pleasant,  entertaining  family.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  reforms  of  the  day,  is  well  posted  in  current 
events,  does  his  own  thinking,  and  forms  opinions  from  what  he  sees  and  hears  rather  than  from  what  he  is  told. 

ROBERT  TURNBULL. 

Mr.  Turnbull  belongs  to  the  numerous  company  of  Scotch  emigrants  hailing  from  Roxboroughsbire,  Scotland, 
who  settled  in  this  township.  He  was  born  in  1827,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1851.  He  first  settled  in  Gene- 
va, N.  Y.,  and  three  years  later  came  to  Illinois.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Mary  Smith,  born  in  Scotland,  whom  he  wed- 
ded in  1864.  They  have  five  children,— Mina,  John,  Robert,  Beatrice  and  Willie.  Are  members  of  the  U.  P.  Church. 
He  owns  333  acres  of  well  improved  land,  has  served  his  town  in  several  local  offices,  is  a  man  of  sound  judgement 
and  clear-headed.  The  name  of  Tnrnbull  is  derived  from  a  well  authenticated  incident  in  the  reign  of  Robert 


746  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Bruce.  The  king  was  one  day  huntinE  in  the  forest  of  Cullender,  when  he  encountered  an  enraged  bison  or  wild 
bull,  an  animal  of  great  courage  and  ferocity.  It  charged  upon  the  party,  the  most  of  whom  took  to  their  heels* 
leaving  the  king  nearly  alone  and  defenceless.  At  this  juncture  a  forester  or  native  of  the  place,  whose  name  was 
"Rule,"  a  man  of  great  personal  strength,  threw  himself  before  the  enraged  animal  and  with  his  battle  axe  en- 
countered and  slew  him  single-handed.  The  grateful  king,  in  recognition  of  the  service,  gave  him  a  large  tract  of 
land  and  bestowed  the  name  of  Turnbull  -that  is,  "the  man  that  turned  the  bull."  The  old  cuat-of-arms  borne  by 
the  family  in  ancient  times  shows  the  legend. 

ADAM  DAVIDSON. 

Mr.  Davidson  was  born  in  Roxboroughshire.  Scotland,  in  1833,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1350,  locating 
in  Marshall  county.  He  married  Miss  Jane  Itae  in  1872,  also  born  in  Scotland.  They  have  two  children,  Nellie  and 
Maggie  M.  He  owns  320  acres  of  choice  land,  in  a  most  perfect  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a  type  of  a  large  and  in- 
fluential class  of  Americanized  Scotchmen  in  this  country,  who,  to  the  intelligence  and  thrift  of  the  fatherland 
have  joined  the  enterprise  and  push  of  the  Yankee  character.  Mr.  Davidson  is  a  successful  man,  and  owes  it  under 
Providence  to  himself  alone. 

C.  W.  DODGE. 

Mr'  Dodge  was  born  in  Sullivan  county,  town  of  Claremont,  New  Hampshire,  in  1830.  When  he  came  west  he 
first  settled  in  Wisconsin,  and  in  Marshall  county  in  1866,  and  has  been  postmaster  at  Lawn  Ridge  since  1873.  Mar- 
ried a  Miss  Dennison  in  1853,  who  was  born  in  Renssclear  county.  New  York.  They  have  three  children,-  Alice, 
Florence  and  James  E.  He  has  been  in  business  for  himself  since  1851.  He  is  a  boot  and  shoe  maker  by  trade, 
working  steadily  at  his  business  and  making  money.  Mrs.  Dodge  has  a  decided  love  for  flowers,  and  her  home  ex- 
hibits  much  taste  and  elegance. 

MELCIII  GROVE. 

Mr.  Grove  was  born  in  Union  county.  Pa.,  May  6, 1828,  and  moved  to  the  western  reserve  with  his  father  when 
4  years  of  age.  He  lived  there  until  Feb.  8,  1842.  when  he  married  Miss  Amelia  Clemmer,  born  in  Hotton,  Upper 
Canada,  in  1821.  They  have  six  children  living,— John  E.,  Henry  A..  Reuben  M.— who  enlisted  in  the  army  and  died 
from  hardship  and  exposure  at  the  age  of  22.  —Clara  B.  (Lapslay),  Rosabella,  Shirley  Ann  and  Shindon.  They  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Grove  himself  is  a  disciple  of  Alexander  Campbell.  He  is  a  lover 
of  bis  country,  and  proved  his  devotion  to  it  by  himself  and  three  sons  (the  youngest  being  under  age)  enlisting  in 
the  army  during  the  rebellion.  He  moved  from  Ohio  in  1848  in  a  two-horse  wagon,  containing  himself,  wife  and 
tour  children,  and  all  his  worldly  goods.  They  stopped  at  Trivola,  Peoria  county,  until  1850,  when  he  moved  to  his 
present  farm.  At  that  time  there  was  but  one  house  in  view  from  it.  He  served  as  first  lieutenant  in  company  K. 
86  111.  Vols.,  until  incapacited  by  disease  contracted  in  the  service,  when  he  resigned,  and  is  since  an  invalid  and 
always  will  be.  Although  suffering  from  the  effects  of  his  service  in  his  country's  cause,  he  does  not  regret  the 
sacrifice.  He  is  the  came  unyielding,  staunch,  outspoken  lover  of  his  country  that  he  has  always  been,  and  always 
hopes  to  be  while  he  is  on  earth.  He  has  been  always  prominent  in  the  local  councils  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
has  filled  the  position  of  delegate  to  many  important  conventions. 

ALDEN  HULL.     (With  portrait.) 

Mr.  Hull  is  a  retired  farmer,  born  in  Cheshire,  N.  H.,  in  1793.  He  left  with  his  parents  when  ten  years  old  and 
moved  to  Essex  connty,  N.  Y.,  and  located  in  Illinois  soon  after.  He  staid  one  winter  in  Jacksonville  and  then 
moved  to  Pekin  where  he  lived  ten  years.  He  then  moved  to  Peoria  connty  and  remained  until  1851,  when  he  lo- 
cated in  Marshall  county  where  has  lived  ever  since.  Mr.  Hull  represented  the  connty  of  Tazewell  in  the  legislature 
three  sessions,  was  justice  of  the  peace,  and  also  a  county  commissioner  under  the  old  law*  He  was  a  member  of 
the  legislature  when  it  met  at  Vandalia,  and  during  his  term  the  seat  of  government  was  changed  to  Springfield. 
He  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Peoria  county.  He  was  supervisor  and  town  treasurer  12  years.  Since  1860  he  has  re- 
tired from  active  business,  but  retains  full  control  of  his  affairs.  He  has  been  an  active  influential  citizen,  always 
laboring  lor  the  best  interests  of  the  continuity,  and  his  life  would  do  well  to  pattern  aftei.  By  industry  and  fru- 
gality he  has  amassed  a  large  property.  Mr.  Hull  was  never  married. 

JOHN  MARTIN. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  Parish  of  Eirkmoho.  Dumfrieshire,  Scotland,  in  1*14.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1849,  and  located  first  at  Peoria,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  stone  mason,  some  five  or  six  years,  at  the  same  time 
improving  his  present  farm.  He  married  Margaret  Anderson  in  1839,  born  in  Scotland.  They  have  three  children 
living— Samuel,  Thomas  and  Mary  (Anderson).  Are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church.  He  owns  600  acres  of  land  in 
Marshall  county.  One  of  his  sons  married  a  daughter  of  Richard  Geil,  of  Lacon,  and  is  a  minister  of  the  M.  E. 
church.  Mr  Martin  has  been  very  successful  and  accumulated  a  large  property.  Mrs.  M.  died  in  April,  1880, 

WILLIAM  STARLING. 

Mr.  Starling  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1834,  and  came  to  Peoria  county  in  1854.  He  married 
Eliza  Rulison  in  1853.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Kev.  B.  B.  Hallock,  of  Mohawk,  N.  Y.,  who  lost  his 
life  in  the  railroad  disaster  on  the  New  York  and  Erie  railway,  having  become  fastened  in  the  wreck,  and  although 
not  injured  he  could  not  release  himself  and  was  slowly  burned  to  death.  A  coincident  in  connection  herewith  is 
that  Mr.  Starling  afterward  moved  to  the  town  of  Hallock,  in  Peoria  connty,  and  was  postmaster  there.  When  the 


MOGRAPttlCAL    DEPARTMENT.  747 

war  broke  out  he  went  into  the  army  and  served  under  Gen.  Hallack.  Mrs.  Starling  is  a  native  of  Parish,  Lewis 
county,  N.  Y.  They  have  seven  children— George.  Charles,  Martin,  Edgar.  Emma,  Rollin  and  Julia  A.  Mr.  Starling 
enlisted  in  company  K.  57th  111.  Volunteers.  Oct.,  1861,  He  was  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  Jane  20,  1862,  and  served 
until  Dec..  1864.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  returned  home  via  New  York,  and  located  in  Mar  hall 
county,  111.  He  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donaldson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Corinth  1st  and  2d  battles.  He  is  an  ingenious 
mechanic,  having  invented  a  sulky  plow  which  he  is  having  manufactured.  It  carried  off  the  highest  honors  at  the 
Columbus  (Mo.)  Agricultural  college,  in  1878. at  a  test  trial  of  plows,  and  the  first  prize  at  the  State  B'air  of  Iowa  in 
1875.  He  has  just  invented  a  most  simple  ye1  ingenious  machine  for  planting  and  digging  potatoes. 

ADAM  CRAWFORD. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Parish  of  Kirkmichael,  Scotland,  in  1806,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 

1854,  selecting  and  purchasing  his  present  farm.     He  married  Agnes  Shearer  in  1834.  born  in   Wictonshire,  Scot- 
land.    Eight  children  have  been  born  to  them— Margaret,  James,  Adam,  John  William.  Agnes.  Matthew  A.  and 
David  H.    Are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,     Matthew  is  a  clergyman  of  much  promise.      Adam  was  a 
soldier  for  three  years,  and  now  holds  a  responsible  position  with  an  agricultural  firm  in  Omaha.       Mr.  Crawford 
owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  business. 

JESSE  W.  HURD. 

Mr.  Hurd  is  a  farmer,  and  was  born  in  Sullivan  county.  New  Hampshire,  in  1824.  lie  moved  to  Monroe 
county,  N.  Y.,  in  1836,  went  to  Winconsin  in  1842,  to  Trivoli,  Peoria  county,  in  1844.  and  located  in  Marshall  county 
in  1848.  He  married  Phoebe  E.  Porter  in  1849,  &  native  of  Chenango  county.  New  York.  They  have  two  children 
living.  Mary  K,  and  Elbert  C.,  and  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Hurd  owns  80  acres  of  land  in  a 
prosperous  state  of  cultivation,  with  good  improvements.  He  has  been  supervisor  for  the  last  ten  years,  has  been 
largely  identified  with  the  township  in  which  his  home  is.  and  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  all  the  moral  enterprises 
of  the  day.  He  is  a  strong  temperance  man,  a  Sabbath  school  worker,  and  a  friend  to  religion.  It  is  to  such  men  as 
he  that  society  and  Cbristianit}  are  indebted  for  steady,  successful  nrogress. 

C.  S.  VINCENT. 

Mr.  Vincent  was  born  in  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1810,  and  moved  to  Madison  county  in  1841,  where  he  lived 
for  over  twenty  years,  coming  to  Marshall  county  in  the  fall  of  1863.  He  married  Sarah  Witdack  in  1841,  a  native 
of  New  York.  She  died  in  1866,  leaving  two  children  -  Mary  (Calder),  and  Gertrude  (Palmer),  now  in  Iowa;  and 
three — children  by  a  former  marriage  -Archibald.  MOB  :s.  the  latter  resides  in  Michigan.  Another  son,  Amos,  en- 
listed in  the  army  in  1862,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  wounded  in  the  hand  and  disabled  for  work. 
He  died  in  1868.  Mr.  Vincent  owns  169  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivates. 

GEORGE  AITCHISON. 

Mr.  Atchison  was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  in  1833,  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  brother  in 

1855,  and  located  first  in  McHenry  0'>unty,  and  afterward  in  I^prshiill.    He  worked  by  the  month  tor  some  time, 
and  then  purchased  his  present  farm.    He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Shearer,  March  28, 1873.    She  was  bora  in  Ayr- 
shire, Scotland.    Four  childien  have  been  given  them— George  F.,  Jane  E.,  John  H   and  William  A.    He  owns  80 
acies  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  good  improvements. 

DANIEL  WEAN. 

Mr.  Wean  wan  born  in  Mahoming  county,  Ohio,  in  1825,  and  with  his  parents  moved  to  Hillsdale  county.  Mich- 
igan, where  they  lived  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Marshall  county,  where  he  has  lived  since.  He  married  Miss 
Harriet  Clemmer  in  1866.  She  was  born  in  Medina  county,  Ohio.  Their  children  are  Gordon  0.,  Elsey  A.,  Leota 
M.  and  Harriet.  Mr.  Wean  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  4th  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry  in  1864,  and  served  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  Was  mustered  out  in  Detroit  in  1865,  having  done  his  duty  and  seen  his  country  saved  from  all  her  foes. 

RICHARD  DAVIDSON. 

Mr.  Davidson  was  born  in  Roxboroughshire,  Scotland,  in  1830,  and  emigrated  to  the  U.  8. 1850,  locating 
in  Marshall  county.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Scott  in  1857,  born  in  the  same  place  in.  Scotland,  and  they  have  been 
blessed  with  six  childien— James  A.,  Thomas  S,,  John,  William  II.,  Hichard  Q.  and  Mary  8.  Mr,  Davidson  is  serv- 
ing as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  has  been  commisgioner  of  highways,  assessor,  collector  and  school  director.  He  is  pop- 
ular everywhere  and  has  many  friends  in  the  county.  He  owns  320  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
which  in  fact  may  be  said  of  nearly  the  entire  township. 

LEONARD  KITTREDGE. 

Mr.  Kittredge  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bedford,  Hillsboro'  county.  New  Hampshire,  in  1812.  He  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1860  and  purchased  ids  present  farm.  In  November,  1838,  he  married  Mary  Hurd,  a  native  of  Newport,  New 
Hampshire.  They  have  one  child,  Samantha.  Mrs.  Kittredge  is  a  member  of  the  Congregatii  nat  church.  At  a  re- 
union of  Mrs.  K.'s  family  which  was  held  at  the  Kittrtdge  mansion  on  the  2nd  of  January,  1880,  being  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Owen,  the  youngest  child  of  the  late  Stephen  Hurd,  there  were  seventy-two  members 
present.  They  had  an  enjoyable  time,  as  might  be  expected  upon  such  an  occasion.  Eating,  singing,  friendly  dis- 
cussion and  a  general  exchange  of  views  on  all  topics  interesting  to  the  assembly  was  the  order  of  the  day.  Able 


RECORDS   OF   TlIE   OLDEN   TIME. 

addresses  by  the  Rev.  Hall,  Congregational  minister.  Mr.  George  M.  Lock  aad  others  wound  np  the  business  and 
pleasures  of  the  day.  The  evening  was  spent  at  the  Congregational  church,  where  a  social  reunion  of  the  members 
was  held  and  a  large  amount  of  musical  talent  displayed,  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  present.  Mr.  Kittridge  owns  a 
farm  in  Stark  county,  immediately  adjoining  his  residence,  which,  with  its  grounds,  comprising  some  ten  acres,  is 
located  in  Marshall  county. 

ROBERT  SCOON. 

Mr.  Scoon  WRS  born  in  Roxboronghshirj,  Scotland,  in  1812,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853.  He  lived 
one  year  in  New  York,  moved  to  Michigan,  where  he  remained  five  years,  then  moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1859. 
He  married  Mary  Nichol  in  1837.  She  was  born  in  the  same  place  in  Scotland,  They  have  ten  children— Margaret, 
Jane,  John,  Jessie,  James.  William.  Charlie,  Minnie,  Elizabeth  and  Robert.  They  are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church. 
He  owns  160  acres  ot  land  handsomely  located.  Mr.  Scoon  is  a  hard  worker  and  a  shrewd  manager,  the  two  elements 
leading  to  success  For  several  years  few  men  have  made  money  so  rapidly  by  legitimate  farming.  He  has  a  large 
force  of  boys,  all  working  in  unison,  and  each  striving  for  the  general  good.  Besides  raising  grain,  he  is  largely 
engaged  in  stock  raising. 

DAVID  AITCHISON. 

'  Mr.  Aitchison  was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  in  1833.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  and  located 
in  McHenry  county,  III.,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county  in  1863.  Ho  married  Miss  Agnes  Shearer  in  1869,  born  in 
Ayrshire,  Scotland.  Their  children  are  Elizabeth,  David  8.,  Mary,  Gracie.  Kate  and  Henry.  They  are  members  of 
the  U,  P.  church.  He  has  served  as  path-master  and  school  director,  and  owns  £0  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  sub- 
stantially and  tastefully  improved,  with  good  buildings  handsomely  located.  Like  most  of  his  countrymen  in  La 
Prairie,  he  is  energetic  and  indefatiguable  in  the  prosecution  of  his  business,  hence  successful.  He  is  a  pleasant 
gentleman  and  a  good  citizen. 

L.  H.  WETMORE. 

Mr.  Wetmore  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1824,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county.  111.,  in  1849.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Geneva  Hill  in  1850.  also  a  native  of  New  York.  Their  children  are  Francis,  Carrie  and  Lillie.  They  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  which  Mr.  Wetmore  U  deacon  and  trustee,  and  has  been  for  the  lait  18 
years.  His  daughter  Francis  is  the  wife  of  a  native  Grecian  missionary,  and  is  now  in  that  country  assisting  her 
husband  in  the  duties  of  his  mission.  They  sailed  from  the  United  States  February  4, 1879.  Mrs.  Wetmore  died  in 
1874.  He  married  bin  present  wife,  Cornelia  Sanford,  in  1876.  She  was  also  born  in  Oneidn  county,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  owns  173  acres  of  land  with  good  improvements. 

NATIIANIAL  P.  GREEN. 

Mr.  Green  is  a  prosperous  farmer,  and  was  born  in  Albany  county.  New  York,  in  1826.  He  came  west  and  lo- 
cated on  his  present  farm  in  1851,  and  married  Miss  Hannah  Powell  in  1854.  She  was  bom  in  Green  county,  N.  Y. 
They  have  two  children,— John  W.  and  Ann  E .  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Green  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order.  He  has  served  an  road  commissioner  and  school  director,  and  is  trustee  in  the  church. 
He  owns  280  acres  of  land,  with  fine  improvements.  Mrs.  Green's  father  and  mother  reside  with  her.  Henry  Smith 
their  oldest  child,  died  when  two  years  old. 

X.  C.  WILMOT. 

Mr.  Wilmot  was  born  inCattaraugns  county.  New  York,  in  1827,  and  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1845.  first  lo- 
cating in  Adams  county,  where  they  remained  one  year,  then  Jremoved  to  Peoria  county,  from  whence  he  came  to 
his  present  farm  in  1847.  He  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Waughop  in  April.  1868,  a  native  of  Tazewell  county.  111.  They 
have  three  childreen,— Rosa  May,  Arthur  X.  and  John  A.  He  has  two  children  by  a  former  marriage,— Vestula  Ann 
and  Stephen  D.  Mr.  Wilmot  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  church.  He  has 
served  as  assessor  and  filled  other  positions.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  one  of 
the  most  pleasant  residences  in  the  county,  on  either  side  the  approach  to  it  being  bordered  with  evergreens  artis- 
tically and  tastefully  arranged,  affording  shelter  and  a  most  pleasing  effect 

MICHAEL  DODD. 

Mr.  Dodd  was  born  in  the  county  of  Durham,  in  England,  in  1824,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853,  and 
to  Marshall  county  in  1854.  He  married  Matilda  Arkless  in  1852,  born  in  England,  in  1829.  They  have  nine  children 
living,— Thomas,  Hannah  (Currie),  Edward,  Ellen,  Frederick  F..  James  C.,  Robert  W.,  Walter  H.  and  Wallace  H. 
He  owns  160  acres  in  his  home  farm,  with  first  class  brick  house,  and  320  acres  in  Ford  county,  all  improved.  He 
owns  the  only  brick  residence  in  the  township,  of  any  pretensions,  which  was  erected  in  1858,  and  is  as  substantial 
now  as  then. 

MRS.  ANN  C.  CALDER,  Widow. 

Mrs.  Calder  was  born  in  Green  county.  New  York,  in  1818.  She  married  James  Calder  in  October.  1842,  also  a 
native  of  New  York  State,  who  died  in  1853,  leaving  three  children— Marion  C.,  L,  G.  and  Clarence.  Mrs.  Calder  is 
a  member  of  the  M.  E,  church.  She  purchased  her  present  farm  of  163  acres  in  1853,  when  she  first  came  to  this 
country,  her  husband  having  died  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  She  has  devoted  her  life  to  the  interest  of  her  children. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DE^AR-MENf.  749 


11  (if  whom  she  has  handsomely  provided  for.  She  has  very  fine  improvements  upon  her  well  cultivated  farm, 
and  is  surrounded  with  every  comfort  ot  this  life  Mrs.  C.  has  been  successful  beyond  most  men  or  women  trader 
like  circumstances.  Deprived  of  her  husband  when  her  children  were  small,  and  his  help  and  counsel  most  needed, 
she  has  reared,  educated  and  aided  them,  and  seen  them  comfortably  started  in  life. 

ANDREW  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  farmer,  and  was  bom  in  Dumfrieshire,  Scotland,  in  1827.  and  came  to  the  United  State*  with  his 
parents  in  1840.  He  first  settled  in  Peoria  county,  where  he  lived  until  1847,  and  then  moved  to  his  present  location. 
His  father  died  in  the  winter  of  1843.  His  mother  is  still  living  with  him.  and  is  smart  and  active  at  the  advanced 
age  of  77  years.  She  is  an  active  member  of  the  U.  P.  church.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  the  highest  state  of 
cultivation  with  first-class  improvements.  He  has  been  o  ne  of  the  most  successful  men  on  the  prairie,  and  this  is 
not  due  to  chance,  but  persevering  industry  and  the  steady  following  out  of  certain  |rules  that  always  lead  to  a 
competence.  Mr.  Smith  is  widely  known  and  everywhere  respected. 

ROBERT  RIDDELL. 

Mr.  Kiddell  was  born  in  Lanark,  parish  of  Glassford,  Scotland,  in  1819,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the 
fall  of  1842,  locating  first  in  Chillicothe.  He  went  to  St.  Louis  and  worked  at  his  trade  the  first  winter,  then  pur- 
chased a  claim  and  went  to  farming  on  section  25.  When  the  gold  excitement  raged  in  California  he  tried  his  for  - 
tunes  there,  and  lost  both  money  and  health.  Returning,  he  went  on  to  his  present  farm  and  regained  both.  In 
1863  he  married  Elizabeth  Cameron  also  born  in  Scotland  .  They  have  four  children,—  John,  Harriet,  Margaret  and 
Flora  A  .  Are  members  of  the  U-  F.  church.  He  is  a  school  director,  has  held  other  local  offices,  and  owns  160  acres 
of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  a  good  house  and  beautiful  surroundings.  He  has  a  pleasant  family,  is 
well  off  so  far  as  this  world  is  concerned,  minds  his  own  business,  and  lets  the  world  wag  as  it  will. 

CYRUS  ROOT. 

Mr.  Root  belongs  to  a  family  of  pioneers  that  settled  in  Peoria  county  at  an  early  day,  and  whose  home  is  just 
across  the  line  of  Marshall.  He  was  born  in  1838,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1872.  In  1869  he  married  Mary  0.  Sto- 
well,  likewise  born  in  Peoria  county.  Te  have  one  child,  Weber  S.  Mr.  Root  enlisted  in  Co.  C.  86th  111.  Vols.  August 
27.  1862.  and  was  mustered  ont  June  6,  18'  S.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  mountain,  June  27.  1*64,  and 
was  confined  in  hospital  some  time.  When  he  became  convalescent  he  served  in  a  brigade  of  picked  men  made  up 
from  other  detacnments,  which  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  under  General  Thomas.  He  served  in  this 
command  two  months,  and  then  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Goldsboro',  N.  C.  He  owns  100  acres  of  land,  with  good 
improvements,  is  a  good  citizen,  and  his  wife  is  a  lady  of  refinement. 

DAVID  SHEARER. 

Mr,  Shearer  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  in  1812,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852.  He  first  settled  in 
Peoria  county,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1858.  He  married  Miss  Nancy  Manock  in  1870.  She  was  born  in  Eng- 
land. He  has  nix  children  by  a  former  marriage.  Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  owns  800  acres  of 
land  now,  and  has  given  his  children  320.  The  farm  he  now  occupies  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  township,  and  he  paid 
for  it  $62.50  per  acre  in  1868.  Mr.  Shearer  is  a  very  intelligent  man,  and  keeps  well  informed  of  evente  transpiring 
around  him. 

JAMES  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Dumf  reishire,  Scotland,  born  i  n  1825,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1840  along  with 
his  parents.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  owes  his  success  to  good  management  and  hard  labor.  la  one  of  the 
best  farmers  in  the  township.  He  married  Mias  Lucy  Canterberry  in  1856,  She  was  a  native  of  County  Dublin, 
town  of  Rathdrum.  She  died  in  1878  leaving  5  children—  Fannie,  Minnie,  Mary  B,,  Sarah  and  Lucy.  He  has  served 
as  supervisor,  road  commissioner  and  school  director  several  terms.  He  owns  480  acres  of  land  in  the  highest  state 
of  cultivation.  The  Smiths,  of  LaPrairie,  are  alike  noted  for  industry,  thrift  and  intelligence.  They  are  wealthy, 
and  use  their  large  means  in  improving  their  farms  and  embellishing  their  homes.  They  are  one  and  all  temperate, 
order  loving  citizens,  and  their  example  is  worthy  of  imitation. 

E.  S.  BELL. 

Mr.  Bell  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1815,  and  came  to  Ohio  in  1816,  when  he  located  in  Muskingnm  county.  He 
lived  there  ten  years  and  came  to  Marshall  county.  111.,  in  1856.  He  married  Miss  Ellen  McCoy  in  1841.  She  was 
born  in  the  same  state.  They  have  five  children  living—  Samuel  McO.,  Robert  H..  William  W.,  Ellie  and  John  B. 
Are  members  of  the  U.  P.  church,  of  which  he  has  been  elder  30  years.  He  owns  400  acres  of  excellent  land,  all  in 
cultivation.  Mr.  Bell's  large  property  was  made  by  honest  labor.  He  has  defrauded  no  man.  and  he  owes  no  man, 
and  when  himself  and  wife  go  to  their  last  home  their  places  will  be  hard  to  fill. 

JOHN  McGiLLicK. 

Mr.  McGillick  was  born  in  County  Meath,  Ireland,  in  1833  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1857,  and  located  in 
New  York  State.  He  married  Lucinda  Holmes  in  1865,  her  maiden  name,  Hansell,  She  was  born  in  Suffolk  county, 
Mass.,  and  raised  in  Plymouth  county.  She  came  west  with  her  brother  in  1843,  and  lived  in  Brimfield,  Peoria 
county.  In  1844  she  married  Levi  Holmes.  He  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  New  York,  in  1813,  and  died  in  1864, 
leaving  four  children-  Morris,  Milon,  Ada  (Mrs.  Doyle),  and  Willie.  She  married  Mr.  McGillick  in  1865.  They  have 


750  RECORDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TUlE. 

one  child  by  that  marriage,  George  F.  Mrs.  McGillick  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  church.  They  own  a  farm  of  160  acres,  all  in  cultivation,  20  timber,  making  180  acres.  Mr.  McGillick  en- 
listed in  Co.  A,  113th  111.  Vol.  in  the  spring  of  1862,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  promoted  through  the 
different  grades  up  to  orderly  sergeant,  and  was  mustered  out  as  such  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  He  was  attached  to  the 
provost  guard  at  Memphis  in  1864-5. 

JOSEPH  BAKER. 

Mr,  Baker  was  born  in  Grafton  county,  New  Hampshire,  in  1819,  and  moved  to  Massachusetts  when  thirteen 
years  old,  and  from  thence  to  Delaware  county.  New  York.  iVhile  here  he  learned  the  printing  trade,  an4  worked 
some  time  for  Horace  Greely,  but  in  1839  took  the  latter'a  advice  and  came  west,  substituting  the  hoe  and  the  spade 
for  the  "shooting  stick."  He  first  located  in  Stark  county,  and  came  to  Marshall  in  1862.  He  married  Miss  Hen- 
rietta Weaver  in  1814,  born  in  Delaware  county,  N«w  York.  They  have  four  children  living— JosiahB.  William  H., 
Mary  A,  (Doran,  and  Nancy  E.  (Jillett).  One  child  is  dead.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  owning  160  acres  of  excellent 
land  under  good  cultivation,  has  held  various  local  offices,  and  has  a  pleasant  family. 

WILLIAM  SMITH. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  10.  He  was  born  in  Dumfreishire,  Scotland,  in  1823,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1840 .  He  married  Miss  Ottilia  Fonbeader  in  1859,  born  in  Prussia.  They  have  seven  children- 
Mary  C.,  Christiana  F.,  William  \.,  Charlotte  J.,  Charles  T.,  Minnie  J.  and  James  C.  Are  members  of  the  D.  P. 
church,  and  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church.  He  has  served  as  supervisor,  and  in  other  local  offices  of  his  dis- 
trict. He  owns  320  acres  of  land  in  cultivation.  Mr.  Smith  ia  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  the  township, 
and  one  of  its  leading  citizens.  He  owns  a  princely  residence,  and  his  home  is  the  abode  of  comfort  and  happiness , 

AMOS  'F.  LEIGH. 

Mr.  Leigh  is  a  farmer  living  on  section  9,  and  was  born  near  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  1826.  When  two  and  a  half 
years  old  bis  parents  moved  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Tazewell  county  near  Peoria.  They  came  to  Peoria  in  1842 
and  to  Marshall  in  1846.  He  married  Caroline  B.  Choate  the  same  year.  She  was  born  in  Switzerland  county,  Ind. 
They  have  ten  children— Olive  (Meyers),  .\lvin  L  ,  Eiwin  B.,  Anna  (Bradford),  James,  Caasins  A.,  Alda  L.,  Liuella, 
Haven  R,  and  Charles,  Tney  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  in  which  he  has  been  class  leader  for  the  past  31 
years.  He  is  commissioner  of  highways,  has  always  been  a  solid  Republican  and  lover  of  his  country,  and  although 
not  in  the  army  during  the  late  war,  he  sustained  the  government  by  his  money,  his  example,  and  his  personal  ex- 
ertions in  the  community  in  which  he  lives,  and  is  respected  by  all.  He  is  widelv  known,  and  his  name  is  the  syn- 
onym of  truth  and  justice.  He  owns  a  large  and  well  stocked  farm,  and  his  property  was  honestly  earned  by  the 
sweat  of  the  brow. 

HUBBARD  G.  HTJRD. 

Mr.  Hurd  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1808,  and  came  to  this  state  in  1839,  locating  first  in  Fulton  county, 
then  in  Peoria  county,  and  in  the  spring  of  1840  he  went  to  driving  stage  from  Peoria  to  Farmington,  Fulton  Co.  He 
went  to  Trivola  in  the  same  year,  and  in  1850  he  moved  to  Lawn  Ridge.  Marshall  county,  and  has  lived  in  this 
county  most  of  the  time  since.  In  the  winter  of  1860  he  went  to  Michigan,  Mendon.  St.  Joe  county,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  hotel,  and  in  1862  he  went  to  Waterloo  City.  Ind,,  where  he  run  another  hotel,  and  in  1863  sold  out  and 
went  to  Goshen.  thence  to  Lazinaier.  He  then  went  to  Kendalville,  Ind.,  where  he  run  the  "Air  Line"  hotel,  and 
remained  ther  :  until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Chicago  and  run  the  "Jarvis  House"  until  1866,  when  he  returned  to 
Marshall  county,  where  he  improved  his  property  and  has  since  lived.  Married  Miss  Mary  D.  Hoyt  in  1835,  born  in 
New  Hampshire.  They  have  four  children.—Horace,  Caroline  D.,  Mariam  L.  and  W.  Owen.  Himself  and  son  own 
240  acres  ot  land  with  good  improvements. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  751 


STEUBEN  TOWNSHIP. 


WILLA^D  ODELL. 

Mr.  Odell  was  born  in  Alleghany  county.  N-  Y..  in  1847,  and  located  in  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1852. 
His  father  purchased  the  farm  Mr.  Odell  is  now  occupying.  He  mimed  Jane  Newingham  in  1867,  She  was  born 
in  Brown  county,  III.  Their  children  are  Lewis  C  ,  Mary  A.,  W.  E.,  Maud  E.  and  Wilson  N.  Mrs.  Odell  is  a  mem- 
ber ot  the  Baptist  church.  He  owns  372  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivates  well  and  receives  good  returns.  His 
farm  is  eligibly  situated  and  very  valuable. 

L.  B.  THOMAS. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  moved  from  there  when  a  child  with  his  parents  and  located  in  Indi- 
ana and  then  to  Edgar  county.  III.,  in  1842.  He  came  to  Woodford  in  1844,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade 
which  he  followed  in  Metaraora,  Spring  Bay  Washington  and  Marshall  until  1850,  He  started  to  California  with 
his  brother  in  1852  and  got  as  far  as  Missouri,  remained  there  that  winter  and  finally  settled  pemanently  and 
bought  a  claim  and  entered  other  lands.  He  married  Swan  Campbell  in  1853.  She  was  born  in  Missouri'  They 
have  three  children  living — James  Monroe,  John.  W,  and  Louis  W. — and  two  deceased.  Mrs.  Thomas  died  in  1861. 
He  married  Elizibefi  Bishop  in  1863,  born  in  Ohio.  They  ara  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  located  in  this 
county  in  1851  and  owns  140  acres  of  land,  well  improved. 

JAMES  CHARLES. 

Mr  Charles  was  born  in  Monmouthshire,  England,  in  1817,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1851,  stopping 
a  while  at  Danville,  Pa.,  and  coming  to  this  county  in  18)8.  He  married  Mary  Lloyd  in  1834.  She  was  born  in  the 
s  ime  place.  She  died  in  1875  le wing  six  children  —Mary,  John,  Susan,  Sarah  A.,  William  and  Elizabeth,  He  owns 
81  acres  of  land  in  a  good  st-ite  of  cultivation.  He  has  one  son,  a  deaf  mute,  whom  he  lias  given  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. The  young  man  is  astached  to  the  occupation,  of  farming  and  is  successf  ally  engaged  in  that  business. 

CHARLES  SCHTJLZ. 

Mi.  Shulz  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1824,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854  an  located  in  Marshall  county. 
He  married  Mrs.  Barbara  Bassett.  ( Wolfla)  in  1859,  a  native  of  Badfcn.Germany.  She  had  six  children  when  he  mar- 
red her— John,  Mary,  Christian  and  Jacob— and  two  by  a  still  earlier  marriage,  Henry  and  Conrad,  and  by  the 
present  marriage  three— Elizabeth  S.,  George  L.  and  Fred  M.  They  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  f.  O.  O.  F.  He  owns  220  acres  of  laud  in  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  hard  working,  industri- 
ous and  knows  how  to  make  money. 

AARON  C.  FOSDICK. 

Mr  Fwsdick  was  born  in  Washington  county,  New  York,  February  28, 1808.  He  moved  to  Alleghany  county  in 
1830,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1844,  His  wife  was  Alice  D.  Moon,  whom  he  married  in  1827.  She  was  a  na- 
tive of  New  York  also.  She  died  February  13, 1873,  leaving  seven  children— Reeny,  Levi,  Joel,  Delphia,  Ruth  A. 
(Webster),  Alphea  M.  and  ^aron  J.  His  present  wife  was  a  Mist  Electa  Allen— widow  Chapman  when  he  married 
her.  She  had  four  children  by  her  first  husband— Samuel,  Delia.  Sophia  and  Laura.  Mrs.  Fosdick  was  born  in 
Yermont.  December  16, 1808.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Fosdick  served  as  postmaster  of  Steu- 
ben  from  1851  until  it  was  abolished  at  his  suggestion  in  1865,  an  he  declined  to  hold  the  unprofitable  office  longer. 
He  owns  260  acres  of  land,  having  sold  160  some  time  ago,  which  made  his  farm,  previous  to  the  sale,  420  acres.  His 
property  is  in  a  prosperous  state  of  cultivation,  with  good  improvements.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the 
oo.mty,  respected  by  all  his  acquaintance,  and  is  kind,  generous  and  hospitable. 

MRS.  ELIZABETH  ORR. 

Mrs.  Orr  was  born  in  Lawrence  county.  Pa.,  and  came  west  with  her  parents  in  1850  and  located  in  Marshall 
county  where  she  married  James  W.  Orr  in  1852,  He  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and  came  to  this  county  with  bis 
parents  when  a  small  boy.  They  located  about  one  mile  from  Lacon.  Mr.  Orr  died  in  1868,  leaving  four  children- 
Nellie.  Annie,  Jennie,  and  Hattie.  Mrs.  Orr  and  daughters  are  members  of  the  M,  E.  church.  They  own  153  acres 
of  land,  Although  left  alone,  with  four  daughters,  by  good  and  careful  management  and  business  tact  Mrs.  Orr 
surrounds  herself  and  children  with  every  comfort  from  the  proceeds  of  her  farm.  Her  house  is  the  picture  of 
neatness  and  careful  attention,  herself  and  daughters  bearing  the  impress  of  culture  and  refinement.  Of  Mr.  Orr's 


752  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

sad  fate  brief  mention  can  be  made.  He  left  home  in  the  morning,  bidding  his  family  a  cheerful  uood  bye.  to  go 
to  Lacon  and  transact  some  business,  and  never  returned,  A  year  previous  he  had  sold  a  farm  and  taken  notes  due 
about  thU  time,  and  it  is  supposed  unknown  parties  suspecting  the  purpose  of  his  visit  was  to  collect  those  notes, 
laid  their  plans  so  effectually  that  they  were  able  to  murder  him  and  conceal  his  body  so  as  to  ever  after  escape 
suspicion.  Although  twelve  years  have  elapsed  no  light  baa  been  thrown  on  the  mystery.  His  domestic  relations 
were  of  the  pleasantest  kind,  and  as  no  possible  motive  existed  for  absenting  himself,  the  conclusion  is  irresitible 
that  he  was  foully  murdered. 

JAMES  BTJSSELL. 

Mr.  Bussell  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  in  1820,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1844.  tie  first  set- 
tled in  Ohio,  then  removed  to  Peoria  county,  and  came  to  Marshall  connty  in  1861.  He  married  Miss  Jobannah 
Howard  in  1882.  She  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  owns  580  acres  all  in  culti- 
vation, except  80  which  is  timber.  He  is  one  of  the  solid  old  farmers  of  L^Prairie  township,  influenced  only  by 
that  which  he  believes  to  be  right.  He  is  a  good  neighbor  and  kind  friend. 

H.  TESMEB,  M.  D. 

Sparland,  Illinois. 

JOHN  J.  DUNCAN. 

Ml.  Duncan  was  bom  in  Indiana  county,  Fa.,  in  1826.  his  father  being  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  came 
to  Marshall  county  in  October,  1869.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Eliza  A.  Davidson,  whom  he  married  in  April.  1863.  I  heir 
children  are  Thomas,  Annie,  Robert,  John,  Agnes,  James.  William,  Dollie  and  George.  They  are  members  of  the 
U.  f.  church.  He  owns  158  acres  of  very  choice  land,  beautifully  located,  with  fine  improvements.  Mr.  Duncan  de- 
sires to  sell  his  elegart  home,  with  a  view  to  purchasing  a  larger  place,  as  he  has  a  large  family  for  whom  he  wishes 
to  provide. 

H.  J.  ADAMS. 

Mr.  Adams  is  superintendent  of  the  connty  poor  farm,  and  was  born  in  Prussia.  Germany,  in  1820  He  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  ten  years  old,  and  located  in  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1867,  and 
then  came  to  Lacon,  Marshall  county,  111.  In  1849  he  married  Ann  Holt,  born  in  Shadfield,  England.  They  have 
six  children,— Anna  A.  (Mrs.  Moreland),  Bosena  A.  (Mrs.  Sands),  Edward  A.,  Martin  A.,  Una  Bell  and  John  H. 
Mr.  A.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  been  for  thirty  years.  He  has  been  superintendent 
of  the  connty  poor  farm  since  1876,  filling  the  position  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Both  himself  and  wife 
are  eminently  qualified  for  the  place,  and  while  the  dictates  of  humanity  prevail  they  will  be  continued. 

SAMUEL  E.  THOMPSON. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  bom  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  1812,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1836,  where  be  has 
lived  ever  since.  At  that  time  there  were  only  a  few  families  living  west  of  the  river.  In  1836  he  married  Sarah 
Drake,  born  in  1817,  in  the  same  county  and  state  as  himself.  They  have  two  children  living.  George  F.  and  Delia 
A.,  and  two  deceased.  Joseph  C.  died  in  hospital  at  St.  Louis  in  1861.  while  serving  in  the  47th  111.  Vuln.,  Capt.  An- 
drews. Mrs.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  has  filled  several  local  offices,  and  cultivates  156 
acres  of  land,  besides  owning  other  tracts .  Mr.  Thompson  and  his  wife  are  among  the  few  first  settlers  of  the 
county  who  still  live.  When  they  came  the  country  was  a  wilderness,  and  most  of  their  neighbors  have  moved  else- 
where or  sleep  in  the  cemetery.  Their  lives  have  been  long  and  useful,  and  when  they  die  they  will  not  be  forgotten. 

AMASA  GARRATT. 

Mr.  Garratt  was  born  in  Washington  connty,  Ohio,  in  1817,  and  came  to  Putnam  (Bureau)  county,  along  with 
his  father,  in  1836.  and  to  this  county  in  1860,  and  located  on  section  9  in  Steuben  township  where  he  remained 
twelve  years,  then  moved  to  section  17,  where  he  no*  lives  He  married  Sarah  A.  Orr  in  1851.  She  was  born  in 
Maryland.  They  have  five  children  living— James  O  ,  Josephine.  Augustus,  Clara  ai»d  Alison.  He  served  as  super- 
visor of  his  township,  and  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  some  fifteen  years.  Has  filled  other  local  offices, 
attended  closely  to  business,  accumulated  a  handsome  property,  and  owns  nearly  900  acres  of  land. 

HENRY  SARGEANT. 

Mr.  Sargeant  was  born  in  St.  Clair  connty.  111.,  in  1824,  where  he  lived  for  31  years,  and  settled  in  Marshall 
county  in  1855.  He  married  Miss  Amelia  F.  Williams  in  1854,  born  in  Ohio.  They  have  eight  children,— William  H., 
George  F.,  Charles  T.,  James,  Sarah,  Electa,  Amelia  E.  and  John  L.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He 
owns  300  acres  of  land,  about  175  of  which  is  in  cultivation,  with  good  brick  dwelling.  Mr.  Sargeant  is  one  of  the 
representative  men  of  his  neighborhood,  and  a  successful  farmer. 

A.  J.  BAUGHMAN. 

Mr.  Banghman  was  born  in  Cbambersburg,  Franklin  connty,  Pa.,  in  1829.  He  moved  to  Ross  connty,  Ohio, 
with  his  parents  when  five  years  old,  and  to  Marshall  county,  111.,  in  1858.  locating  in  Steuben  township.  He  fol- 
lowed his  trade  as  carpenter  down  to  1871.  when  he  became  identified  with  the  furniture  business  and  followed  it 
successfully  until  1878.  when  he  associated  with  him  his  brother-in-law  Mr.  Taibill.  and  embarked  in  the  hard- 
ware and  farming  implement  trade.  The  firm  ia  doing  a  large  business  in  all  branches  of  their  trade,  Mr.  Baugh- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  753 

man  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Tarbil  in  1847.  She  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio.  Their  children  are  Cather- 
ine U.  and  Annie  F..  and  one,  Nancy  J.,  deceased.  They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  and  Mr.  B.  is  also  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  good  business  man,  pleasant,  sociable  and  reliable. 

ROBERT  WAUGH. 

Mr,  Waugh  was  born  in  Selkirkshire,  Scotland,  in  1838  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850  and  remained 
some  time  in  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Marshall  county,  111.,  in  1853.  He  worked  by  the  month  on  a  farm 
in  La  Prairie  township  for  three  years,  and  then  farmed  on  his  own  account  in  that  township  until  1862,  then  moved 
to  Steuben  township  where  he  worked  one  year,  and  two  years  in  Longpoint,  Livingston  county.  He  entered  Col. 
Baker's  1st  cavalry,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  Jan,,  1855,  and  served  until  December  of  the  same  year,  when 
h«  was  mustered  ont  through  disease  contracted  in  the  service.  He  commenced  peddling  dry  goods,  etc.,  in  1867, 
and  established  his  present  business  in  1870.  He  married  Lina  Stevenson  in  1877.  She  is  a  native  of  Woodford 
county  111.  They  have  one  child,  James.  He  carries  a  very  full  stock  of  boots,  shoes  clothing  and  dry  goods  suit- 
able to  his  trade.  He  is  a  liberal,  pleasant  business  man  and  reliable. 

HENRY  HOSKINS. 

Mr.  Hoskins  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  in  1822,  where  he  Kv.'d  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  and 
then  settled  in  Steuben  township.  His  wife  was  Mary  A.  Bonham.  whom  he  married  in  1852.  She  is  a  native  of 
Boss  county,  Ohio.  They  haveeight  children— Clayton,  Eveline,  Clarissa,  Eliza.  William.  Louis,  Thomas  and  El- 
mer, They  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  chnrch.  He  has  served  as  road  ron.mUsioncr  12  years,  and  school  director 
several  terms.  In  the  dark  days  of  the  rebellion,  Mr.  Hoskins  being  unable  himself  to  give  his  personal  services  to 
the  government,  he  furnished  a  substitute  to  whom  he  paid  $800  He  owns  254  acres  of  land  in  Marshall  county 
and  300  acres  in  Livingston  county.  He  is  not  in  good  health  bat  is  reconciled  to  the  will  of  Providence. 

WILLIAM  J.  DUNCAN. 

Mr,  Duncan  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  6,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  county.  Pa  ,  in  1820.  He  entered  the 
service  of  the  United  States  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  served  until  disabled  in  the  Signal  Corps.  On  one 
occasion  he  got  within  the  rebel  lines  and  encountered  a  "gray  back,"  who  presented  his  shooting-iron  and  told 
him  to  "come  in."  Suspecting  the  Dutchman  couldn't  read,  he  told  him  he  was  a  spy  going  through  the  lines,  and 
showed  an  old  letter  FS  his  authority  The  intelligent  soldier  turned  it  upside  down,  looked  it  carefully  over, 
"  hefted  "  it,  and  drawling  ont,  "  Yas,  dat  ish  soot,"  allowed  him  to  pass  on.  In  1842  he  married  Elizabeth  Clark, 
and  there  was  born  to  him  A.  Jackson,  George,  Matilda,  Sampson,  Annie,  Eslep,  Watson  and  Mary.  Jackson  en- 
listed in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  when  15,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  George  also  enlisted  and  lost 
a  leg  in  the  service.  His  wife  having  died,  he  married  Martha  Parks  in  1864,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Maggie. 

DAVID  WATKINS. 

Mr.  Watkins  was  born  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  1818,  and  moved  to  Marshall  county,  111.,  in  1837.  when  there 
were  but  few  settlers  on  the  prairie  near  him.  He  married  Miss  Eliza  J.  Hoskins  in  1844.  She  was  born  in  Picka- 
way county.  Ohio.  Theii  children  are  Wesley,  Albert  W.  and  Eliza  Jane.  Mr.  Watkins  owns  some  560  acres  of 
choice  land,  the  fruits  of  an  indnstrious  life.  It  is  all  in  cultivation,  except  40  acres  of  timber.  He  has  good 
buildings,  and  personally  oversees  its  cultivation. 

JAMES  GARRETT. 

Mr.  Garrett  was  born  in  Steuben  township  in  1850,  and  comes  from  a  family  whose  ancestors  fought  in  the 
Revolution,  and  one  of  whom  fell  at  the  massacie  of  Wyoming.  He  married  Miss  Charity  Newingham  in  1878,  bom 
in  Brown  county,  111.  They  have  one  chilH,  named  Emmett,  born  Au?.  26. 1879.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  ".ad  owns  150  acres  of  land.  Is  principally  engaged  in  raising  sheep  and  bogs.  He  has  about  200  sheep  at 
present,  and  will  increase  his  herd.  Mr.  Garrett  is  a  good  farmer  and  citizen. 

JAMES  TANQUARY. 

Mr.  Tanquary  was  bom  in  Washington  county,  Ohio.  June  17, 1831,  where  he  lived  until  1855.  In  1853  he  wed- 
ded Mrs.  Lncinda  Black>»ell,  and  to  them  was  born  one  son,  Nathan  Q.  Another  member  of  their  family  is  Ehial 
J.  Keyes,  a  boy  whom  they  raised.  Mrs.  Tanquarv's  maiden  name  wa«  Watkins,  she  having  married  in  1846  a  Mr. 
Blackwell,  who  became  the  father  of  two  sons,  William  K.  and  David  B.,  now  grown  to  man's  estate.  Her  parents' 
names  were  Josiah  and  Marv  Watkins.  Are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Mr.  Tanquary  and  his  Rons  have  a  fine- 
ly cultivated  farm  of  240  acres.  He  is  a  substantial  citizen,  well  known  and  widely  respected. 

JAMES  GALLUP. 

Mr.  Gallup  was  born  in  Windham  county,  Conn.,  in  1825,  and  moved  to  this  state  in  1840,  locating  in  Peoria 
county,  and  in  Marshall  county  in  1852.  where  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Li  Prair  e  township,  and  put  up  a  house  and 
moved  into  it  that  year.  He  had  occasion  to  return  to  Peoria  for  part  of  his  goods,  and  left  Mrs.  Gallup  alone  in 
their  new  house  on  the  prairie  three  days  and  three  nights.  The  first  night  a  pack  of  wolves  invaded  the  premises, 
making  the  night  hideous  with  their  terrific  cries.  It  was  new  music  for  the  ears  of  Mrs.  Gallup,  who  had  but  re- 
cently left  the  refined  civilization  of  Khode  Island,  where  she  was  born  and  brought  up.  But  she  came  out  all 
right.  He  lived  in  La  Prairie  about  11  years.  Engaged  in  the  meantime  in  the  grain  business  at  Sparland,  and  in 


754  RECORDS    OF   THE    OLDEN   TIME. 

1870  he  associated  with  him  Mr.  Noon,  and  added  the  lumber  trade  to  his  business.  He  married  Miss  Patience  C. 
Stone  in  1849.  She  was  born  in  Rhode  Island.  Aug.  81, 1826.  They  have  five  children,— George  H.,  Benjamin, 
William,  Juliette  and  Charles  F.;  and  three  deceased.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  been  through  all 
the  chairs  and  encampments.  He  left  home  at  the  age  of  15,  was  superintendent  of  the  laroe  woolen  manufactory 
of  Fox,  Rice  &  Co.,  Worcester,  Mass.,  at  20,  and  was  the  first  to  produce  fancy  cassimeres  in  the  United  States  of 
home  manufacture.  The  king  of  England  had  a  pair  of  pants  made  from  the  first  piece  produced  in  England  of  a 
fancy  pattern.  Mr.  Fox  had  a  porHon  of  the  same  piece  sent  him,  which  he  submitted  to  Mr.  Gallup,  with  the 
question  if  he  could  make  it.  which  he  set  about  and  successfully  produced.  This  gave  him  great  prominence  in 
the  manufactory.  3e  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  La  Prairie  township  and  some  seventeen  lots  in  Sparland.  Having 
made  his  "  pile,"  he  takes  the  world  easily,  and  hunts,  fishes  or  travels  as  fancy  dictates.  Last  year  he  ascended  to 
the  headwaters  of  the  Missouri  and  floated  down  in  a  canoe  to  its  mouth. 

MRS.  MARY  P.  THOMPSON. 

Mrs.  Thompson  is  widow  of  the  late  Asa  Thompson,  and  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Ramsay)  Orr.  She 
was  born  in  Cecil  county,  Md.,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Danville,  111.,  and  in  1833  to  ! /icon,  going  upon  the 
old  homestead,  one  mile  above  town.  She  married  Mr.  Thompson,  February  8. 1834.  He  was  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Jane  (Ewing)  Thompson,  natives  of  Virginia,  but  removed  to  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day,  where  their  son 
Asa  was  born.  Mr.  Thompson  first  settled  in  Chillicothe.  and  worked  at  his  trade  of  wagon  making,  but  removed 
to  Steuben  township  in  1835.  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  Feb.  15,  1874.  He  left  behind  him  a  good  name  and  six 
sons  and  daughters— Norton,  who  resides  in  Stenben;  William  E.,  in  Lacon;  Margaret  (Mrs.  Boys),  in  Livingston 
connty;  Melford  J..  in  Blandinsville  111.:  Joseph  A,  and  Mary  at  home,  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  man  of  ability,  and 
accumulated  a  large  property,  owning  nearly  800  acres  of  land  when  he  died.  He  held  various  local  offices,  and  was 
respected  by  all  who  made  his  acquaintance.  Since  his  death  Mrs.  T.  has  managed  the  estate  with  good  judgment 
and  prudence.  One  of  the  sons  is  treasurc-r  of  Marshall  county,  and  another  is  a  successful  grain  dealer.  They 
inherit  their  father's  prudence  and  their  mother's  executive  ability,  and  are  sons  any  parent  would  be  proud  of. 

SAMUEL  B.  MCLAUGHLIN. 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  comes  from  an  old  Scotch  covenanter  family  that  some  250  years  ago  lived 
on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  millers  as  had  their  fathers  before  them.  It  was  a  time 
of  bitter  religious  persecutions.  When  Catholics  were  in  power  they  persecuted  Protestants  without  mercy,  whip- 
ping, branding  and  murdering,  and  when  the  di&ciplos  of  Calvin  obtained  the  upper  hand  they  paid  off  in  like  kind. 
The  McLaughlins  were  Covenanters,  and  would  not  belie  their  religion.  Through  persecution  and  threatened  death 
they  clung  to  their  faith,  and  when  grim  old  Claverhouse,  who  was  never  known  to  show  mercy,  ordered  the  bead  of 
the  family  to  recant,  be  stoutly  refused,  and  told  Black  John  to  do  his  worst.  Eleven  times  they  strung  him  up,  but 
life  did  not  desert  him,  and  still  he  refused  to  give  up  his  religion.  But  it  was  not  the  Papist  leader's  purpose  to 
take  his  life.  Good  millers  were  scarce  and  could  not  well  be  spared,  so  they  left  him  more  dead  than  alive,  swear- 
ing to  return  again.  Far  in  the  distance  across  the  blue  channel  the  Irish  coast  was  visible.  The  miller  knew  his 
vindictive  enemies  would  surely  return  and  then  unless  he  recanted  no  mercy  would  be  shown,  so  making  his  ar- 
rangements hastily  and  secretly,  he  embarked  in  an  open  boat  with  his  family  and  such  goods  as  he  could  carry  and 
bade  adieu  to  his  native  land  forever.  He  found  an  asylum  in  Ireland,  where  he  lived  and  died,  with  his  wife  also. 
The  family  here  became  farmers,  and  nearly  a  hundred  years  later  one  of  the  name,  bidding  his  relatives  adieu, 
sailed  for  the  new  world  and  settled  in  Virginia.  Of  their  history  there  little  is  known  in  detail.  The  name  is  prom- 
inent in  the  annals  of  the  time,  and  several  members  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  fighting  manfully  on  the 
side  of  the  Co'onists.  After  its  close  they  drifted  to  the  "dark  and  bloody  ground,"  and  one  became  a  noted  Indian 
fighter.  After  the  border  tribes  were  defeated  and  dispersed  they  settled  down  to  peaceful  pursuits,  one  branch  lo- 
cating on  Green  River,  where,  on  the  17th  day  of  Feb.,  1813.  Samuel  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born.  His 
father  was  a  tanner  and  likewise  cultivated  a  small  farm.  The  country  was  new.  the  people  poor,  and  though  soil 
rvnd  climate  were  unsurpassed,  the  imperfect  means  for  tilling  the  earth  made  life  one  continued  struggle  for  ex- 
istence. Imagine  the  artistic  steel  plows  of  to-day  transformed  into  a  clumsy  affair,  with  a  short  beam,  a 
blunt  iron  point,  and  a  wooden  mould-board,  warranted  never  to  scour,  and  -yon  have  the  "Clipper"  plows 
of  our  forefathers.  It  was  commonly  drawn  bv  a  mule,  the  lines  and  traces  made  from  homespun  and  twisted 
hemp,  passing  through  the  wooden  hames  and  tied  with  a  knot;  a  shuck  collar,  and  the  whiffietrees  fastened  with 
withes  of  hickory  bark  to  the  plow.  Wagons  were  unknown,  a  clumsy  sled  being  the  only  means  of  conveyance  in 
summer  or  winter.  Good  schools  there  were  none.  During  the  winter  months  some  tramping  pedagogue  would 
gather  a  few  scholars,  and  ply  the  birch  and  ferrule  in  some  out  of  the  way  cabin  until  cleaned  out  by  the  larger 
boys,  which  usually  happened  about  the  middle  of  the  term  when  there  would  be  no  more  school  that  year.  The 
knowledge  obtained  under  such  circumstances  could  not  be  great,  yet  he  learned  sufficient  to  transact  ordinary 
business,  and  it  must  be  a  sharp  one  who  can  profit  by  his  want  of  information.  The  food  of  those  days  was  plain 
and  simple,  corn  bread  and  bacon,  or  "hog  and  hominy,"  formed  the  living  of  rich  and  poor,  the  luxuries  of  wheat 
bread  and  home-made  coffee  being  Indulged  in  only  once  a  week— on  Sunday  mornings.  Very  little  sugar  or  coffee 
was  used  or  to  be  had  if  desired.  Books  and  newspapers  in  that  benighted  region  were  unknown,  and  information 
from  the  outer  world  came  through  those  adventurous  voyagers  who  made  annual  trips  by  flatboat  to  New  Orleans, 
and  for  six  months  thereafter  were  the  self-appointed  oracles  of  the  village.  When  sixteen  years  old  his  father 
promised,  as  a  reward  for  extra  labor,  that  all  the  corn  raised,  besides  filling  a  certain  crib,  should  be  his.  It  may 
be  believed  the  weeds  had  little  show  that  season,  and  his  labors  were  rewarded  with  a  surplus  of  150  bushels.  A 
Christmas,  and  then  left  me.  On  this  day  commenced  what  has  ever  since  been  remembered  and  designated  as  the 


BIO&RAtHICAL  DEtARTME&T.  755 


neighbor,  the  proprietor  of  a  keel-boat,  was  going  on  his  annual  voyage  to  the  gulf,  and  young  McLauehlin  bar- 
gained, in  consideration  of  the  aid  he  should  give,  for  ten  feet  of  space  therein.  In  addition  to  his  share  of  the 
corn,  he  loaded  it  with  a  thousand  hoop-poles,  while  his  mother  sent  along  a  venture  of  chickens,  ducks,  etc  ,  with 
many  admonitions  as  to  -the  careful  expenditure  of  the  proceeds,  which  were  to  be  laid  out  in  such  products  as 
must  delight  the  maternal  heart.  The  questiou  of  getting  the  hoop-poles  on  board  involved  much  thought  and  la- 
bor. A  tram  to  haul  them  to  the  boat  was  out  of  the  question,  so  a  place  was  selected  as  near  the  river  as  possible, 
and  then  cut,  conveyed  by  hand,  and  rafted  to  where  the  boat  lay,  tour  miles  helow.  For  a  sixteen-year  boy  this 
was  an  undertaking,  unaided,  of  no  small  magnitude,  but  it  was  accomplished  after  infinie  labor  and  pains,  and 
the  craft  was  got  afloat.  Vll  went  well  until  it  struck  a  sand-bar,  and  refused  to  budge  another  peg.  Throwing  off 
his  clothes,  although  it  WAS  November,  he  swam  ashore,  walked  tour  miles  to  where  a  six-foot  brother-in-law  lived, 
and  by  their  united  efforts  at  lifting  and  pushing,  the  raft  was  afloat  again.  The  venture  was  a  auccecss,  the  corn, 
hoop-poles  and  chickens  finding  a  ready  market,  and  with  the  proceeds  laid  out  in  a  suit  of  store  clothes,  some  su- 
gar and  coffee  for  his  mother,  a  drawing-knife  for  his  father — a  wonderful  implement  in  those  days — he  returned  to 
enjoy  his  well  earned  laurels,  and  relate  his  surprising  adventures.  For  the  next  three  years  hi  lived  at  home 
When  19  he  started  on  Horseback  for  Illinois,  ostensibly  to  see  the  country,  but  in  reality  to  find  the  possessor  of  a 
pair  of  bewitching  eyes  that  had  stolen  his  heart  away  and  bad  it  in  her  keeping.  Both  were  found,  and  during 
the  season  he  was  married  to  Rachel  L.  Hammett.  His  choice  was  a  good  one,  and  to  her  industrj ,  frugality  and 
careful  management  hf  is  indebted  for  much  of  his  after  success. 

After  the  wedding  he  went  back  to  Kentucky  with  his  wife  and  worked  on  a  farm,  built  a  boat. etc.,  in  which 
he  returned  to  Illinois  in  1833  with  ten  dollars  in  his  pocket.  He  took  up  a  claim  above  Ctiillicothe,  put  a  cabin  of 
primitive  construction,  which  to  its  owners  seemed  a  palace.  The  floor  was  made  of  puncheons,  the  roof  of  shakes, 
and  the  windows  of  greased  paper.  Wooden  stools  sufficed  for  chairs,  a  store  box  in  which  their  goods  were  packed 
answered  for  a  table,  and  the  cradle — soon  needed,  was  hollowed  out  from  a  log  of  wood.  In  this  primitive  style 
many  of  the  now  wealthy  families  of  Marshall  county  began  housekeeping.  During  the  winter  he  clean  d  five  or 
six  acres  of  land,  which  with  the  aid  of  his  wife  he  planted  to  corn  and  potatoes  A  severe  cut  in  the  foot  disabled 
him,  but  the  corn  was  properly  cultivated  and  produced  a  good  crop,  though  he  was  obliged  to  labor  supported  by 
a  crutch.  They  lived  here  four  years.  Markets  were  too  distant  and  transportation  too  exp>  nsive  to  make  the 
raising  of  grain  profitable,  so  In  turned  his  attention  to  raising  cattle  and  hogs,  marketing  the  latter  with  Jabez 
Fisher,  ac  Lacon.  It  was  a  great  event  to  him,  when  after  paying  all  his  'debts  he  had  a  clean  surplus  of  $50  left. 
He  has  sold  wheat  for  15  cents  and  corn  for  8  cents  a  bffshel.  Occasionally  a  trip  was  made  to  Chicago,  loading  in 
with  grain  aud  out  with  lumber,  salt  and  household  necessaries.  When  lands  came  into  mtrket  there  was  much 
difficulty  in  raising  the  entrance  money — many  losing  their  homesteals.  McL.  had  little  money,  but  he  had  two 
yoke  of  oxen  and  a  cow,  with  which  he  started  for  Galena,  hoping  to  convert  them  into  money.  A  cash  customer 
cou'd  nofbe  found,  and  he  sold  them  on  credit  with  the  solemn  promise  that  payment  should  be  sent  down  before 
the  sales.  1  here  were  no  banks  or  exprtss,  and  the  money  must  be  risked  by  mail,  carried  by  a  tow-headed  boy 
on  a  blind  horse  for  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  But  those  were  days  when  men  were  honest  and  women  virtuous, 
and  the  cash  was  duly  paid  according  to  promise,  and  safely  arrived.  The  homestead  was  saved,  and  from  this 
time  prosperity  was  theirs,  and  riches  came  almost  unbidden.  In  due  time  the  old  cabin  gave  way  to  a  showy 
house  with  all  the  modern  improvements.  The  homemade  chairs  were  replaced  with  costly  mahogany;  the  old 
spiuning-wheel  to  a  thousand  dollar  Knabe  piano;  the  puncheon  floor  to  costly  carpets;  the  gourd  cup  and  tin 
plates  10  cut  glass  and  china.  He  owns  nearly  l&O  acres  of  land,  is  out  of  debt,  has  corn  and  wheat  in  the  crib, 
hogs  in  the  pen.  and  "  cattle  on  a  thousand  hills."  To  himself  and  wife  thirteen  children  have  been  born,  nine  of 
whom  survive.  Their  names  are  Martha  J.,  John  B.,  Andrew  J.,  Jefferson  M.,  Jennette  C.,  Susan  R..  Samuel  A., 
Harriet  A.  and  George  W.  Are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  filled  various  local  offices,  and  is  a 
good  neighbor  and  citizen. 

MRS.  RACHEL  L.  MCLAUGHLIN. 

My  maiden  name  was  Hammett,  and  I  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ky.,  six  miles  from  Bowling  Green,  in 
1812,  My  father  was  a  farmer,  and  likewise  a  blacksmith,  cultivating  a  few  acres  of  ground  on  which  the  necessary 
food  for  a  numerous  family  was  grown,  together  with  the  cotton  for  our  clothing  and  tobacco  for  home  consump- 
tion. Money  was  scarce  in  those  days,  and  with  many  mouths  to  fill  we  were  early  taught  to  work,  and  I  remember 
when  but  ten  years  old  of  carding  and  spinning  sufficient  cotton  to  make  half  a  >ard  of  cloth.  It  was  my  duty  to 
attend  to  this  department,  and  1  etrly  learned  to  plant  and  tend  the  cotton,  to  pick  it  when  the  time,  and  separate 
the  seeds.  This  was  our  summer  labor,  and  the  winter  was  devoted  to  cardirrg,  spinning,  coloring,  weaving  and 
making  up,  leaving  but  little  time  for  going  to  school.  My  father  had  a  numerous  family,  and  was  anxious  to  get 
where  land  was  cheap  and  the  boys  could  each  get  a  farm.  We  heard  much  of  Illinois;  many  of  our  neighbors 
went,  and  they  sent  back  such  glowing  accounts  that  in  the  year  I  was  twenty  he  started  with  bis  family.  We  had 
two  large  wagons,  five  yokes  of  oxen,  with  sheep,  horses  and  cows.  Myself  and  sister  drove  the  sheep,  my  younger 
brotheis  drove  the  cattle  and  horses.  After  a  long  but  not  eventful  journey  we  reached  the  hoped-for  land  of 
promise  and  settled  on  Senachwinc  creek,  one  mile  north  of  Chillicothe,  where  the  railroad  now  crosses.  Father 
and  my  brother-in-law  immediately  set  about  preparing  for  a  crop,  and  succeeded  in  breaking,  fencing  and  plow- 
ing sufficient  for  a  few  acres  of  corn.  A  rough  cabin  was  made  out  of  rails,  into  which  we  moved  until  a  larger  and 
better  one  could  be  built.  We  had  been  here  but  two  weeks  when  all  but  father  and  mother  were  taken  down  with 
the  ague.  Peoria,  twenty -one  miles  distant,  was  the  nearest  place  where  either  doctors  or  drugs  abounded,  and  I 
thought  I  should  surely  die;  but  a  good  constitution  pulled  me  through.  My  attack  of  fever  and  ague  lasted  until 
"great  snow  storm."  On  the  1st  of  February  there  came  a  heavy  rain,  carrying  off  the  snow  and  creating  a  great 


Rfccofcbs  OF  ITHE  OLDEN 

flood.  The  Senachwine  overflowed  its  banks,  and  the  back  water  from  the  river  came  up  so  rapidly  that  our  stock 
was  like  to  drown.  At  ten  o'clock  at  night  my  brother  and  sister  waded  out  to  the  canoe  and  made  their  way 
through  the  driftwood  to  Brother  John's,  while  the  rest  of  us  climbed  on  the  beds  to  keep  out  of  the  water.  My 
father  was  not  at  home.  When  he  returned  he  entered  the  house  in  his  canoe  and  took  us  off.  In  the  spring  we 
made  sugar,  and  the  next  summer  succeeded  in  raising  a  vory  good  crop  of  all  kinds.  I  here  was  no  mill  in  the 
country  at  that  time,  and  our  corn  and  wheat  was  ground  on  a  hand  mill  made  by  my  father,  p-nd  tbe  bran  separa- 
ted by  a  sieve.  My  wedding  cake  was  made  from  Hour  ground  in  this  manner.  In  the  fall  of  1831  I  was  married  to 
8.  B.  McLanghlin.  We  returned  to  Kentucky  and  lived  there  two  years,  but  didn't  get  ahead  much,  and  determined 
to  return  to  Illinois.  We  reached  my  father's  with  ten  dollars  in  cash  and  a  pair  of  ponies,  gave  five  dollars  to  a  Mr. 
Jones  for  a  claim,  and  paid  five  dollars  for  dishes.  Oar  first  labor  was  to  build  a  cabin,  after  which  we  cleared  ten 
acres  and  built  a  fence.  After  the  land  was  "logged"  and  the  brush  piled,  my  husband  cut  bis  foot  and  could  do 
nothing,  so  the  burning  them  up  devolved  on  me.  Women  of  now-a-days,  with  a  young  babe  and  no  "hired  girl," 
it'  left  in  similar  circumstances  would  have  very  likely  sat  down  and  cried,  but  I  had  no  time  for  that,  and  so  set  to 
work  and  burned  tbe  log  heaps  and  brush  and  hired  tbe  ground  broken  up  and  laid  off,  and  then  planted  it,  my 
husband  being  able  to  stand  on  one  foot  and  assist  some.  We  raised  a  good  crop,  and  have  since  been,  on  the 
whole,  quite  successful,  for  which  1  sincerely  thank  the  Lord.  In  course  of  time  the  cabin  on  the  bottom  gave  place 
to  a  more  convenient  house  on  the  place  where  we  now  live,  and  this  in  its  turn  has  been  replaced  by  one  of  more 
modern  style,  yet  after  all  I  think  1  found  as  much  true  enjoyment  in  the  little  cabin  whero  we  began  housekeeping 
as  I  have  since.  I  have  had  thirteen  children,  nine  of  whom  survive ;  seven  are  married,  and  I  have  fourteen  grand- 
children. RACHZL  L.  MCLAUGHLIN. 

MRS.  DELIA  DORAN. 

Mrs.  Uoran  was  born  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  1824.  Her  father  was  Frank  B.  Drake,  the  pioneer  settler  of 
Drake's  Grove,  from  whom  it  received  its  name.  When  ten  years  old  she  came  to  this  county,  and  in  1853  married 
Thomas  Uoran,  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  They  c-ime  to  the  old  homestead  to  live,  and  have  ever  since  remained 
there.  Two  children  have  blessed  their  union,  Mai  and  Lessie.  When  Mrs.  D.  came  to  this  country  it  was  almost  a 
desert,  and  their  journey  here  is  best  described  by  herself.  The  journey  was  made  in  company  with  her  parents, 
two  brothers  Frank  and  George,  and  the  children  of  the  latter,  one  of  whom  is  now  Mrs.  Sherburn  and  the  other 
Mrs.  Cotton,  of  Sparland.  The  little  company  passed  through  a  wild  and  uncultivated  country,  infested  with  game 
and  innumerable  snakes,  and  often  made  a  reluctant  halt  beside  swamps  in  place  of  a  better  locality .  F.  B.  Drake, 
who  is  noted  for  his  able  rending  of  a  good  yarn,  describes  the  traveling  as  endured  with  less  fortitude  when  some 
poor  soul  would  startle  them  with  a  deafening  yell  of  "Get  off  my  head!"  Their  team  being  part  oxen  and  not  de- 
cidedly fleet,  were  forsaken  at  one  point  by  Mrs.  D.,  who  describes  the  self  importance  with  which  she  set  forth, 
remarking  she  would  walk  to  tbe  next  house  and  wait  till  they  arrived  the  following  day,  but  was  met  with  the 
withering  reply  there  was  not  a  house  within  15  miles.  Thev  intended  wintering  at  Springfiel  I,  but  could  find  no 
habitation  excepting  those  whose  former  inhabitants  had  all  died  of  the  cholera,  and  not  liking  these, 
they  pushed  on  8  miles  further  to  a  settlement  of  southern  people,  who  nad  been  there  for  20  years,  and  owned  300 
acres  of  splendid  land  and  large  droves  of  cattle,  feeding  them  on  unhusked  shocks  of  corn,  which  tbe  following 
t-pring  was  burnt  if  not  consumed  by  the  stock,  preparatory  to  another  crop.  Their  food  consisted  of  bread  ground 
on  an  ox  or  horse  mill,  and  pork  fried  to  a  cracklin  over  their  fire-places— stove  t  being  unknown— no  fruit  or  vege- 
tables, excepting  a  very  few  sweet  potatoes.  Their  school  house,  12  by  14  feet  square,  furnished  light  from  one 
window  having  but  four  small  panes  of  glass,  and  scholars  numbering  about  60,  all  of  whom,  both  boys  and  girls. 
had  learned  to  chew  tobacco.  In  the  winter  these  resolute  emigrants  received  a  visit  from  Dr.  Wm.  Thompson,  who 
having  some  acquaintance  with  the  country  and  being  most  pleased  with  what  la  now  Marshall  county,  advised 
their  removing  there,  which  they  accordingly  did  in  the  year  1835  and  found  the  country  very  sparsely  inhabited, 
save  with  wolves,  deer,  wild  hogs,  prairie  chickens  and  wild  turkeys. 

They  settled  on  Senaohwine  Creek, what  has  since  been  called  Drake's  Grove,  in  honor  of  Mrs  D''s  father,  F.  B. 
Drake,  sr.,  who  was  the  first  white  settler.  Their  nearest  neighbor  on  tbe  east  was  a  Mr.  Graves,  living  where  Spar- 
land  now  stands;  on  the  west  was  Gen-  Thomas,  at  Wyoming,  a  distance  of  16  mi[es:  on  the  north  lived  Elder 
Cnenoweth,  a  Baptist  minister,  this  being  15  miles  dist  int.  Ij  Lacon  there  was  but  one  house,  though  there  were 
several  scattered  along  the  river  bottoms.  The  wild  animals  were  fierce  and  quite  dangerous,  wild  hogs  sometimes 
"treeing"  settlers  and  keeping  them  there  until  friends  came  to  their  relief,  which  might  not  be  until  starvation 
seemed  imminent.  Dter  were  so  plenty  that  the  hunters  killed  several  a  day,  while  the  Indians  were  peaceable,  but 
caused  much  anxiety  from  their  peculiar  mode  of  association,  coming  into  the  house  and  searching  for  something 
they  wished,  and  upon  finding  it,  would  offer  to  swap  their  venison  and  wolf  meat,  the  latter  of  which  the  settlers 
invariably  declined.  The  distance  to  mill  being  twenty-rive  miles,  the  trip,  including  detention  at  the  mill,  would 
often  occupy  a  week,  while  those  at  home  would  pound  corn  upon  which  to  subsist  during  their  absence.  Obliged 
to  travel  over  a  trackless  prairie,  they  often  became  lost  from  wandering  round  and  round,  supposing  they  were 
taking  a  direct  route  for  home.  To  pay  for  their  hind  they  took  their  cattle  on  foot  to  Chicago,  receiving  $6  to  $10 
a  head  for  the  best,  while  Mrs.  Drake's  mother  took  cheese,  etc.,  to  St.  Louis  to  lighten  tne  family  expenses. 
Mr.  Drake  was  once  employed  by  William  Fenn,  then  engaged  in  merchandising,  to  plough  a  furrow  from 
Sparland  to  Wyoming,  to  direct  people  here.  It  may  be  set  down  ai  the  longest  advertisement  ever  made.  While 
living  in  the  state  of  New  York  himself  and  two  others  discovered  a  den  of  rattlesnakes,  and  destroyed  30J.  One 
of  the  men  fell  in  convulsions  from  the  poison  inhaled  and  died  on  the  ground,  the  other  died  not  long  after,  while 
Mr  Drake  was  ever  after  subject  to  cramps,  and  finally  died  from  cancer  in  the  face,  the  effect,  as  stated  by  physi- 
cians, of  inhaling  the  poison. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  757 


SAKATOGA  TOWNSHIP. 


WILLIAM  J.  TOWNSEND. 

Mr.  Townsend  is  a  merchant  residing  in  Gamp  Grove,  Saratoga  township.  He  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Ohio, 
n  1850,  and  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1853.  His  father  located  at  Gamp  Grove  the  same  year.  Mr.  T.  married 
Miss  J.  E.  Honghtaling  in  1876.  She  was  born  in  Beardstown,  and  have  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
December,  1879.  Stella  and  Henry  Everet  are  living.  Mr.  Townsend  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  since 
1876.  He  carries  a  general  stock  of  all  goods  suitable  to  his  trade.  He  owns  a  fractional  80  acres  of  land  where  he 
is  doing  business.— section  31.  He  has  been  postmaster  since  1877.  He  is  a  successful  young  business  man. 

PETER  GARY. 

Mr.  Gary  is  a  farmer,  living  on  section  33.  Postoffice,  Sparland.  He  was  born  in  Albany  county,  New  York, 
in  1880,  and  located  in  this  county  in  1854,  where  he  has  followed  farming  ever  since.  He  married  Miss  Henrietta 
Halsted  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  Albany  county.  New  York.  They  have  one  son.  Charles  D.  Mrs,  Gary  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  SI.  E.  church.  Mr.  C.  is  justice  of  the  peace  at  the  present  time,  and  has  been  for  the  last  seven  years, 
and  has  also  been  school  trustee.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  in  good  cnltivation. 

JOSEPH  RAY. 

Mr.  Hay  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Va.,  in  1815,  and  located  in  this  state  in  1853.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Becks 
in  1837,  born  in  Washington  county,  Pa.  They  have  three  children,— Elizabeth,  Newton  and  Luther.  He  is  an  old 
resident  of  the  township,  owns  a  good  farm  of  160  acres,  and  is  very  pleasantly  situated.  He  has  filled  several  local 
offices,  and  is  well  known  and  widely  respected. 

PATRICK  DORAN. 

Mr.  Doran  was  born  in  county  Meath,  Ireland,  in  1827.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1851,  locating  first  in  New 
York,  and  in  Illinois  in  1854.  He  married  Miss  Ellen  Mornan  in  1864,  also  born  in  Ireland.  They  have  eight  chil- 
dren,- inn,  Walter,  Philip,  Johanah,  John,  Ellen,  Patrick  and  Bridget  E.  They  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church,  He  owns  80  acres  with  fine  improvements.  Mr.  Doran  is  a  successful  farmer,  generous  and  hospitable. 

GEORGE  SCIIOLES. 

Mr.  Scholes  was  bom  near  Manchester,  England,  in  1826,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  only  two  years 
old  with  his  parents,  who  located  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  They  came  to  Peoria  county  in  1838,  and  to  thin 
county  when  he  was  18  years  of  age.  He  married  Miss  Lola  ffilmot  in  1848.  She  was  born  in  New  York,  and  moved 
to  tliis  state  when  18  years  old.  They  have  five  children  living— Ann,  Elizabeth,  Clarissa  F.  (Faris),  William  and 
Walter  (twins),  and  George.  Has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  12  years,  school  director  and  trustee,  and  road 
commissioner,  etc.  Mr.  Scholes  owns  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township,  and  his  home  is  the  abode  of  every 
comfort.  He  is  a  leading  citizen  in  the  county  socially,  politically  and  financially,  and  his  family  is  one  of  which 
any  parent  may  be  proud. 

MRS.  NANCY  CAMERY,  Widmv 

Mrs.  Camery  was  born  in  Rookingham  county,  Va.,  in  1801 .  She  married  Mr.  Christopher  Camery  in  1821. 
He  was  born  in  Winchester  county,  Va..  in  1791,  and  died  March  11.  1875,  leaving  nine  children— John,  James,  Chris- 
topher, David,  Isaac,  Elijah,  Samuel,  Mary  and  Arinand  J.  Her  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Messick.  Mr.  Carcery 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  served  with  distinction,  and  Mrs.  C.  claims  a  pension  on  his  account.  She 
owns  160  acres  of  iand  with  good  improvements. 

PATRICK  COLLINS. 

Mr,  Collins  was  born  in  County  Wicklow,  Ireland,  in  1829.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1847,  when  only 
18  years  old,  and  at  once  assumed  his  position  in  the  world  as  a  man  prepared  to  battle  for  his  share  of  God's  gifts, 
clothed  with  integrity  and  armed  with  the  strong  bow  of  determination  and  perseverance.  He  first  worked  at  daily 
labor  at  $6.00  per  month,  but  his  aim  was  upward'  He  soon  discovered  that  under  the  bright  rays  of  the  western 
sun— under  the  glorious  constitution  of  this  free  republic  the  young  shoots  of  honest  labor  would  bloom  for  all 
men  alike,  the  foreigner  as  well  as  the  native  born.  He  has  successfully  demonstrated  by  his  grand  success,  that 
the  narrow-minded  prejudice  of  the  few  can  in  uo  way  impede  the  progress  of  the  many  who  come  to  this 


758  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

country  to  enrich  it  hv  tbeir  labor.  He  first  located  in  Chester  county,  P.I.,  and  in  1851  in  Marshall  county,  III.  Be 
married  Miss  Margaret  Monier  in  1858.  She  is  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  They  have  eight  children— Sarah  J  , 
Thomas,  Charles,  Annie,  James.  Charlotta,  John  and  Edward.  Mr.  Collins  owns  240  acres  of  land,  all  in  cultiva- 
tion. He  has  just  completca  undoubtedly  the  finest  residence  in  the  township,  furnished  in  the  most  elegant  and 
substantial  manner  from  cellar  to  garret,  including  all  available  modern  improvements.  The  location  is  a  very 
desirable  one,  commanding  a  view  of  the  entire  country  in  every  direction.  He  has  Bold  off  most  of  his  other  prop- 
erty, as  he  believes  that  a  farm  of  240  acres,  well  managed,  is  better  than  a  section  neglected.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  in  this  part  of  the  country  to  introduce  the  great  improvement  of  tile  draining,  and  has  reaped  a  large  interest 
from  the  investment.  And  lastly  we  can  say,  that  Mr.  Collins  is  not  carried  away  above  bis  fellow  men  by  his  suc- 
cess, like  too  many.  He  is  the  same  plain,  unassuming,  kind-hearted,  hospitable  man  he  always  was.  Ho  truly 
retains  in  a  practical  manner  the  characteristics  of  his  native  land.  His  latch  hangs  outside  the  door. 

JOHN  CARVER. 

Mr,  Carver  was  born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  in  1828,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1863.  He  first 
located  in  Connecticut,  came  west  in  1855,  and  settled  in  Bureau  until  1859.  and  then  located  in  this  county.  He 
married  Mary  Sullivan  in  1857.  She  was  born  in  County  Kerry.  Ireland.  They  have  had  two  children,  both  de- 
ceased. Are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Carver  owns  80  acres  of  land,  and  is  a  thrifty,  industrious,  lib- 
eral citizen,  taking  an  active  part  in  all  mattern  of  general  interest  in  his  neighbornood.  He  might  be  classed  as 
an  Americanised  Irishman. 

FERDINAND  YERGER. 

Mr.  Yerger  was  born  in  Baden.  Germany,  in  1828,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1856.  locating  in  Marshall 
county,  111.,  where  he  married  Nancy  Harenden  in  1861.  She  was  born  in  this  state.  They  have  two  children,  Wil- 
liam and  Robert,  and  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  During  the  war  Mr,  Yerger  could  not  leave  his  busi- 
ness to  serve  in  the  army,  and  furnished  a  substitute.  He  is  a  good  citizen,  owns  111)  acres  of  land,  and  is  a 
thrifty  farmer. 

MOSES  HERTLEY. 

Mr.  Hertley  was  born  in  England  in  1826,  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  only  three 
years  old.  They  located  in  Wheeling,  Va.  He  went  to  St.  Louis  in  1845,  and  in  1854  came  to  Henry,  111.,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  of  bricklayer  until  1861.  He  purchased  160  acres  of  land  and  removed  to  his  present  home- 
stead. He  married  Jane  Maxwell  in  1851,  bom  near  Wheeling,  W.  Va.  They  have  three  children,  Britt,  Annie 
J.  and  Adna.  He  has  served  as  school  trustee  several  terms.  He  purchased  80  acres  in  Saratoga  in  1861,  and  80 
acres  in  Whitefield  township  in  1871,  which  he  maintains  in  excellent  cultivation. 

HENRY  APPLEN. 

Mr.  Applen  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  111.,  in  1818  and  moved  to  Henry,  Marshall  county,  with  his  mother  in 
1851.  He  is  a  son  of  Job  and  Elizabeth  Applen,  who  came  o  Peoria  county  in  1833.  Mr.  Applen,  ST.,  died  in 
1850.  Henry  Applen  married  Mary  Wilcox  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  New  York  in  1850.  They  have  five  children- 
Harry.  Frank,  Alice,  William  and  Lane.  Mr.  .  Applen  attends  the  M.  E,  church.  He  owns  80  acres  of  land  with 
good  improvements.  He  is  a  good  blacksmith  and  the  ring  of  his  hammer  is  heard  early  and  late. 

MICHAEL  DOUGHERTY. 

Mr.  Dougherty  was  born  in  County  Longford,  Ireland,  in  1830  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  where 
be  located  in  Marshall  county.  He  lived  in  Senachwine  township,  Putnam  county,  14  yean,  and  married  Mary 
Mulhern  in  I860-  She  was  born  in  County  Donegal.  Ireland.  Their  children  are  Sarah.  Jane,  John,  James, 
Charles  and  Mary.  They  are  consistent  members  of  the  Catholic  chnreh.  Mr.  Dougherty  is  school  director. 
He  owns  80  acres  of  land  in  a  prosperous  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a  liberal,  generous  hearted  man  and  a  good 
neighbor. 

GEORGE  C.  LOMBARD. 

Mr.  Lombard  was  born  in  Maine  in  1833.  and  came  west  and  located  in  Marshall  county  in  1855.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  P.  Hayes  in  1861,  born  in  New  Hampshire.  They  have  three  children— Nellie  L.,  Lillie  IX  and  Charlie. 
He  was  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  He  is  well  informed  upon  matters  of  daily  import,  stands  in  good 
repute  among  citizens  of  the  township  and  is  a  careful  farmer. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  759 


WHITEFIELD  TOWNSHIP. 


CIIAUNCEY  W.  BARNES. 

Mr.  Barnes  is  a  son  of  Jeremiah  Barnes  and  Betsey  Condrey,  of  Hampden  county,  Mass.,  and  was  born  in 
1814.  Their  sons  were  John  N,,  located  in  Bradford  county.  Pa.;  Robinson  in  Sullivan  county.  Pa. ;  Jeremiah  C,  in 
Bradford  county.  Pa.  Chauncey  W.  left  Massachusetts  in  1823,  and  came  to  Bradford  county.  Pa.,  living  there  un- 
til the  fall  of  1836,  when  he  went  to  Florid,  111.,  and  in  the  spring  moved  to  Evans  townshin  in  this  county,  and  from 
there  came  to  Whitcfield,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  In  1833  he  married  Mis«  Sallie  B.  Martin,  daughter  of 
Benajeh  and  Abigail  Easterbrocks,  of  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  formerly  from  Woodstock,  Conn.  They  have  had  seven 
children,  three  «»f  whom  are  living. — George  M.  resides  in  Kansas,  Chauncey  C.  in  Whitefield  and  Charles  L.  in  Mis- 
souri. George  M.  enlisted  in  the  army  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace.  Owns  a  farm  of  160  acres.  His  wife  died  in  1872.  Mr.  Barnes  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  in  the  township, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  "Old  Settlers1  Association."  His  recollection  of  early  history  is  distinct,  and  he  is  good 
authority  on  the  subject.  Is  a  man  of  enlarged  views,  clear-headed,  and  a  good  citizen. 

RUDOLPH  KING   (deceased). 

Mr.  King  was  born  in  the  Canton  of  Zurich,  Switzerland,  in  1820,  and  came  to  theUnited  States  in  1852,  locat- 
ing rirst  in  Henry,  and  in  Whitefield  in  1855,  remaining  there  until  1866.  when  he  purchased  the  home  where  he  af- 
terward lived.  He  married  Emily  Kendrick  in  1855.  She  was  born  In  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1827.  Mr.  King 
died  Jan.  27, 1877,  leaving  seven  children— Sarah  L.,  William  H.  Sophia  R.,  Albert  B.,  Francis  M.,  Willetta  and 
Laura  A.  Mr.  King  devoted  his  time  to  the  elegant  farm  which  he  was  engaged  in  cultivating.  Sophia  R.  mar- 
ried Charles  Hawksworth.  They  have  one  child,  Arratta  Demarch,  born  March  11, 1879.  Mrs.  Kingand  heirs  owns 
320  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  with  first-class  improvements.  This  farm  is  one  of,  if  not  the  best 
improved  farms  in  Saratoga  township,  or  in  the  county.  Sarah  L.  visited  Europe  for  her  health,  in  company  with 
i'  •  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  of  this  township,  in  1878. 

KERLEY  WARD. 

Mr.  Ward  was  born  in  1820  in  Fulton  county,  N.  Y..  and  is  a  son  of  Jesse  Ward  and  Sarah  Johnston,  They 
bad  eight  children— Jesse  (deceased),  John  O.,  resides  in  Beloit.  Wis..  Sarah  Meacham,  in  Williamston,  Mass.,  Mary 
4.  (deceased),  Jeremiah,  in  Iowa,  SamueKdeceased),  Thomas  (deceased).  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Indi- 
ana in  1846  and  located  in  Switzerland  county,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1851  came  to  Henry,  111.  He  is  a  farmer  and 
owns  240  acres  of  land.  In  1846  he  was  married  to  Boxy  J,  Phillips,  daughter  of  Porter  Phillipsand  Polly  Bliss,  of 
N.  Y.,  who  died  in  1865.  He  married  aaecond  time,  Hannah  Payne,  daughter  of  Thomas  Payne  and  Margaret  Fletch- 
er, from  England.  The  grand-father  of  Mrs.  Ward  resides  in  Whitefield  at  the  advanced  age  of  95  years.  Mr  Ward 
has  six  children.  Alvena  E.  married  Horatio  Clark  and  lives  in  Bureau  county;  Jennette  R.  is  a  teacher  in  Bureau 
county;  Emma  L.  is  a  teacher,  and  lives  in  Iowa;  George  W.  resides  in  Bureau  county;  William  K.  and  Mary  live 
at  home. 

ADDISON  TANQUARY. 

Mr.  Tanquary  was  born  in  Steuben  township,  Marshall  county,  111.,  in  1837.  He  married  Miss  Ellen  Williams 
in  1859,  born  in  Clay  county,  111.  They  have  five  children— C.  M.,  Mary  A.,  George  8.,  Lawrence  H.  and  Nellie.  Mr. 
T.  is  a  Member  of  the  M.  E  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O,  F.  He  enlisted  in  company  E  86th  Regiment 
111.  Volunteers  Aug.  IS.  1862,  and  served  during  the  war.  He  took  part  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  regiment 
fought  and  shared  the  glory  of  Sherman's  march  to  the  sen.  He  was  wounded  at  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  March  19, 1865 
and  was  discharged  for  disability  from  the  effects  of  his  wound.  He  has  never  recovered  the  use  of  bis  arm  which 
is  stiff  at  the  elbow  joint. 

RICHARD  WAUGHOP. 

Mr.  Waughnp  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  Va.,  Oct.  8, 1830,  and  was  a  son  of  Kic  hard  Waughop  and  Eliza  Willis. 
They  had  five  children— Jane  F.,  Rebecca  (deceased),  Eliza  (died  in  infancy),  Amos  and  E.,  living  in  Decatur,  111. 
Mr.  Waughop,  sr.,  married  a  second  time  to  Mary  \.  Bowman,  of  Virginia,  by  which  marriage  they  had  eight  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mary  E.  married  Xenophon  Wilmot  and  resides  in  La  Prairie;  Dr.  J.  W, re- 


7 CO  EECOEDS    OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

sides  in  Olympia,  Washington  Ty. ;  William  H,,  in  Davis  county,  la. ;  Virginia  A.  married  S.  B.  Wilmot,  deceased; 
Benjamin  F.,  of  Ford  county;  Prof.  Geo.  W.,  ot  Hedding  College,  Knox  county.  111.;  Sarah  A.,  deceased;  Emma 
married  Rev.  E.  Van  Petten,  of  Peoria.  Mr.W.was  married  April  2d,  1857,to  Mary  C.  Bon  Durant,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Q.,a  native  of  Virginia,and  Marcy  S.Hay,  born  in  Kentucky,  residents  of  Tennessee,  and  her  grand  father,  John  Hay  , 
was  a  native  of  Boston, Mass.  To  them  were  born  four  children,  Clara  B..lsaac  W.,  Marcie  A. and  Richard  L,  all  living 
at  home.  Game  west  in  1834  with  her  parents,  settling  in  Tazewell  county,  111.,  where  they  paused  their  days,  Hia 
father  was  a  ship  carpenter  by  trade  and  afterward  a  farmer.  Left  Tazewell  county  at  the  age  of  23  and  came  to 
La  Prairie  township  and  lived  there  four  years,  returned  to  Tazewell  county  and  remained  four  years,  and  came  to 
Whitefield  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He  has  a  farm  of  160  acres.  Is  a  member  of  tho  Christian  church,  Mrs.  Waughop 
was  a  school  teacher  for  many  years  in  Tazewell  and  McLean  counties. 

DEACON  M.  DUNLAP. 

Mr.  Dunlap  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  Nov.  3, 1838,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Dunlap,  born  and  raised  in 
Kockingham  county,  Va.,  and  Margaret  Robinson,  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  who  had  eleven  children,  only 
four  of  whom  survive.  Sarah,  married  William  York  and  resides  in  Henry;  John  in  Iowa;  Ann  Eliza  married  Nel- 
son Ham,  and  located  in  Kansas.  Mr.  Dunlap  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1817,  settled  in  Fulton  county,  then 
went  to  Peoria  county,  and  in  1852  came  to  Marshall  county.  Mr.  Dunlap,  sr.,  died  in  1834.  He  was  a  blacksmith 
and  gunsmith.  Mr.  D.  married  Sabra  E.  Wood,  daughter  of  Thomas  Wood  and  Rachael  Flowers,  Apriil  10th,  1867. 
They  had  two  children  —  Lois  M.  and  Oscar  M.,  deceased.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  his  farm  consists  of  80 
acres.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Harmon  G.  Reynolds  Lodge,  No.  325.  Also  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  MrD., 
sr..  was  a  member  of  the  fame  church  and  an  earnest  and  zealous  worker  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 
Deacon  M.  is  a  zealous  worker  in  the  temperance  cause,  likewise  is  a  class  leader  in  the  M.  E.  church. 
Mrs.  D.  was  a  teacher  for  twelve  years  in  Marshall  and  Stark  counties. 

JOHN  HENEY  SAXBY. 

Mr.  Saxby  was  born  in  county  Kent,  England.  Feb.  12. 1819.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855  and  lo- 
cated in  this  county.  He  is  a  bachelor  and  lives  for  the  good  of  others.  He  is  a  liberal,  kind  hearted  man,  and 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

WABNEE  COMBS. 

Mr.  Combs  was  born  in  Hampshire  county,  Va.,  in  1825,  and  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Combs  and  Sarah  Edwards,  of 
Virginia,  from  which  marriage  were  born  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living— Harriet  married  George 
Eyeptone  and  resides  in  Wyandotte  county,  Ohio.  Mary  Jane  married  Benj.  W.  Pitegell  and  resides  in  Kewanee, 
Henry  county.  111.  John  resides  in  McDonough  county,  Thomas  in  Whitefield,  and  Isaac  in  the  Indian  Territory. 
Mr.  Combs  married  Elizabeth  Wood,  daughter  of  Frances  Wood,  of  Wyandotte  county,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children — Sarepta,  Horace,  Emma,  Electa,  and  Sherman.  Mrs.  Combs  died  in  1866.  He  entered  the  marriage  state 
a  second  time  in  May,  1868,  marrying  Hannah  Johnson,  daughtar  of  Henry  Johnson  and  Mary  Davidson,  of  Ken- 
tucky. Of  this  union  are  two  children— Charles  Harrington  and  Edna  Viola.  Mr.  Combs  came  to  Illinois  in  the 
spring  of  1852  and  located  where  he  resides  at  the  present  time,  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  also  owns  a  stock  farm  of  800 
acres  in  the  town  of  Steuben.  The  grand  parents  of  Mr.  Combs  on  the  paternal  side  were  John,  born  in  Frankfort, 
Germany,  and  Ellen  Snell.  On  the  maternal  side,  Thomas  Edwards  and  Martha  Cesner. 

ELNATHAN  PLATTEE. 

Mr.  Platter  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Platter  and  Hannah  Coxe,  of  Miami  county,  Ohio,  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  May  31, 1828.  Mr.  Platter,  sr.,  was  a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pa.  Hannah  Coxe,  of  Miami,  O., 
and  her  mother  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Cincinntti.  Of  the  union  of  Hannah  and  Jacob  Platter  were 
born  12  children.  8  of  whom  are  now  living.  Nicholas  H.  resides  in  Wells  county,  Ind.,  David  P.  in  Missouri,  Abra- 
ham H.  in  Polk  county, Oregon,  Jeremiah  F.  in  Wayne  county.  la.  Elizabeth  married  John  Combs  and  resides  in 
Champaign  county,  111.;  Bethsheba  married  H.B.  Ulen  and  resides  8  illivan  county.  III.:  Sarah  married  Franklin 
Kirk  and  resides  in  Davenport,  Iowa;  Zerniah  mairied  Timothy  S.  Hunt  and  resides  in  Marshall  county.  Two 
died  in  infancy  and  one  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  Elnathan  came  fr>  Illinois  Oc.t.  8, 1841,  and  lived  in  Peoria 
county  until  1852.  and  then  removed  to  Whitefield  township  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Ma- 
ria Gage,  daughter  of  Philo  Gage  and  Elizabeth  Tull,  both  of  New  York  state.  They  have  had  ten  children,  eight 
of  whom  are  still  living- Ella  May,  Jacob  E.,  Rhorta  Maul,  Stella  Grace,  David  (deceased).  Nellie  Augusta,  Mary 
Caroline,  Sarah  (deceased),  Ida  and  and  Caly  Daisy.  Mr.  Platter  has  followed  the  vocation  of  farming,  and  owns 
130  acres  in  the  township.  Is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  a  leading  citizen. 

ClIESTEE    BiDWELL. 

Mr.  Bidwell  was  born  in  Cumberland  county.  New  Jersey,  June  17. 1845,  son  of  Georee  Bidwell  and  Phebe 
Davis.  Mr.  Bidwell,  senior,  was  a  native  of  itiddlebury,  Vt.,  and  Mrs.  Bidwell,  of  Cumberland  county.  N.  J.,  and 
were  married  December  1,  1836,  He  came  to  this  state  in  June.  1852.  and  located  in  Whitefield  township  His  voca- 
tion was  that  of  a  farmer.  In  early  life  had  been  teacher  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey.  Held  the  offices  of  school 
trustee  an  I  commissioner  of  highways,  and  assisted  in  laying  out  many  of  the  public  roads  ot  Whitefield.  While  a 
citizen  of  New  Jersey  was  a  member  of  the  seventh  day  Baptists.  Died  June  13, 1879.  His  widow,  the  daughter  of 
Rev.  John  Davis,  ie  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  seventh  day  Biptists  as  taught  by  her  father.  Mr.  Bid- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT.  761 

well  was  a  man  of  great  intelligence  and  highly  respected  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  preserved  an 
individuality  to  a  remarkable  degree,  was  a  lover  of  antiquities,  revered  the  relics  of  the  past,  and  held  sacred  the 
mementoes  of  friends.  Chester  Bidwell  retains  a  relic  in  the  shape  of  a  fowling  piece  in  perfect  preservation, 
handed  down  from  George  Bidwell,  his  grandfather,  whose  name  is  graven  upon  the  mounting  made  for  him  when 
a  young  man,  and  who  carried  it  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  at  the  siege  of  Ticondaroga  and  Crown  Point, 
also  a  set  of  silver  spoons  that  were  given  to  his  father  by  his  mother,  which  ace  more  than  a  century  old.  He  re- 
sides on  the  old  homestead  with  his  mother  in  her  74th  year,  and  carries  on  the  farm  which  contains  120  acres.  A 
sister,  Delia,  married  William  True,  October  27, 1869,  died  January  1.  1861.  A  brother  John  died  February  24, 1861, 
aged  nine  years. 

ALERED  J.  DEIHL. 

Mr.  Delhi  was  born  in  Frederick  county, Md.  in  18S3,and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Deihl.of  York  county  Pa.,  and  Mary 
A.Kohler,  a  native  of  Adams  county.  They  had  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  survive.  Ezekiel  resides  in  White- 
field;  Alice  married  Jas.  8.  Brassfield,  of  Sparland;  Marv  A.  married  A.  W.  Forney,  Woodford  county;  Calvin  re- 
sides in  Sedgwicit  county,  Kan.;  Irena  married  Ichabod  McKinney,  Champaign  county  III.;  Martin  L.  lives  in  Ford 
county,  111.  Mr.  D.  came  west  in  1862.  first  settling  in  Peoria  county,  and  then  in  Marshall  county.  Was  married 
in  1867  to  Sylvia  M.  Aunt,  daughter  of  Richard  Hunt  and  Ruth  Horram,  residents  of  Wbitefield,  formerly  from 
New  Jersey.  They  have  four  children— Mahlon  A..  Blanche  May,  Carrie  R.  and  Ina  Pearl.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in 
company  B.  86th  111.  Volunteers.  Was  corporal  ordnance  sergeant,  and  color  serzeant  Fought  at  Mill 
Creek,  Tenn.,  Dec.  4.1862;  Cnicamauga.  Ga,.  Sept.  18,  19.  20, 1863;  Mission  Ridge.  Tenn.,  Nov.  24,1863;  Buzzard 
Boost,  Ga.,  Feb.  25, 1864;  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Ga.,  Jan.  27, 1864.  Was  discharged  at  Catnp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  Aug. 
5th,  1865.  for  wounds  received  in  battle.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  241  acres  of  good  land. 

H.    D.    BoNHAM. 

Mr.  Bonbam  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  and  came  to  Marshall  county  with  his  parents  in  the 
spring  of  1835.  He  is  a  son  of  Warford  Bonham,  who  died  July  23, 1869,  leaving  nine  children,  of  which  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  the  youngest.  He  married  Miss  Luana  Swift  in  1852.  She  was  born  in  Angelica,  N.  Y.  They  have 
five  children  living— Alice  H.,  Rosco  L.,  Millar.il'.,  Carrie  M.  and  Emily  N..  and  one  deceased,  Lillie  8.  He  is 
school  director,  and  has  been  assessor  two  times.  He  owns  210  acres  of  land  in  sections  35  and  36  The  lather  of 
H.  D.  Bonham  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  note.  He  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1781.  and  lived  there  until  his 
tenth  year,  when  bis  father  having  died  his  mother  removed  to  Washington  county.  Pa.,  where  he  labored  on  a  farm 
until  18  years  old,  when  he  visited  Ohio  and  selected  a  location  near  the  then  new  town  of  Bainbridge.  In  1808  he 
married  Rebecca  Mason,  and  opened  a  hotel.  In  1812  he  enlisted  and  throughout  the  war  commanded  a  company 
serving  in  north-western  Ohio,  returning  at  its  close  to  his  hotel,  which  he  run  until  1824,  when  he  removed  to 
Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  and  went  to  farming,  following  it  until  hid  removal  west  in  1834.  In  that  year,  with  an 
outfit  of  one  four-horse  and  two  two-horse  wagons  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  the  place  where  he  ever  after  lived 
in  1834.  A  partial  sketch  of  him  is  given  elsewhere.  He  died  in  July,  1869.  aged  88  years.  He  was  the  father  of  12 
children,  the  grandfather  of  83,  and  the  great-grandfather  of  27 . 

CHARLES  WILSON  PECK. 

Mr.  Peck  was  born  in  Canton.  Fulton  county,  111.,  November  12,  1845,  son  of  Wilson  Peck,  of  Greenwich, 
Conn.,  and  Phebc  Alward.  of  Tiosa  county.  Pa.,  of  which  union  there  are  six  children  living,  namely,  Benjamin 
W.,  Alice  M.,  Elisba  R..  William  and  Willette  (twins),  Benj.  W  and  Elisha  R.  reside  in  Kansas.  Alice  married 
George  Vale  in  Whitefield  township.  William  is  in  Woodford  county;  and  Willette  married  Albsrt  J.  Martin, 
and  resides  near  Minonk,  111.  Chas.  W.  married  Sophrona  Ketchum,  daughter  of  Eddy  Ketchum  and  Harriet 
Smith,  pioneers  of  Peoria  cennty.  By  this  marriage  have  been  bora  five  children— Millicent,  Harriet,  Eddy, 
Charles  aud  Harry.  Mr.  Peck  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  47th  Reg.  111.  Vol.,  served  one  year  and  was  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  Is  a  farmer.  His  ancestral  line  is  so  distinctly  defined  and  so  worthy  of  emulation  among  the 
citizens  of  the  west  that  it  is  entitled  to  prominence  as  connected  with  the  records  of  the  olden  time.  His  father, 
Willson  Peck,  was  son  of  Elias,  who  was  son  of  Robert,  born  June  30,  1739,  all  of  Greenwich,  who  was  the  son  of 
Samuel,  boom  in  1706.  the  son  of  Jeremiah,  born  in  1659.  both  of  Guilford,  Conn.,  and  son  of  Jeremiah,  born  in 
1623  in  the  city  of  London,  Eng..  who  came  to  this  country  with  his  father,  William  Peck,  who  was  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  the  New  Haven  Colony  in  1637.  Mrs.  C,  W.  Peck  has  six  brothers  and  two  sisters  as  follows :  Daniel  resides  in 
Henry  county;  Mrs.  John  Combs  in  McDonough  county;  Eliphalet  in  Ford  county;  Ichabod  C.  in  Champaign 
county;  Smith  in  Henry  county;  Spencer  and  Sidney  in  Marshall  county;  and  Martha  E.  married  Horace  J.  Stan- 
cell  in  Ford  county. 

CHARLES  TAYLOR  BRANDENBURG. 

Mr.  Brandenburg  was  born  in  Harrison  county.  Ind..  in  1849.  and  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Brandenburg  and  Sarah 
Guartney.  He  came  to  Marshall  county  in  1868,  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Sarah  E.  Andrews,  with  wnom  he 
united  in  marriage  in  1875.  and  has  one  child,  Sarah  Edna.  Miss  Andrews  was  daughter  of  Harmon  Andrews,  who 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  1820,  and  Eliza  Peterson,  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  They  were  married  in 
Fulton  county,  111.,  Nov.  22.  1843,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,— Benjamin  C. 
and  Daniel  H.  reside  in  Ford  county,  111. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  E,  Brandenburg  lives  on  the  old  homestead;  Jas.  H.  in  Mar- 
shall county,  and  Jennie  lives  in  Lacou.  Mr.  Andrews  in  early  life  was  a  ship  carpenter,  but  located  in  Fulton 


762  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

county  in  1843,  and  followed  farming  until  the  war  with  Mexico,  when  he  enlisted  and  served  until  its  close.  An  old 
flint-lock  gnn  is  preserved  in  this  family,  bearing  the  inscription,  "  Vera  Cruz,  March  27th,  Cerro  Gordo,  April  18th, 
1847,"  battles  in  which  he  was  actively  engaged.  In  1855  he  came  to  Marshall  county  and  entered  160  acres  of  land 
by  the  warrant  issued  him  for  service  in  the  Mexican  war.  In  the  beginning  of  the  late  rebellion  he  raised  Co.  G. 
47th  111.  Inf.  Vols.,  but  afterward  resigned  and  formed  another  company,  of  which  he  was  captain  and  wai  attached 
to  the  151st  reg't  111.  Vols.  He  was  taken  prisoner  Oct.  3 1, 1862,  at  the  battle  of  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  paroled  Oct.  15, 
1862.  The  circumstances  of  his  capture  were  as  follows:  A  shell  bursting  near  his  company,  a  piece  struck  him  so 
as  to  stun  him,  and  on  regaining  bis  senses  he  found  himself  alone,  his  company  having  passed  on  in  the  battle. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  having  served  with  honor,  and  returning  to  private  life,  resumed  nis 
vocation  as  a  farmer.  He  served  as  county  treasurer  two  terms,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1875, 
uwnwl  240  acres  of  land  in  Marshall  and  600  acres  in  Ford  county. 

ROBERT  S.  ERWIN. 

Mr.  Erwin  was  born  in  Butler  county.  Pa.,  in  1829,  and  was  a  son  of  John  Erwin  and  Mary  Batts,  of  Hagers- 
town,  Md.  They  had  seven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living.  Mr.  E.  came  west  in  1855,  and  ban  lived  in  Whitefield 
ever  since.  When  the  86th  Reg.  111.  Vols.  was  formed  he  enlisted,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  and  confined  in  the  hospital  until  the  close  of  the  war.  His  brother  Charles  also  enlisted,  and  served 
some  time  in  the  artillery  service.  Both  were  honorably  discharged  when  the  war  *ras  over.  Mr.  John  Erwin,  father 
of  the  above,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  and  obtained  a  land  bounty  for  his  services.  One  of  Mr.  Erwin's 
sister's  married  Henry  Kirk,  the  descendant  of  a  British  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who  deserted  from  his  command 
and  settled  in  this  country. 

CYRUS  BROWN. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  N.  Y.,  April  22, 1828.  Son  of  Luther  Brown,  formerly  of  Grot- 
ton,  N.  H.,  and  Permalia  Parker,  daughter  of  Ansim  Parker,  formerly  «,f  Dorset,  Vt.  Came  to  Stenben  county,  Ind., 
in  1840,  with  his  parents  and  resided  there  until  1849  where  his  father  died  in  1843.  His  mother  died  March  25, 1864, 
at  Fairbnry,  111.  In  September.  1849,  came  to  Marshall  county,  and  in  1856  located  in  Whitefield  township.  Mar- 
ried in  February.  1858,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Barnes,  daughter  of  William  G.  Barnes,  of  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  and 
Clarissa  Warfiold,  also  of  Pennsylvania.  Has  four  children, — Florence  N.,  Jasper  W.,  Carrie  E.  and  Edmund  L. 
Served  in  the  army  during  the  late  rebellion  one  year,  from  Sept.  30, 1864.  to  October  25. 1865,  in  the  32d  Reg.  111. 
Vols.  Has  held  the  several  offices  of  constable,  supervisor,  school  treasurer  and  justice  of  the  peace.  Has  three  sis 
ters  and  two  brothers  living, — Mrs.  Alvira  Malcolm,  who  resides  in  Cambridge,  Henry  count} ,  111. ;  Mrs.  Eliza  Jones, 
in  Ventura  county,  Cal.,  and  Mrs.  Lydia  A.  Patten,  San  Jose,  Cal.  Anson  resides  in  Sumner  county,  Kansas,  and 
Orson  in  Cass  county.  Iowa.  Mrs.  Brown,  grandmother  of  Cyrus,  lived  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution,  and  often  re- 
lated seeing  the  burning  of  Charlestown  on  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Mr.  Brown  owns  a  farm  of 
320  acres. 

SOLOMON  NIGHSWONGER. 

Mr.  Nighswonger  lives  in  Whitefield  township,  Marshall  county,  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  West  Virginia, 
October  13.  1815,  son  of  Reason  Nighswonger  and  Susan  Bumngton.  To  them  were  born  six  sons  and  three 
daughters,  namely :  Jane  Sargent,  who  resides  in  Stark  county.  111. ;  Peter  in  Davis  county.  Mo. ;  Abraham,  White- 
field;  Samuel.  Iroquois  county:  Lena  Rickard,  Pike  county;  Reason,  Monlton,  Iowa;  Asa,  Steuben,  and  Mary  Rob- 
inson, Livingston  county.  In  1833  he  married  Anna  Johnson  daughter  of  Henry  Johnson  and  Mary  Davison,  from 
Kentucky.  Have  had  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom  afe  dead.  Those  living  are:  Mary  Marshall,  who  resides 
in  Whitefield;  Henrietta  Holler,  Whitefield:  Margaret  Boomer,  Wayne  county,  Iowa;  Richard  J,,  Green  Co.,  Iowa; 
Lewis,  Livingston  connty;  Josephine  Holler,  Sparland;  Lnania  Kerr.  Whitefield;  Joshua  F.,  at  home;  Susan  Hole- 
ton.  Chillicothe,  and  Paul  at  home.  Two  died  in  infancy,  and  Adeline  Bin-son  died  at  the  age  of  32  years  and  left 
two  children.  Solomon  and  Alice,  who  are  living  near  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  In  early  life  Mr.  Nishswonger 
followed  the  business  of  building  boats,  piloting  and  as  captain  of  boats  on  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  In 
the  year  1834  or  1835,  after  the  completion  of  a  steamer  built  at  Naples,  111.,  those  engaged  in  its  building  went  on 
an  excursion  down  the  Illinois  river  to  St.  Louis.  On  account  of  the  name  of  the  boat—  "Cold  Water" — the  citizens 
of  that  city  refused  to  permit  her  to  land,  the  temperance  name  in  those  days  being  incompatible  with  the  habits 
and  customs  of  the  people.  She  was  therefore  obliged  to  cross  to  the  opposite  side  and  change  her  name  before  the 
passengers  could  effect  a  landing  in  that  city. 

ENOCH  GEO.  GREEN. 

Mr.  Green  is  a  wealthy  and  influential  farmer  of  Whitefield,  born  in  Saratoga  county.  New  York,  in  1827,  and 
son  fof  Philip  and  Nancy  Adddington  Green,  to  whom  twelve  sons  and  daughters  were  born,  nine  of  whom 
suvive.  Their  names  are  Malissa  Pettitt,  Isaac  A,.  Susan  M.  Lake,  Sally  Berry,  Caroline  Hepperly,  Philip 
H.,  Samuel  L.  and  Elizabeth  M.  Doty.  Mr.  G.  came  west  in  1837  with  his  parents,  and  lived  in  Peoria  county  until 
1849,  when  he  moved  to  Henry.  Has  been  a  resident  of  Whitefield  township  13  years.  In  1849  he  married  Harriet 
M..  daughter  of  J.  B.  Coykendall,  of  Allegany  county,  N.  Y..  and  to  them  were  born  nine  children,  seven  of  whom 
survive  as  follows:  Braganza  and  Andrew  J.,  living  at  Yates  City;  Jonathan  at  San  Jose,  Cal.;  Mary  Grayson  at 
Bussell.  Iowa,  formerly  eight  years  a  teacher  in  Farmiugton  and  Lewiston);  John  R.  Tecumseh,  Kansas,  and  Ho- 
ratio G,,  at  Bismark,  Dacotah.  One  sister,  Augusta,  died  in  infancy,  and  Elizabeth  W,  was  a  very  successful 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 


763 


teacher  in  Peoria  county,  who  died  in  1861.  Jonathan  is  engaged  in  the  packing  business  at  San  Jose,  and  John  U. 
was  a  gallant  soldier  in  the  llth  1)1  Cav.,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Horatio  went  into  a  Wisconsin  bat- 
tery as  private  and  returned  with  a  captain's  commission.  Mr.  Green  was  for  a  number  of  years  in  the  lumber 
trade  at  Henry,  and  has  always  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  business  and  politics  of  the  county.  He  tilled  the 
offices  of  supervisor,  justice  and  several  others,  and  bears  a  high  reputation  for  ability,  loyalty  and  integrity.  He 
owns  a  large  farm,  and  is  "  well  to  do  "  in  the  world, 

WILLIAM  FOUNTAIN. 

Whitefield,  111. 

S.  P.  HILL. 

Whitefield,  111. 


•   t 


APPENDIX — ADDITIONAL   CHURCHES.  765 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  articles  and  biographies  were  omitted,  for  accidental  causes,  from  their 
proper  places  in  the  body  of  the  work,  and  are  inserted  here. 


SANDY  CREEK  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  church  was  organized  September  3, 1836,  at  Caledonia,  Putnam  county,  1)1.,  the  Presbytery  being  com- 
posed of  Elders  Jeriel  Boot  and  James  B  Chenoweth  a-d  Deacon  Jesse  Sawyer. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members:  Wm.  E.  Larking.  John  Brumsey,  Joseph  Ash.  Joel  Corbel, 
J.  D.  Glenn,  Rachel  Larkin,  Elizabeth  Ash,  Marian  Graves,  Sarah  Glenn. 

Of  this  number  but  two  are  living.  After  the  church  was  constituted  Wm.  E.  Larkins  was  chosen  deacon,  and 
J.  D.  Glenn  clerk,  the  latter  holding  this  office  in  the  church  until  bis  death.  In  the  November  following  the  or- 
ganization Jas.  B.  Chenoweth  was  chosen  pastor  and  moderator. 

The  chnrch  now  has  a  membership  of  55. 


CLEAR  CREEK  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

The  Clear  Creek  congregation  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  by  R3V.  8.  E.  Hudson, 
of  Pennsylvania  Presbytery,  Nov.  26,  A,  D.,  1854,  with  twenty-four  members,  the  following  names  comprising  the 
original  membership:  Able  Campbell,  Eliza  Campbell,  \bleW  Campbell,  Oliver  P,  Price,  Elizi  A.  Price,  Melissa 
McCall.  Greenberry  Bosley,  Huldah  Bosley,  Jacob  8.  Bosley,  Lucinda  A.  Boslev,  Martha  J.  Harford,  Maria  Wise 
John  Taylor,  W.  H.  Brown,  John  N.  Wood,  Sarah  J.  Wood,  Isaac  Ong,  Mary  Ong,  H.  C.  Morris,  Elizabeth  Morris 
Dr.  Jas.  M.  Barber,  Mary  Ann  Price,  Matilda  Mills,  Benonia  Harford. 

In  1874  the  membership  had  increased  to  forty. 


EMANUEL  CHURCH  OF  GRANVILLE. 

This  church  is  the  result  of  a  union  of  the  Evangelical  and  Methodist  Protestant  denominations,  and  was 
organized  in  1867.    The  present  membership  is  fifteen. 


MT.  PALATINE  COEGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

This  church  was  organized  February  7, 1869,  Kev.  J.  E.  Roy  officiating,  assisted  by  Revs.  J.  West  and  H .  V. 
Warren. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Wm.  Baldwin.    Present  pastor,  Rev.  R.  E.  Robinson. 

The  original  membership  was  thirteen  in  number.    Present  membership,  twenty-eight. 


THE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  OF  LACON. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Lacon  was  organized  March  31st,  1865,  with  eight  constitutent  members,  viz : 
L.  Holland,  L.  G.  Thompson,  James  McWhinney,  B.  T.  Baldwin,  [,  8.  Mahan,  Jane  Mahan,  Jane  McWhinney  and 


766  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

K  'ther  Bun  ham.  The  organization  wan  effected  mainly  through  the  labors  of  Rev.  I.  S.  Maban,  who  became  the 
first  pastor, 

In  1857  the  present  church  building  was  erected  and  dedicated  the  same  year,  free  of  debt  excepting  a  small 
amount  due  some  of  the  members  of  the  cnurch.  The  house  and  lot  cost  abjut  $1.500.  The  adjoining  lot  WHH 
bought  and  the  present  parsonage  placed  upon  it  in  1871. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  great  Rebellion  in  1861  the  male  membership  of  the  church  was  less  than  a  dozen,  all 
told.  Of  thin  number  four  offered  up  their  lives  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  their  country.  George  Wright  was  the 
first  from  Marshall  county  to  lose  his  life  during  the  war,  dying  near  Cairo,  111.,  June  6, 1861.  Deacon  Martin  Hoag- 
land  and  John  S.  Stockton  fell  in  the  charge  at  Vicksburz,  May  22. 1862.  James  II.  Powers,  jr.,  died  on  a  hospital 
boat  on  the  Mississippi,  and  rests  in  an  unknown  grave.  How  many  churches  can  show  a  better  war  record,  actu- 
ally losing  one  half  ite  male  membership? 

Since  the  organization  of  the  church  about  four  hundred  persons  have  been  received  into  its  membership,  a 
little  more  than  half  of  this  number  being  received  by  baptism. 

The  Sunday  school  connected  with  the  church  was  organized  May  1, 1855,  and  has  been  maintained  without 
intermission  to  the  present  time. 

The  church  has  bad  the  pastoral  labors  of  the  following  ministers  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  named :  Revs. 
I.  8.  Mahan,  A.  P.  Graves,  J.  P.  Agenbroad,  8.  H.  D.  Vaun,  D.  Heagle,  J.  H.  Parmelee,  L.  M.  Berry,  J.  Cairns,  A.  B. 
Tomlinson,  J.  P.  Agenbroad,  G.  C.  Yanosdel  and  W.  D.  Shields. 


CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  EVANS  TOWNSHIP. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  on  Sandy  was  organized  by  Rev.  Fatten  Mitchell,  in  1835  or  '36.  The 

Society  when  first  organized  consisted  of  John  S.  Hunt  and  wife,  J.  Morley  and  wite,  and Gates  and  wife. 

J.  S.  Bunt  was  the  first  Ruling  Elder  elected  by  the  Society.  In  the  winter  of  1836  7  the  Society  was  strengthened 
by  the  addition  of  Samuel  Cox  and  wife,  George  Beatty,  Anna  Paget,  James  Caldwell  and  wife,  Win.  Brown  and 
wife,  James  Beatty  and  wife,  Jacob  Myers  and  wife,  Win.  Swarts  and  wife,  and  Jane  Bowman.  Soon  after  Charles 
Paget,  Albert  Bowman  and  Harah  Bowman  joined  the  Society,  and  Albert  Bowman  was  elected  an  Elder  in  the 
church.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  in  charge  of  the  Society  for  three  years,  and  was  then  succeeded  br  Archibald  Johnson, 

The  first  camp  meeting  ever  held  in  this  Township,  and  perhaps  in  the  county,  was  under  the  administration 
of  Mr.  Johnson,  in  the  summer  of  1841,  and  was  held  on  the  Adams  farm,  then  owned  by  Samuel  Cox.  Robert  Tay- 
lor succeeded  Mr.  Johnson,  and  in  the  summer  of  1842  held  another  camp  meeting  on  the  same  ground.  These 
meetings  and  other  special  occasions  were  attended  by  Cornelius  Johnson,  a  brother  to  Archibald  Johnson,  and  a 
man  of  much  more  than  ordinary  ability.  At  the  camp  meeting  in  1842.  Mr.  Taylor  at  the  close  of  a  very  earnest 
sermon  drove  the  people  all  from  the  encampment  under  a  peremptory  order  for  all  to  retire  to  the  woods  for 
prayer.  While  the  sinners  began  to  scatter  for  tbeir  homes,  the  faithful  obeyed  the  order,  and  in  a  few  minutes  in 
every  direction  was  heard  the  voice  of  earnest  supplication.  Toward  the  close  of  the  same  meeting  Mr.  Taylor 
chose  for  his  text:  "  Rejoice,  O  young  man  in  thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and 
walk  in  the  ways  of  thine  heart  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes."  He  began  by  telling  the  people  that  he  had  been 
trying  to  tell  them  how  to  get  to  heaven,  but  they  were  not  disposed  to  hear  him,  and  now  be  proposed  to  tell  them 
how  to  go  to  hell, 

Other  pastors  that  followed  were  W.  Lornnce,  D.  Vandevender,  D.  Curry,  W.  Hutchinson,  W.  Bishop,  P. 
Bishop,  Patten  Trowhdale.  S.  Hudson,  J.  J,  Houston,  S.  Shnll.  Marlow,  Kreider  and  Rogers. 

The  Sandy  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was  erected  in  1868,  under  the  administration  of  John  J.  Hous- 
ton. The  present  pastor,  Mr  Rogers,  is  serving  that  Church  in  connection  with  the  Society  at  Clear  Creek. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  Wenona  was  organized  in  1861,  by  8.  R.  Shnll.  The  Ruling  Elders 
were  John  Taylor,  Robert  Snodgrass  and  John  N.  Wood.  The  following  ministeis  have  since  been  in  charge  of  the 
Church:  8.  R.  Hudson,  P.  K.  Hedges,  D.  M.  Harris,  L.  R.  Woods,  R.  T.  Marlow  and  J.  C.  Mornyea.  For  the  past 
three  years  the  Church  in  Wenona  has  had  no  pastor. 


BETHEL  CHURCH,  STEUBEN. 


Rev.  Zadok  Hall  preached  and  organized  an  M.  £ .  Church  at  Joseph  Thompson's,  appointing  James  Tanquary 
class-leader  in  1836.  About  that  time  Rev.  Palmer,  from  Crow  Creek,  also  organized  a  Christian  church  at  Warlord 
Bonbam's  8r..  where  dinner  was  always  prepared  for  the  congregation,  who  had  an  invitation  to  stay  for  afternoon 
services.  Shortly  after  Marearet  Thompson  (daughter  of  Joseph  T.)  taught  school  in  a  house  built  by  Mr.  McQuier, 
of  Virginia,  near  the  former  location  of  Bethel  church,  the  first  school  in  that  vicinity. 

In  the  year  1837  the  people  built  a  respectable  log  school  house  on  the  hill  near  3  par  land,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 


APPENDIX THE   VILLAGE    OF    SPARLAND BIOGRAPHIES.  767 

Moffit  first  teacher.    The  people  there  organized  a  Sabbath  School,  which  was  attended  by  people  from  Licon,  wh  o 
crossed  the  river  in  canoes,  and  also  from  other  directions,  who  walked  miles  to  help  carry  on  the  work. 

The  contract  to  build  Bethel  church  was  taken  by  Asa  Thompson  in  the  fall  of  1948,  to  be  located  on  his  land 
near  bis  residence,  and  framed  of  oak  or  black  walnut,  having  four  pair  of  principal  rafters,  with  oak  sheeting  and 
pine  shingles,  to  be  built  in  a  substantial,  workmanlike  manner,  and  completed  by  the  first  of  November,  1849,  for 
six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  Trustees  were  John  8.  Hoskins,  James  Tanquary.  Jehial  Watkins,  Leonard 
Tim  me  >ns  and  I.  Q.  Tanquary. 


THE  VILLAGE  OF  SPARLAND. 

The  pioneer  of  Sparland  waa  Franklin  Ward  Graves,  whose  tragic  fate  ia  told  in  these  pages,  3e  was  succeeded 
by  George  Sparr.  who  gave  it  a  name.  The  opening  of  valuable  coal  mines  here  laid  the  foundation  for  the  village, 
and  the  building  of  the  Bureau  Valley  Railroad  gave  it  life  and  animation.  In  course  of  time  came  a  grain  ware- 
house and  stores,  and  it  became  one  of  the  most  important  points  of  shipment  along  the  road.  It  is  the  outlet  of 
the  large  and  productive  territory  west  of  it,  and  here  is  annually  shipped  immense  quantities  of  grain,  cattle  hogs, 
etc.  It  contains  two  dry  goods  and  two  grocery  stores,  one  hardware,  one  drug  store,  one  lumber  yard,  an  elevator, 
and  several  mechanic  shops.  It  has  a  fine  school  building,  several  churches,  an  Odd  Fellows  and  Masonic  hall,  a 
number  of  fine  private  residences,  and  an  intelligent,  enterprising  population. 


ADDITIONAL  BIOGRAPHIES. 


GREENBERRY  L.  FORT,  Lacon,  Marshall  -Co.,  III. 

Greenberry  Lafayette  Fort  WHS  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Margaret  Furt,  and  born  October  llth,  1H25,  in  French 
Grant,  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  where  lie  lived  until  May,  1834,  when  they  removed  to  Round  Prairie,  now  Marshall 
county,  Illinois.  (Steamboats  rarely  ascending  above  Peoria,  a  keel-boat  was  procured,  upon  which  they  embarked, 
and  landed  at  the  month  of  Crow  Creek,  from  whence  they  obtained  transportation  by  waaons  to  the  family  of 
James  Dever,  a  brother  cf  Mrs.  Fort,  then  living  in  the  old  stockade  erected  as  a  defence  against  trie  Indians  during 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  where  they  remained  until  his  father  built  a  house  on  land  he  purchased.  (Jreenherry  at  this 
time  was  about  nine  years  old,  and  the  first  labor  he  performed  was  dropping  corn  and  driving  a  breaking  team  of 
seven  yoke  of  oxen  for  his  father.  His  first  school  was  taught  by  Klizabeth  Orr,  now  Mr*.  II.inc<ick.  He  likewise 
attended  schools  taught  by  A.  Johnson.  Jesse  B.  Bane,  Samuel  Work  8.  P.  Ogle.  Jus.  II.  Brown.  Harvey  Scott,  and 
others.  His  education  was  finished  at  Rock  River  Seminary.  He  was  a  good  worker  on  the  farm,  ana  occasionally 
hunted  deer  and  other  game  with  hounds,  but  did  not  take  kindly  to  carrying  a  gun.  Their  own  harvest  over,  he 
assisted  others.  Has  hauled  wood  to  Lacon  and  sold  it  for  60  cents  a  cord,  helped  run  a  threshing  machine,  and 
once  hauled  wheat  to  Chicngo  and  sold  it  for  49  cents  a  bushel,  campiug  at  night  where  the  city  hall  and  court 
house  now  stand.  He  studied  law  in  Lacim,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1860.  His  first  "  brief  "  was  in  the 
Woodford  circuit  court,  where  he  appeared  for  a  Dr.  Barney.  Judge  (now  Senator)  David  Davis  presided,  and 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  opposing  counsel.  In  1850  he  was  nominated  by  the  Whigs  for  sheriff,  and  ran  against 
Addison  Ramsay,  Democrat.  The  election  was  sharply  contested,  and  he  wjus  elected .  In  1852  he  ran  for  county 
clerk  on  the  Whig  ticket,  and  was  elected  over  S.  J.  McFaddin,  Democrat.  His  father  died  in  August.  1854,  aged  80, 
and  his  mother  in  June,  1855,  and  both  are  buried  in  the  familv  cemetery  on  a  high  bluff  overlooking  the  valley  of 
Crow  Creek.  He  was  much  attached  to  them,  and  a  fine  monument  marks  their  resting  place.  In  1857  he  ran 
against  P.  M.  Janney,  of  Henry,  for  judge  of  the  county  court,  and  was  elected.  He  was  married  May  25th.  1858,  to 
Clara  E.  Boal,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  Boal,  and  to  them  two  children  have  been  given,— Nina,  born  in  November, 
1861,  and  died  in  April,  1&63.  while  he  was  in  the  army.  He  was  tenderly  attached  to  this  little  girl,  and  still  grieves 
for  the  loss.  A  son,  Robert  B.,  waa  born  April  25th',  1867,  and  is  attending  school.  April  17th.  1861.  upon  the  first 
call  for  troops,  he  enlisted  as  a  private,  was  elected  1st  lieutenant  of  Company  B,  llth  Keg.  111.  Vols.,  was  mustered 
in  at  Springfield  April  22d,  and  served  three  months.  Returning,  he  recruited  Co.  I  for  the  three  years  service. 
Owing  to  the  exigencies  of  the  times  no  arrangements  for  transporting  men  to  the  field  bad  been  made,  and  these 
expenses,  amounting  to  over  $1200,  were  paid  by  him,  and  have  never  been  returned.  He  served  in  the  army  of  the 
Tennessee  on  both  field  and  staff  duty  through  all  its  campaigns,  and  was  chief  quartermaster  of  the  15th  army 
corps  on  the  famous  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the  Sea,"  and  until  the  final  surrender  of  Johnson's  army.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  grand  military  review  at  -VaBhmgton,  and  was  ordered  with  Sheridan's  command  to  Tuxas,  where 
he  waa  muatered  out  aa  Colonel  at  Galveaton,  returned  to  Lacon  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  In  1866  he 
was  sent  to  the  Illinois  State  Senate,  was  made  chairman  of  the  penitentiary  committee,  and  secured  the  pasaage 
of  a  law  giving  persons  credit  foi  good  behavior,  to  be  deducted  from  their  term  of  service.  Was  elected  to  the  43d 


768  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 

Congress  in  1872  as  a  Republican  over  Geo.  O.  Barnes,  Independent;  was  re-elected  to  the  44th  over  Jas.  G.  Bayne, 
Independent;  to  the  46th  over  Geo.  W.  Parker,  Independent,  and  to  the  46th  over  C.  C.  Strawn.  Greenbacker,  and 
T.  M  Shaw,  Democrat.  During  his  time  in  Congress  he  has  endeavored  to  do  his  duty  and  serve  his  constituents. 
representing  not  them  alone,  but  the  whole  Northwest.  He  is  now  a  partner  with  Joseph  E.  Ong  and  J.  C.  Boal  in 
the  practice  of  law.  Col.  Fort  is  now  in  the  very  prime  of  life,  and  coming  from  a  line  of  long  lived  ancestors  and 
blessed  with  good  health,  will  probably  live  for  many  years. 

WILLIAM  FORD,  Lacon,  Marshall  Co.,  111. 

Mr.  Ford  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1806.  The  family  were  farmers  and  came  from  Connecti- 
cut. His  life  was  like  that  of  most  boys  in  a  new  country,  laboring  on  the  firm  in  summer  and  attending  school 
in  winter  where  he  picked  up  a  scanty  education.  With  the  first  money  earned  he  bought  a  sbeep,  to  which  he  af- 
terward added  a  calf  aud  next  a  colt.  This  laid  the  foundation  of  his  fortune.  Having  a  natural  aptitude  for  me- 
chanics he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  followed  it  thirty  years,  though  his  money  was  made  mainly  by  farm- 
ing. In  1830  he  married  Rachel  Hollister,  who  brought  him  nine  children  all  of  whom  are  dead,  and  in  1367  his 
wife  died  also.  In  1868  he  married  Mrs.  Emily  W.  Loveland  (Gould), wich  whom  he  has  happily  lived  until  the  present 
time.  While  living  in  the  state  of  New  York  he  cleared  up  a  fine  farm  which  he  sold  at  a  round  price  and  removed 
to  Valparaiso,  [mi.,  from  when  :e  he  came  to  Lacon  in  1869.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  across  the  river  and  has  a  good 
sum  at  interest, while  Mrs.  Ford  owns  230  acres  of  land  in  her  own  right,  besides  other  valuable  property.  They  take 
the  world  contentedly,  accept  the  blessings  God  has  given  them  thaakf  nlly,  and  live  happily  in  the  enjoyment 
of  their  pleasant  heme  and  the  society  o  their  friends. 

ERASTUS  R.  McKiNNEY,  Nursery,  Florist  and  Gardener,  Lacon,  III. 

Mr.  McKinney  was  born  in  New  York  state  in  1834.  He  moved  to  Licon  in  1847  and  worked  at  the  carpenter 
trade  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  1,  llth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  \uijust  20, 1861.  and  served  until  wounded  at 
Pittabnrs  Landing,  April  16, 1862,  and  was  discharged  through  disability  arising  from  the  effect  of  his  wounds  Aug. 
19, 1862.  He  returned  to  Lacon,  and  as  soon  as  suffioently  recovered  returned  to  the  quartermaster's  department  as 
overseeing  clerk  in  the  repair  shop,  where  he  remained  until  April  20th  1863.  He  married  Cynthia  Cooper  in  1857, 
born  in  Ohio.  They  have  six  childien— Sarah  V.,  Belle  I  .Nellie  A.,  Minnie  M.,  Arthur  W.  and  Alnah  H- 

SMITM  M.  GARATT,  Lacon,  Marshall  Co.,  111. 

Mr,  Garatt  is  of  French  descent,  the  ancestor  of  his  familv  in  this  country  having  been  an  officer  in  the 
French  army,  who  came  here  long  before  the  Revolution.  He  was  the  engineer  who  constructed  a  work 
of  defense,  in  Connecticut,  known  as  "  The  Old  Stone  Fort."  His  descendants  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
one  of  whom,  Major  John  Garatt,  was  an  officer  in  a  Connecticut  regiment,  killed  at  the  massacre  of  Wyoming, 
Pa.  Smith  M.  Garatt  is  a  cousin  of  Amasa  Garatt,  of  Steuben  township,  in  this  county,  their  fathers  being  brothers 
Corinth  Garratt,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  from  Con  necticut  about  1820,  and  afterwards  settled 
in  Spencer,  N.  Y.,  where  Smith  M.  Garatt  was  born.  He  was  educated  at  Alfred  University,  graduated  at  the  Al- 
bany Law  School  in  the  class  of  1861,  and  the  same  year  came  west  and  opened  a  law  office  at  Lacon,  111  From  1868 
to  1872  he  served  as  State's  attorney  of  the  then  23d  circuit  composed  of  Marshall.  Woodford  and  Putnam  counties. 
In  1862  he  married  Bell  V.  Cook,  daughter  of  lion .  W.  E.  Cook,  of  Lacon,  HI.,  by  whom  he  has  three  children—  Cor- 
inth C.,  Leonora  J.  and  Eunice  Monroe,  (the  name  Monroe  being  conferred  because  it  was  the  maiden  name  of  the 
mother  of  Mr.  Garratt.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  h:s  first  vote  having  been  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for 
president  when  he  run  the  seoond  time.  lie  voted  twice  for  General  Grant  for  the  same  office,  and  is  decidedly  in 
favor  of  nominating  him  again. 

WILLIAM  J.  FORT,  Judge  of  the  County  Court  of  Marshall  County. 

Mr.  Fort  was  born  in  Hichland  township,  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  in  1844,  and  was  a  son  of  the  late 
G.  W.^Tort.  The  family  name  was  formerly  LaFeurt.and  traces  its  lineage  back  to  LaBelle  France.  He  obtained 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  vicinity,  and  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  having  followed  the  plow  more  or  less 
until  1862.  when  he  entered  the  arujy  as  quartermaster's  agent,  and  filled  the  position  up  to  the  close  of  the  war, 
having  followed  ite  movements  and  witnessing  many  notable  events.  After  the  peace  he  returned  to  the  farm 
again,  and  for  a  short  time  was  engaged  in  merchandising,  but  the  death  of  his  father  threw  the  care  of  the  large 
estate  left  on  his  hands,  and  he  remained  on  the  farm  until  elected  to  the  position  he  now  holds.  In  politics  Mr. 
Fort  is  like  his  family,  uncompromisingly  Republican,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  politics.  He  is  an  indefatigable 
worker,  and  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the  party.  As  a  judge,  he  is  clear-headed  and  logical,  making  his  decisions 
only  after  thoroughly  comprehending  the  case,  and  seldom  seeing  them  disturbed  by  the  higher  courts.  In  1872  he 
married  Emily  C.  Stevens,  daughter  of  Phineas  Stevens,  formerly  a  well  known  banker  and  merchant  of  Lacon, 
now  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa. 

JAMES  HOYT.,  Lacon,  Marshall  Co.,  III. 

Mr.  Hoyt  was  born  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  in  1807,  and  comes  from  an  old  family  that  traces  its  lineage  back  to 
Simon  Hoyt  in  the  days  of  the  New  England  Pilgrims.  His  father  died  when  he  was  six  years  old,  and  when  15  he 
was  put  to  learning  the  tailor's  trade,  at  which  he  served  six  years.  When  21  he  went  south  and  found  a  situation 
in  New  Orleans.  Staid  seven  years,  and  then  went  to  New  York  and  opened  a  merchant  tailoring  establishment, 
which  he  conducted  five  years.  In  1834  he  married  Maria  Hitchcock  and  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  three  and  a 


APPENDIX ADDITIONAL    BIOGRAPHIES.  769 

half  years,  working  at  his  trade.  Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  survive.  His  wife  died  in  1860. 
He  came  to  Springfield,  111.,  in  1837,  staid  one  winter,  and  in  the  spring  of  1838,  with  wife,  two  children  and  three 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  cash,  landed  in  Marshall  county.  \t  first  they  lived  in  Joe  Benninglon's  cabin,  rented  land 
for  three  years,  and  then  bought  60  acres  from  Jesse  Kestor.  Worked  at  his  trade  winters  and  farmed  summers. 
Saw  hard  times.  Lived  on  cornmeal  and  fat  pork  for  six  months,  without  a  penny  in  the  house.  In  1853  married 
Eliza  J.  Mathis,  of  Oxbow,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Charles  and  Jennie.  Of  the  children  by  his  first  mar- 
riage. J.  H.  Hovt  lives  in  Dade  county.  Mo.,  and  is  county  judge;  Seymour  is  a  surveyor;  Julia  (Mrs.  Bobbitt)  lives 
in  Nebraska,  and  Sarah  (Mrs  Clifford)  on  Sandy.  Mr.  Uoyt  is  a  good  financier  and  able  manager.  He  has  realized 
from  the  products  of  his  farm  as  high  as  $6.000  in  a  single  year.  He  owns  421  acres  of  land,  the  greater  portion  un- 
der cultivation. 

WILLIAM  WRIGHT,  Lacon,  Marshall  Co. ,111. 

Mr.  Wright  was  born  near  Russellville,  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1S26,  and  comes  from  a  long  line  of  patriotic 
ancestors  who  settled  in  Virginia  prior  to  1750.  In  the  war  of  the  Revolution  they  fought  with  the  colonists  and  sev- 
eral were  killed  in  battle.  In  the  seccnd  war  with  Great  Britain,  two  or  three  of  his  uncles  lost  their  lives,  and  in 
the  hist  war  four  brothers  volunteered,  one  of  whom  died  in  the  service,  and  another  from  disease  contracted  there. 
Geo.  Wright  was  the  first  soldier  from  this  county  that  lost  his  life.  He  died  near  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  June  6,  1861. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Wright  was  born  near  Paris,  Bonham  county,  Ky.,  in  1797,  and  in  1800  emigrated  with  his  parents 
to  Brown  county.  Ohio,  where  in  1820  he  wedded  Rebecca  McLanghlin,  who  still  survives.  Mr.  William  Wright  set- 
tled in  Lacon  in  1851,  and  in  1853  married  Julia  A.  German,  born  in  Ohio  in  1830-  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  cooper 
and  followed  it  a  number  of  years,  wan  engaged  in  merchandising  with  the  late  Edwin  Jones,  and  later  by  himself. 
Was  appointed  U.  S.  storekeeper  in  1871.  and  has  held  the  position  for  nine  years.  Is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  a  friend  of  temperance  and  education,  and  a  respected  and  valued  citizen. 

DAVID  MITIR,  Lacon,  Marshall  Co.,  III. 

Mr.  Muir  was  born  in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  and  lived  there  and  in  an  adjoining  county  until  !he  had 
nearly  reached  man's  estate.  His  parents  dying  when  young  he  was  early  thrown  upoa  his  own  resources  for  a 
livelihood  and  education.  Drifting  west  he  engaged  to  labor  for  G.  L.  Barnes,  who  became  his  friend,  and  through 
him  made  the  acquaintance  of  G.  O.  Barnes  and  entered  bis  office  as  law  student.  He  was  a  hard  worker,  and  ap- 
plied all  his  energies  to  a  mastery  of  its  principles.  He  read  early  and  late,  picking  uu  information  valuable  for 
the  future,  and  storing  it  away  in  memory's  receptacles.  He  passed  a  brilliant  examination  and  began  practice. 
Itwasnoexperiment.be  knew  just  what  he  was  about.  The  tools  he  had  been  forging  and  sharpening  were  at 
command,  and  forthcoming  when  wanted.  He  took  rank  at  once  with  old  lawyers,  and  his  right  to  the  place  has 
never  been  disputed.  His  cases  are  worked  up  with  care,  and  he  never  goes  into  court  until  fully  prepared  and 
strongly  fortified,  and  the  result  is  he  seldom  fails 

JERRY  K.  FEAZEL,  Hopewell  Township,  Marshall  Co.,  III. 

Mr.  Feazel  was  born  in  Ohio,  July  4th,  1832.  The  family  is  of  German-Scotch  descent,  and  emigrated  from 
Virginia  to  Ohio  soon  after  marriage.  When  thirteen  years  ojd  they  moved  to  Illinois,  lived  one  season  on  the 
Bullman  place,  went  to  the  Larkin's  farm  in  Hopewell  and  lived  six  years,  and  then  on  to  the  prairie,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death .  His  father  died  in  1860.  His  mother  was  Hannah  Murphy.  They  had  12  children  of  whom  Jerry 
B.,  William  and  Hiram  reside  in  this  vicinity.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  received  his  education  in  part 
at  the  old  log  school  house  on  the  Broaddus  place.  In  1865  he  married  Eliza  Wright,  born  in  Madison  county,  Ohio. 
They  have  no  children,  but  are  educating  a  nephew  and  neice.  Mr,  Feazel  is  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  the  town- 
ship owning  420  acres  of  good  land.  He  owns  the  Edward  Harris  farm,  one  of  the  first  located  in  the  county.  His 
attention  is  largely  devoted  to  feeding  and  dealing  in  stock,  of  which  he  is  an  excellent  judge.  In  1876  himself  and 
wife  made  an  extended  journey  to  the  Pacific  coast,  visiting  all  the  places  of  interest  and  spending  considerable 
time  in  the  mining  district,  where  he  made  some  investments.  They  are  genial  and  hospitable, 

MELVIN  HULL,  ftichland  Tovnshij),  Marshall  County. 

Mr.  Hull  was  born  in  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  in  1830,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  who  located  in 
Richland  township,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since.  He  married  Miss  Hattie  Bayne  in  1871.  She  was  born  in  Brown 
county,  Ohio,  in  1850.  They  have  one  child,  Hattie,  born  in  1872.  Mrs.  Hull  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He 
owns  160  acres  of  land,  all  in  cultivation,  with  good  improvements.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  Hull.  His  father 
is  now  in  his  89th  year,  whose  long  and  Useful  life  is  drawing  to  an  honorable  close  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  draws  a  pension  from  government  for  services. 

ENOCH  SAWYER,  Hepewall  Townshirj,  Marshall  Co.,  JU. 

Mr.  Sawyer  lives  in  Hopewell  township,  Marshall  county.  111.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1816,  where 
his  father  was  a  planter,  merchant,  etc.,  owning  a  large  plantation,  which  he  sold  out,  and  with  his  family  set  out 
for  the  state  of  Illinois,  a  place  as  distant  in  those  days  to  emigrants  as  was  California  before  the  completion  of  the 
Pacific  R  R.  They  traveled  in  wagons  along  with  a  neighbor  named  Forbes,  and  reached  their  destination  in  1831, 
where  they  built  cabins  and  settled  down.  Enoch  Sawyer  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  in  1840  built  a  saw 
mill  on  Sandy  Creek,  which  he  run  for  a  number  of  years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Broaddun,  and  to  them  nine 
children  have  been  born,— Lundsford,  Jesse,  Lemuel  (dead),  Simeon,  Jordan,  Enoch,  Lucy,  Mark  and  Christopher 
(twins).  Lemuel  and  Jesse  enlisted  in  the  77th  regiment,  the  former  dying  at  Camp  Douglas  of  disease  contracted 


770  KKCORDS    OK    THE    OLDEN    TIME. 

in  the  service.  Jesse  served  through  the  war.  Mr.  Sawyer  is  a  large  farmer,  and  a  type  of  the  old  Virginia  planter — 
generous,  hospitable,  wedded  to  his  opinions,  a  warm  friend,  an  open  foe,  loves  hounds  and  hunters,  pays  his 
drills,  and  never  lays  awake  nights  for  fear  of  the  sheriff. 

ANDREW  SCIIUBTZ.  Henry  Tmi'-iiship,  Mar*li«ll  County,  III. 

Mr.  Schurtz  was  born  in  Hunttrdon,  New  York,  in  1806,  and  moved  to  New  York  city  in  1819,  where  he  learned 
his  trade  as  engineer  and  blacksmith,  and  was  foreman  in  old  James  P.  Allaire's  foundry  and  steamboat  building,  at 
$6  00  per  day,  seven  days  of  the  week.  He  moved  to  Cincinnati.  Ohio  in  1830.  where  he  followed  biacksmithing 
until  1842,  when  became  to  Aurora,  1)1,,  where  he  bought  320  acres  of  land  covering  the  present  site  of  thegr  *ater  part 
of  East  Aurora.  He  lived  here  until  1848,  and  purchased  1GOO  ac:ea  in  Whi'eside  township,  and  h  id  eight  quarters 
deeded  to  his  children  and  two  quarters  to  his  father  and  mother,  and  purchased  160  acres  for  his  cousin  and  fitted 
him  oul'  He  married  Miss  Jane  Nevins  in  1869,  She  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  had  eight  children,  all  married. 
Mrs.  Schurtz  died  in  1856.  He  married  his  present  wife.  Ann  Trimble,  in  1857.  She  was  born  in  Alexander,  Va..  and 
had  one  child — Celesta.  He  moved  to  Minnesota  in  1856,  and  pre-empted  6  0  acres  of  l;m  i.  which  they  still  own. 
He  lived  there  two  years  and  owned  and  run  the  Marshall  Hotel  at  Red  Wing  Landing,  in  Minn.,  and  fold  it  out  in 
1869,  and  gat  only  $300  more  than  he  gave  for  it  in  1856.  He  then  located  in  Henry,  and  startedfbis  business  in  1869. 
He  spent  nearly  a  year  in  Virginia  with  his  1  ruther-ir-Iaw.  and  saw  both  armies  at  bis  brother's  house  alternately. 
Mrs.  Scburtz  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterum  church.  He  w.w  school  director  and  road  commissioner  several  yean". 
In  February,  1866,  he  went  to  Marshall  county,  Ky.,  and  assisted  his  uncle,  who  is  a  large  farmer  there,  in  making 
plows,  t  tc.  He  then  went  to  Louisiana  and  Texan,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  stock  business.  Mr.  Shnrtz  re- 
mained there  some  13  months,  and  got  home  in  January,  18C9.  Has  followed  the  blacksmithing  business.  He  is 
going  to  Colorado  in  1880. 

L.  H.  FARR, 

Henry  township  Marshall  county,  111. 

D.  N.  BLOOD,  Henry  Township,  Marshall  Co.,  111. 

Mr.  Blood  was  born  in  Hollis,  New  Hampshire,  in  1813.  When  quite  young  he  moved  to  Boston  with  his 
larciits,  lived  in  several  places  in  Massachusetts,  and  finally  located  in  Rochester,  N.  Y..  in  1823.  They  came  to 
Fulton  county.  111.,  in  1845,  and  to  Marshall  county  in  1851.  In  1838  be  married  Miss  Saloma  Root.  8he  was  born 
in  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1814.  Thev  have  bad  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. —  William  M  ,  James  A., 
Mary  I.,  and  Daniel  N.  Jr.  Mr.  Blood  has  been  Fupervisor  several  terms,  school  director  ten  years,  and  has  served 
as  assessor.  He  owns  210  acres  of  choice  land,  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  w.th  a  first-data,  substantial  brick 
dwelling. 

THOMAS  ROBINSON, 

Stenben  township.  Marshall  county.  111. 

DAVID  BOYLE, 

Magnolia  township,  Pntnam  county.  111.         ^ 

TIMOTHY  WOOD, 

Senachwine  township,  Putnam  county,  111. 

GEORGE  SPARLING,  Senachwine  TO^V/N///^,  /'ntnam  Co.,  TIL 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  November  19th,  1819,  a  son  of  James  and 
Mary  Atkins  Sparling,  and  is  descended  from  the  Palatines,  a  body  ot  110  families  of  Germans  from  the  Palatinate 
on  thi  Rhine,  who  embarked  for  che  naw  world  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  and  were  shipwrecked  on  the  coast  of 
Ireland.  To  this  German  colony  is  due  the  honor  of  furnishing  the  first  Methodist  preacher  to  the  United  States  in 
the  person  of  Philip  Embury,  a  connection  of  the  Sparling  family.  When  Mr.  Sparling  was  but  two  years  old  his 
father  died  from  exposure  while  serving  as  a  soldier  in  the  Irish  rebellion  of  1822-23.  Three  brothers  of  his  mother 
were  then  living  in  America — two  in  Canada  and  one  in  Clara  county,  Indian*,  and  at  their  earnest  solicitation  she 
finally  in  1832  started  with  her  two  children,  George  and  a  sister  younger,  for  the  new  world.  Arrived  in  Qnebec, 
Mr.  Sparling,  then  a  boy  of  12,  was  prostrated  with  ship  fever  and  taker  to  the  hospital,  and  before  his  recovery  his 
mother  fell  a  victim  to  the  cholera,  at  that  time  alarmingly  prevalent  and  fatal  in  Quebec.  He  recovered  to  find 
In insi-1  r  an  orphan  among  stranger*,  frantic  with  grief  at  the  loss  of  his  mother,  and  unable  to  gain  any  trace  of  his 
sister.  He  found  a  home  with  Dr,  Marsden.  hospital  physician,  and  worked  in  his  dispensary  about  two  months, 
when  learning  that  hi3  sister  had  been  sent  by  the  Bishop  of  Quebec  to  their  uncle,  Hear  Montreal,  he  availed  him- 
self of  the  Bishop's  generous  assistance  in  his  own  behalf  and  joined  his  sister  at  the  home  of  his  uncle  Philip, 
where  he  was  received  as  one  risen  from  the  dead.  After  living  with  one  Captain  vVilliams  abont  two  years,  where 
he  had  an  excellent  home  and  was  kindly  treated,  his  uncle  Robert,  at  whose  instance  the  family  had  come  to 
America,  and  who  lived  in  Upper  Canada,  40  miles  north  ot  Toronto,  claimed  custody  of  the  children  and  took  them 
to  his  home.  Here  they  were  first  compelled  to  do  hard  work,  threshing,  clearing,  hoeing,  planting  and  other  work 
incident  to  a  farm  in  a  new  country.  One  year  of  this  life  determined  young  Sparling  to  quit  his  uncle  and  learn 
a  trade,  and  he  bound  himself  to  a  carpenter  for  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of  one-half  his  term  of  apprentice- 


APPENDIX GEORGE    SPARLING.  771 

ship  his  employer  went  into  the  rebellion  of  1837,  and  being  defeated  was  compelled  U>  leave  the  country.  Young 
Sparling  was  left  in  charge  of  his  employer's  property  and  business,  and  faithfully  attended  to  it  until  the  follow- 
ing spring,  when  a  letter  from  his  employer  summoned  him  to  Niagara  Falls,  where  he  bad  taken  a  contract.  Here 
they  worked  two  or  three  months:  then  went  to  Tonawanda,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Erie  Canal ;  then  to  Buffalo,  Cleve- 
land, Detroit,  Mackinaw,  Milwaukee,  and  finally  to  the  lumber  regions  of  Michigan,  where  they  worked  at  their 
trade  until  both  were  prostrated  with  ague,  when  they  embraced  the  first  opportunity  and  we  nt  to  Chicago.  Here 
they  worked  some  time  for  Mr.  Sherman,  proprietor  of  the  Sherman  House,  and  for  Mr.  Ryan,  of  the  Vermont 
House,  refusing  in  pavment  for  their  labor  town  lots  upon  the  present  court  house  site  at  the  rate  of  one  lot  each 
for  a  month's  work.  From  Chicago  they  came  to  Dixon,  III.,  when  Mr.  Sparling's  employer  returned  to  Canada  for 
his  family.  On  the  journey  to  Dixon  Mr.  Sparling  was  prostrated  by  a  severe  attack  of  bilious  fever,  which  lasted 
about  one  month,  and  just  as  he  was  recovering  from  that  he  became  again  a  victim  to  the  ague,  from  which  he  had 
Hed  in  Michigan,  and  which  bung  to  him  for  six  years.  The  winter  succeeding  his  arrival  in  Dixon  he  entered  a 
claim,  but  abandoned  it  in  the  spring  and  bought  another  partially  improved.  On  this  he  erected  a  log  house,  barn 
and  corn-cribs,  and  cultivated  ten  acres  of  corn,  working  at  his  trade  a  portion  of  the  time.  In  January,  1840,  he 
came  to  Crow  Meadow.  Putnam  county,  to  work  at  his  trade,  subsequently  disposing  of  his  cMm  and  settling  at 
Crow  Meadow,  among  other  jobs  helping  to  build  the  Bradley  store-house  in  Henry,  the  first  frame  house  finished 
in  that  place.  His  summer's  work  amounted  to  $200,  for  which  he  took  the  place  upon  which  he  now  lives.  Jan- 
uary 12th.  1813,  he  married  Adeline  Morgan,  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  daughter  of  Ahinsun  and  Melinda  Peters 
Morgan,  and  settled  down  to  farming  and  the  development  of  the  fishery  interests  at  Senachwine  Lake,  He  bought 
the  most  valuable  tracts  for  fishery  purposes,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  some  800  acres,  and  for  35  years  car- 
ried on  the  fishing  business  on  an  extensive  scale,  his  receipts  for  much  of  the  time  prior  to  the  building  of  the 
Henry  dam  averaging  $3  000  per  year-  But  the  construction  of  the  dam  ruined  the  business  and  rendered  the  hun- 
dreis  of  acres  in  which  he  bad  invested  his  savings  almost  worthless.  April  llitli.  1857,  Mrs.  Sparling  died  at  the 
age  of  35  years  1  month  and  7  days,  leaving  eight  children,— George  Edward,  born  Nov.  3d,  1843:  James  Alanson, 
May  26th,  1846:  Mary  Melinda,  Feb.  22. 1848;  Helen  Elizabeth,  Jan.  27,  1850;  William  Henry,  Jan.  16th,  1852;  John 
Stanley,  Dec.  10. 1853,  and  Adeline  and  Albert,  twins,  born  August  15th,  1856.  Albert  died  Awjust  25th,  1857,  and 
James  \lansun  died  May  10th,  1863.  August  8th.  1858.  Mr.  Sparling  married  Sarah  McClung,  daughter  of  Harvey 
and  Sarah  Bird  McClung.  She  died  Feb.  8tb,  1871,  at  the  age  of  35  years,  5  months  and  14  days,  leaving  six  chil- 
dren,—Martha  Jane,  born  May  2<i  1859;  Sarah  Evalena,  born  Sept.  1st.  1860;  Kate  Bird,  born  Jan.  3d,  1862;  Samuel 
Martell,  born  June  8th,  1864;  Lincoln  Frederick,  born  Sept.  25th,  1865;  Embury  Ilarrison,  born  Sept.  27th,  186T  Au- 
gust 18th,  1874,  he  married  Margaret  McElroy,  widow  of  James  Sparling,  his  cousin,  she  having  four  children  by  her 
first  mwriage— Charlotta,  Violet,  Nettie  and  Annie.  The  result  of  this  union  is  two  children— Susan  Mabel  Atkins, 
born  Jan.  3d.  1876;  Homer  Lewis,  born  Jan.  19th,  1878.  In  1844  a  tws-year  old  daughter  of  Lewis  Thompson  being 
fleserted  by  its  mother,  Mr.  Sparling  adopted  and  raised  her  until  she  was  14  years  old,  making  in  all  21  children  he 
has  had  to  care  for,  9  boys  and  12  girls.  Seven  of  the  girls  are  school  teachers.  With  the  exception  of  four  dead 
one  living  in  Iowa,  they  are  all  residents  of  Senachwine  township,  Putnam  county,  with  the  addition  of  ten  grand 
children. 


772  RECORDS   OF   THE   OLDEN   TIME. 


ERRATA. 


Chapter  XLI.,  page  422,  in  the  description  of  Belle  Plain  township,  fourth  line,  for  "thirty-six  townships" 
lead  "thirty-Biz  sections." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 

Hennepin  township,  Putnam  county,  page  645,  second  biography,  "John  Bunges"  should  be  "John  Bonges." 

Hennepin  township,  Putnam  county,  page  644,  in  the  biography  of  Jacob  Zenor,  for  "Alvina"  Skeels  read 
"Elvira"  Skeels. 

Bennepin  township,  Putnam  county,  page  613,  in  the  biography  of  Mrs.  Flora  Zenor,  first  line,  "H.  K."  should 
be  "H.  B."  Zenor. 

Magnolia  township,  Putnam  county,  page  655,  in  the  biography  of  Mr.  Morrell,  the  initials  should  be  "L.C." 
instead  of  S.  C.  . 

Magnolia  township,  Putnam  county,  page  656,  for  "John  Van  Horn"  read  " J.  V.  Home. " 

Laoon  township,  Marshall  county,  page  691,  in  the  biography  of  Mr.  Speck,  for  "Lewis"  read  "Louis." 

Hennepin  township,  Putnam  county,  page  646,  second  biography,  for  "James  8.  Zena"  read  "James  Zenor." 

Evans  Township,  Marshall  county,  page  720,  in  the  Gants  biography,  read  "Edwin,  bom  Nov.  14, 1850,"  instead 
of  "Nov.  19, 1852."    Nathaniel  Gants  died  Feb.  21, 1860.    Emma  died  Sept.  27, 1857. 

Evans  Township,  Marshall  county,  page  719,  fifth  biograpny,  for  "John  Algoe"  read  "John  Alger." 


